When I found out I was pregnant, I thought it would be a smooth ride. Boy, was I mistaken! Just 40 days in, the nausea and fatigue hit me hard, and my pregnancy app reminds me that I have 249 days to go. Here are five key things I wish I had been aware of during those early days of pregnancy:
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Keeping It Under Wraps is Tough
Honestly, I wrote this post partially to share my joyful news. So, here it is, lovely readers: I’m expecting! Please keep it a secret for now. If you feel like shouting your news from the rooftops, go for it. But for someone like me, the anxiety about potential miscarriage makes it hard to share. I’m over the moon about the baby, but I’d rather keep things low-key until I feel more secure in the pregnancy. It’s definitely a challenge to keep it to myself!
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Sobriety During the Holidays is No Fun
I discovered my pregnancy just before Thanksgiving. As family and friends gathered with their bottles of wine, I realized I couldn’t partake. Instead, I treated myself to two pieces of pumpkin pie. Surviving Thanksgiving was only the beginning; I started counting the festive occasions I’d miss out on, like Christmas and New Year’s. Now, I’m not a heavy drinker, but I do enjoy a glass of wine or three, so this abrupt halt is quite the adjustment. And no, I didn’t eat the rest of that pie all by myself later or send my partner for discount pie the next day.
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Tears Come Easily
Before pregnancy, I had my moments of emotional vulnerability, often crying at sad commercials. But now? It’s a whole new level! Since I found out I was pregnant, I’ve shed more tears than I did watching Titanic multiple times. Whether it’s a mean comment from a family member or a touching news story about a single dad, the tears just flow. Let’s hope this doesn’t last for the entire nine months, because I’m quickly running out of tears.
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No Romance, Please!
Before getting pregnant, I was all about intimacy—after all, that’s what led to my current situation! But now, my husband greets me daily with hopeful eyes, and sadly, it’s never the day for romance. Feeling nauseous and exhausted doesn’t exactly boost the mood. I read that pregnancy hormones can increase libido for some, but for me, it’s had the opposite effect. Fingers crossed that the second trimester brings a change for both our sakes!
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It’s Wild to Think There’s a Baby Growing Inside
This realization is perhaps the hardest to wrap my head around. I mean, I saw the positive pregnancy test, but aside from feeling nauseous, it’s surreal to think my body is creating another human. When will it truly feel real? Maybe when I hear the heartbeat or learn the baby’s gender? It’s mind-boggling and a bit frightening to know that a little embryo, the size of a chocolate chip (I love food analogies), is going to grow into a watermelon-sized baby. And it can’t stay inside forever!
Is this your first pregnancy? What do you wish you had known about early pregnancy? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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In summary, early pregnancy can be challenging with emotional ups and downs, lifestyle adjustments, and the realization of bringing a new life into the world. Being prepared for these surprises can make the journey a little easier.