I’m just going to be real honest with you guys here. This third pregnancy has gotten off to a pretty miserable start for me. I hate to actually verbalize that, for fear of coming off ungrateful or insensitive, but it’s just the fact of the matter – this is not a fun time for me.
I do feel incredibly blessed to carry another miracle, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy or a super fun time for ol’ Mama Bear. It can be a blessing and hard at the same time.
I don’t know why I always seem to miraculously forget just how debilitating and all-consuming the first trimester (plus some) is for me. But, I do. And then I’m in the thick of it again and I’m just not a very pleasant person to be around…it’s hard to even be around myself. Ha! I’m just… BLAH. That’s literally the best way to describe it I think.
There are a few reasons why this third go-around is “so much worse” for me than my first two, but I’ll get to those in a second. First, I’ll share a bit of background on my previous pregnancies.
My First Two Pregnancies
My first two pregnancies were much the same. I think with my oldest it was a tad better because I only recall being sick around 11am and then it would hit me hard around 4pm and throughout the evening. If I recall correctly, I was nauseous until about 18 weeks with him.
With my second, I think it was around 16 weeks that it finally began to let up a bit. I was nauseous and actually puked a few times. For some reason, brushing my teeth was very difficult and often triggered the gagging – not that you really care to know that, but hey, I’m an open book today.
And now, this third little parasite (I do love you, little one!) that I’m so graciously growing is giving me a run for my money. As I reflect and write all this down now (currently 11 ½ weeks), I’m beginning to think that I may actually be even sicker this time around (sigh).
From just before six weeks, I have been on the verge of barfing virtually ever second of the day, with the exception of when I’m sleeping. I’m on medicine again (like I was with the others), which is a lifesaver. It seems to take a good chunk of the edge off for me (I take Diclegis for anyone curious. Please consult your healthcare professional!), and then it wears off around 4 or 5pm. It does make me extra tired, though. I’d take that over the miserable feeling of nausea any day.
Why this Pregnancy is different
Here are the reasons why I think this has been a tougher mental hurdle for me this third pregnancy:
- This is the first pregnancy that I’ve been at home (not working outside the home) raising two kiddos raising to boot. Looking back, I definitely think it was best for me to have somewhere to be, and responsibilities to take care of every day outside of my house. Basically, distractions to keep my mind busy and focused on something other than the sickness. Instead, I’m just sitting here in my own misery, keeping children alive, and surviving one day at a time.
- It’s January in Iowa. January is a long
yearmonth in general, but when you’re in your first months of pregnancy it is not good, my friend. Not good at all. It’s cold. I just want to hibernate, but I really need Vitamin D, and it’s just a lot of work to go outside, ya know? And I’m not talking about getting myself bundled up (although that’s a lot of work, too), I’m talking about getting two other small, dependent children all bundled up and ready for the winter elements. It’s just a lot, y’all. By the end of the month, I am straight up itching – like I’ve got mosquito bites all over me – to get out of dodge. - Um, it’s 2021, and I never thought I’d have to say this, but pandemic life is not super great. It wasn’t great prior to getting knocked up, but now that I am, I’m just plain over it. 2020 was a long year, and now it’s trickling into 2021 and the worst trimester of my pregnancy… yay.
But guess what? This is what I wanted! My husband will be the first to tell you… I wanted a late summer baby. By golly, that’s just what I’m getting. I guess it’s time to buck up and put my big mama pants on. I’m really looking forward to the second trimester; it’s my all-time favorite for so many reasons… most of all, no more sickness!!
17 Week Update
I’ve been getting that second-trimester energy the past two weeks and I feel like a whole new person – like my normal self. THANK YOU, LORD! Looking back on my writing from above, I think it’s clear that I was literally in the thick of a miserable first trimester. It comes off like that for sure. Ha! As always, I feel it’s important to share the dark days with the bright days.
My reality in those early days was fairly dark and dim for many reasons. But, as mothers, from day one, we persist, don’t we? It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. Bringing babies into this world is not as glamorous or easy as our society and the movies can make it out to be.
We are women; we can do hard things.
Thankfully, I had the experience of previous pregnancies to remind me often that this too shall pass. And it did!
