This post is for all my friends out there who are moms, pregnant, or just really savvy about pregnancy issues.
Every pregnancy is different and so far mine has been pretty good. It's not going to sound like it in a second when I share some of my more negative side effects, but I am truly thankful for how it's gone so far. I've heard a lot of different stories. Everything from those lucky women who never really have any side effects and love being pregnant to the women who stayed nauseas, uncomfortable, sick and in pain for the 9 month+ duration.
I'll be honest. I wasn't in the best shape prior to getting pregnant. I'd put on some weight, wasn't exercising or eating as healthy as I'd have liked and since nausea is a normal symptom for me around my TOTM I was prepared for the worst when it comes to morning sickness. Prepared to have it, but in no way ready for it. I can handle pain, I can handle exhaustion, and I can handle being sick...but nausea is the one type of sick that I loathe. The few times in my life that I've had a stomach bug and thrown up I have been miserable and completely debilitated.
So here's what's going on so far. If you have any fabulous remedies that you swear by, by all means share the love!
- Morning Sickness
I've definitely been struggling with nausea and throwing up a little. But to be honest it's not as bad as I thought it would be and I'm managing it okay. I think I know everything there is to know about morning sickness and all the possible remedies at this point so I don't know that advice is really needed. I'm only 2 weeks from being into my second trimester so I think it is all starting to taper off anyway. I wonder if this extreme hunger will taper off as well?
- Stretch Marks
I'm already getting stretch marks!! Ahh! I scar easy and have sensitive skin so I'm not super surprised but I'm still dismayed because I haven't even gotten to the serious stretching yet. Any suggestions??? Who knows the best creams and remedies to prevent them!? Does anything actually work?
- Dry Skin
I don't know if this is pregnancy related or not but I have never had dry skin like I have now. Like flaking, peeling, no-amount-of-lotion-helps-and-I-use-the-good-stuff dry.
- Acne
I've never been so broken out in my life. I've always struggled a little with my skin, but this is obviously hormonal since it popped up when I got pregnant and has stuck around ever since. I know there are a lot of things you can't use on your skin when you're pregnant so I have been more or less just "dealing with it." My usual products/routine just aren't helping.
- Self-confidence
This is abstract I know, but I already feel really frumpy. Weight gain, hormonal acne, dry skin, being so tired that I skip make-up in the morning...since I'm not even to the major body changes this scares me a little bit. I'm not a really insecure person, but I just don't feel attractive right now. I hope the second trimesters energy and "glow" give me a pick me up after the last few weeks of "blah".
So those are my first trimester pregnancy woes. Not too bad, I'm pretty happy about things so far. I know each trimester will bring different challenges and different joys, but admittedly, I'm most excited about the second. I'm ready to have more energy, be past the nausea (hopefully!), and for everything to start to feel more real. The second trimester brings feeling the baby kick, a baby bump, and finding out the sex of our baby!
So if you have advice or want to warn me about something that's coming...I'd love to hear your pregnancy stories! What parts did you love? hate? which trimester was your favorite? least favorite?
