Thank you all for your lovely notes on Monday’s announcement post. I am excited and very hopeful, because I feel like the timing worked out really nicely. I also really REALLY don’t want to have to start all over (if something were to go wrong . . .) because:
THE
FIRST
TRI
SUCKS.
You’d think that I’d remember that, since I’ve done it before. And yes, I consulted my own blog to see if in fact it was this bad: maybe. But man. I’m older. Grumpier. More tired. VERY tired.
Just to give some objective details in case I ever go through this again (doubtful, but again if this doesn’t stick, then it could):
SLEEP: I want to sleep all the time. Seriously. The second Annabel falls asleep (Cameron goes to bed 15-30 minutes before she does), I head upstairs and pass out. Sometimes it’s 8pm. Last night I slept 10 hours. And I’m still tired.
BUMP: I’m 9 weeks and can feel my uterus (lying down) halfway to my umbilicus, especially in the morning. Added to lovely and oh-so-comfortable bloat, I look . . pregnant. At a time when most women are not really showing at all. I’m self-conscious, because you’re not really supposed to tell people that you’re pregnant this early on (though I do not believe in superstition, nor do I think a loss would be something that needs to be hidden under veils of secrecy) so it’s . . awkward. Also I am down to about 3 outfits that fit. I’ve gained 3-4 lbs (I always gain more in the first tri than one is ‘supposed’ to, but it evens out later) but it feels like more.
NAUSEA/EATING: I don’t think my aversions and nausea were this strong in prior pregnancies. Too bad, because it’s definitely what is bothering me most. I have some degree of nausea ALL DAY LONG except when I am actively chewing and swallowing food. The second I stop it comes roaring back. It gets exponentially worse if I dare to go more than 2.5-3 hrs without food.
I only seem to like:
– sandwiches (of course would LOVE a good deli turkey sandwich probably b/c I’m not supposed to eat that)
– cheese
– plain yogurt
– fruit esp berries
– bagels & cream cheese
I hate:
– chocolate
– coffee (but I drink a cup anyway in the morning b/c I can’t add caffeine withdrawal to my misery)
– sweet things other than fruits and sometimes jam
– mostly everything else
Honestly, if I could get rid of the nausea and aversions I’d be over the moon. It appears that at 12-13 weeks things really improved for me last time (not sure with Annabel) so I’m hoping that I’m on the downslope . . . maybe . . though I don’t feel that way.
EXERCISE: Due to being tired & nauseated, running is not going so well. I went 3 times last week for about 45 min each (adding 2 min walk breaks between miles b/c it’s getting HOT and I’m short of breath and tired) but only on Tuesday so far this week. I have not done any other kind of exercise for months. It’s pretty lame. I’m hoping when I get my 2nd tri energy surge back I can resume some barre or prenatal yoga.
KIDS: Yep, we told Annabel & Cameron. My miscarriage risk at this point is ~5-6%, and my risk of chromosomal anomalies is still <1%, though it is more than double what it was last time (!). SO, while there is a relatively small but real possibility of having to give them sad news at a later point, I felt the benefits of a) explaining why mommy doesn’t feel good and b) letting them share our joy (because there has to be SOMETHING positive in the first tri!?) outweighed that risk. I also came clean at work for the same reasons. Plus, honestly I think the secrecy just adds to the torture. I hate secrets!
TTC: As many of you know, the road to Annabel’s pregnancy was tough and long. Cameron was a very happy surprise, and #3 was – well, faster than expected. I took out my copper IUD in Feb, so . . yeah! I am sharing this in the hopes that some people with primary infertility (seriously, pre-Annabel I never ovulated AT ALL) might have different experiences down the road. Very thankful (and still guarded but thankful things went so quickly up to this point).
Looking forward to: Genetic screening blood draw at 10-11 weeks. Cannot WAIT to have those results. (Not for gender, honestly I don’t care, but for all of the chromosomal info).
SOOOO – I think that’s it for updates. I will return with some non-pg-themed posts soon I hope.
13 Comments
I can completely relate! I am 14 weeks 2 days with my first and haven’t felt nauseous for three days (and no vomiting for a week) so i think its getting better, but I still feel like I am coming down with influenza every evening (hot and cold, achey, mild headache, and just generally blah!). I haven’t felt like myself since week 6 and at week 11 had viral gastroenteritis on top of all of it! I am a nurse practitioner but havent told work yet. Im not really showing so hoping to hold off til 16 weeks after we know gender! Congratulations! also looking forward to following along with your pregnancy!
Re: the turkey
I have a friend that swears by the Butterball brand turkey breast for sandwiches instead of deli meat. It’s a whole, boneless breast that comes either fresh or frozen (depending on your local grocery store). You roast it in the oven and slice it up for sandwiches. Since you actually cook it there’s no worries about Listeria. Good luck! Nausea is the worst!!
Ok but this is my main takeaway from this post and your earlier first tri posts…. you are still running!!! In my mind you are such a bada** for that!! I had terrible nausea during the first trimester and I think from around 5-13 weeks could manage nothing more than walks. I normally run/swim/lift regularly so this was so demoralizing. I’m so impressed that you are still managing to get out there even while feeling bad. Go SHU!
Sounds like your running is very admirable! Remember to give yourself a break. You’re growing another human! Glad we are doing this again at the same time! We were opposite in the first tri and didn’t want anyone to know, didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t tell our parents til 12 weeks. Mostly in denial we were really doing this again. Still can’t believe it.
I cannot believe you are still running, that’s amazing! I felt like total hell and could NOT for the life of me work out during either of my pregnancies. Its funny that you are averse to sugar, that was the one thing that kept the sickness at bay for me—-continuous oral infusions of sucrose.
I really really really hope you feel better soon!!!!
Hi Sarah! I’m a first time commentor; long time reader. I too am 37 and currently 14 weeks pregnant with my 3rd. I’m having a very similar experience with this pregnancy. This by far, has been the most miserable and challenging 1st Trimester out of all three. I was sick as a dog from week 5- 13 and am just now starting to feel a little better. I don’t know if it’s my age, the chaos of two toddlers or perhaps it’s gods way of reminding me that 3 kids is it- i certainly don’t think I could go through the 1st trimester again! Just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone on this journey. I hope that you continue to blog as I find you so refreshing. Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and cheers to feeling better soon.
Sending you hugs and love xoxoxox.
Long-time reader (since before you had kids) and first time commenter. I just wanted to say that I LOVE everything you write. Ps: My BFF would go to firehouse subs and get some of their deli sandwiches because they have the ability to steam them fyi.
OOH, good to know.
I did a publix sub with provolone today (no meat) and it hit the spot, so that’s another good option 🙂 The jalopenos and olives were really what I wanted so I didn’t even care the actual meat was missing!
Congratulations! I missed the announcement but I’m really happy for you! Glad you decided to go for #3. Thanks for being so vulnerable and personal and intimate with us!
I’m new to your blog… and Congratulations!! Though mine is about to graduate high school, I remember the first trimester well! Best wishes to you and hope that the nausea and fatigue pass soon!!
Congratulations Sarah, so happy for you and your family!
Yay, so happy for you guys 🙂 hope the annoying symptoms go away soon