Here’s to all of the mamas who don’t actually enjoy the first trimester of pregnancy… big hugs to you all! And to all of you mamas who breeze through the first trimester, I hope labor is hell for you. Hahahahaha! I AM 100% TOTALLY KIDDING! I don’t wish that on anyone, I pinky promise.
So anyway, it’s been a rough few months for ol’ Mackenzy… welcome to my pity party, thanks for stopping by!
Tips and Tricks to Survive the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Now, let’s lighten things up and I’ll stop being such a Debbie Downer! I thought I’d share the ways in which I coped and survived my first trimester of pregnancy (in no particular order).
Gum
If you’re suffering from an excess of saliva (a common pregnancy symptom), eating gum on the regular really helped me, especially when I was nauseous and had extra saliva! Don’t go anywhere without it. And it needs to be a good minty kind. I like Orbit.
Saltine Crackers
It’s true, these do seem to help for some reason. I wasn’t big on them with the other pregnancies, but they really helped a few times during this one.
Carbonated Drinks
I lost all craving for caffeine, especially coffee, early on. But I’d often still crave the carbonation. I drank Ginger Ale a lot with my first two. This time I liked Sierra Mist and Cherry Coke. I couldn’t ever drink the whole can, but it seemed to help settle my tummy for a bit. I also tried carbonated water (La Croix) a few times, but it didn’t quite have the same effect. Mixing a bit of a Crystal Light packet into the La Croix gives it a bit more flavor.
Water
I am a big water drinker outside of pregnancy; it’s my drink of choice. But, during pregnancy I get to a point where I’m still thirsty but feel like I’ve drunk too much and could puke it all up (sigh). So, I have to switch it up. I’ve been using the Crystal Light packets in my water, and they really help! Raspberry Lemonade is my favorite.
Snacks
I am not a snacker normally. Therefore, it’s always hard for me to break my meals up into smaller, more frequent sessions. I just can’t do it. But, I realized it does help to have a couple of simple snacks in between meals to help with nausea and balance blood sugar levels. Cheese and crackers always go over well. Pretzels, fruit popsicles, etc. Just try not to let yourself get hangry…it does not end well when you’re suffering from morning sickness already.
Tart Candy
Again, I’m not a candy person, but there are a couple of things I’ve picked up over the years. One is Jolly Ranchers! Their tartness helps with nausea and the sucking also helps with the saliva issue! I also tried starbursts and suckers. They also make ginger candies specifically to ease morning sickness. I couldn’t stomach them, so these candies were my go-to instead.
Bland Foods
I know you’re trying so hard to eat healthy and nutritiously, but I found that the blander the food, the better it made me feel. Now is not the time to try exotic foods. Stick to basics! PB&Js, cheese quesadillas, meat/cheese/crackers, tostitos chips, etc. I also had aversions to meats with all pregnancies. Only chicken of the breaded variety appealed to me, so that was often my protein of choice.
Once you get to feeling a bit better you can focus on healthy and nutritious meals. This is also another reason why taking your prenatal vitamin is so important – it helps to fill in the gaps when necessary.
Sleep
The exhaustion in early pregnancy is real. Make sure you listen to your body and really rest when needed. Take naps, go to bed early, etc. Sleep is very important. And remember, your level of productivity does not determine your worth. Besides that, even when you’re sleeping during pregnancy, you’re growing a human being. That’s enough productivity for a day in my book. 🙂
Support
Listen, my husband is a real-life saint. He is so good to me, pregnant or not. I don’t know that I could find a better partner if I got to handpick someone. I know without a doubt, I would not make it through my first trimesters without him. That sounds dramatic, but damn, it’s so true. He’s been a Godsend through every pregnancy and our miscarriage (you can read about that here).
My point being, I hope you have an excellent support system, whether it’s a spouse, family, or friends. It can truly make a huge difference in your well-being while pregnant. I’m not saying we don’t have our bad days, but I am 100% saying teamwork makes the dream work, y’all.
Words of encouragement for Surviving Your First Trimester of Pregnancy
Just remember, it’s okay to just muddle through those miserable early weeks of pregnancy in survival mode. Focus on what you can control to feel as well as possible, and let the rest go. I know this is hard, especially when you’re accustomed to doing it all, but just relax. I promise you’ll have more energy in the second trimester and you’ll feel so much better about things!
Love,
Your Fellow Mama Friend!
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