I wrote this post when I was about 7 weeks pregnant, for the record, but couldn't publish it for obvious reasons. I just wanted to add that since then, the sickness and the crazy tiredness have somehow eased off, and I'm feeling much better now. I've also generally gotten more comfortable with the idea of going through this again and adding a new member to our family. So don't feel too sorry for me!
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It has been nearly four years since I was last pregnant, and I guess I had forgotten a lot of things… Like how quickly it all starts, for instance. My sister Some amazingly lucky women make it to say fifteen weeks with their stomach as flat as ever, whereas within a week of finding out my midsection had bulged about two inches (yes, we measured), and just like that, my figure was gone. My favorite jeans, purchased only a month before as a reward for having lost nearly 15 pounds since the Holidays, didn’t fit anymore. Sorry if that sounds whiny and selfish and missing the point; I know it is, it’s just that this, plus the overnight doubled-in-size-always-hurting boobs, the morning sickness (which I never really had with LP and oh my do I understand now), the sudden, completely overwhelming tiredness and the feeling out of it most of the time completely took me by surprise. Other ones include:
The overactive nose
Seemingly overnight, the world has turned into an aggression of smells. A coworker has a box of spiced herbal tea on his desk, probably has been there for months without me noticing. Now I get really queasy just passing by, as I am if someone drinks hot chocolate five desks down. The slightest smell turns my stomach, from people's (good and bad) to garbage to about any food (especially fast food), to the way the floor mat smells at daycare. I’ve stopped wearing perfume, scented lotions and soaps, switched to a scent-free antiperspirant, and my shampoo makes me gag. Why is that? Do you think that in Neanderthal years, pregnant women needed a heightened smell to protect them from eating something that could be dangerous for their baby? It’s not really fun, but I still find it a little fascinating.
The bleeding
No, not that kind of bleeding, obviously. I bleed a little every time I blow my nose, brush my teeth or floss. The last time around, I would call it “vampire flossing”, and it would absolutely freak M out, because blood would actually be gushing and pouring into my mouth. I know the reason for this one: enlarged blood vessels that will keep on expanding to accommodate a much bigger volume of blood (hence the bleeding will probably get worse).
The crazy dreams
I read this is normal and due to your hormones. They started pretty much immediately, as well (as they did the first time). I’m talking about extremely intense, vivid, exhausting dreams I have pretty much every night (such as M cheating on me in my face and laughing at me, fun stuff like that) and I suppose contribute to the tiredness. Which brings me to:
The sleepless nights
Granted, sleep has never been my forte. But it's the same as it was with LP, the minute I get pregnant, the minute I lose my ability to sleep through the night. My pattern is like this: 8:45, I crash into a coma-like state that lasts between 4 to 5 hours, if I'm lucky. Then I gradually regain conscience, being more and more aware of my surroundings, until I'm still just as tired but wide awake, unable to unwire my brain. So I toss and turn, my mind racing, writing posts in my head or spending hours being noxious at the thought of this salad I had three weeks ago. Note to anyone who wants to invite me over: I'm usually pretty easygoing, but please don't serve me romaine with pickled beets and marinated wild mushrooms for the next little while. (Thank you.) Then, between 4 and 5, I knock myself unconscious again, usually about 20 minutes or so before the alarm goes off. Which means I just don't get up to exercise, and wake up too late, all disheveled and groggy. I have found one thing that helps somehow: turning my alarm clock against the wall. Very basic but I seem to be better at falling back to sleep if I'm clueless about the time I have left.
Anything similar/different in your case?
5 comment(s):
How interesting! I didn't realize that all sorts of smells could make you feel that way. And didn't know about the bleeding or sleep thing either. Glad that you're feeling better :)
Have a great weekend! xoxo
I have similar weird and intense dreams. I had similar sleepless nights during my 1st prengancy, but so far it's OK this time (I'm crossing my fingers).
My worst "surprise" is pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome, which started earlier this time and is a lot worse, waking me at night sometimes. I just hope that it will go as quickly as it did last time (completely gone 2 weeks after giving birth). In case it doesn't, at least then I'll have access to more treatment options, the classical ones (besides wearing wrist braces), like antiinflammatory drugs, are prohibited during pregnancy. I remembered having had carpal tunnel during my 1st pregnancy, but I had kind of forgotten how big a handicap it is, making such silly things as brushing teeth and eating with utensils suddenly painful and difficult.
Que de bons souvenirs!!! Durant le 1er trimestre, mon sommeil était très agité. Je bougeais sans arrêt, au point de réveiller mon chum, et je transpirais énormément pendant la nuit. J'étais comme dans un demi sommeil et j'avais l'impression de me battre avec moi-même...
Pour moi, les symptômes (nombreux et intenses...) du 1er trimestre sont disparus du jour au lendemain, au début de la 12e semaine!
C'est fou à quel point tout le corps est engagé dans la grossesse. Quand on regarde une femme enceinte, on voit le ventre qui pousse, mais on se rend rarement compte que c'est son corps tout entier qui est en train de changer. C'est fascinant!
Je te souhaite de profiter pleinement du 2e trimestre et de retrouver un peu d'énergie.
All of the above, to some extent. Was glad to see earlier that you are finally feeling second-trimestery. That first bit is... ugh.
Oh my goodness! That does not sound pleasant. I really hope you are able to sleep. All in the name of creating a miracle!
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