Happy Monday! I decided to start this week off with a (quite overdue) first trimester recap. Now that Paul and I are 20 weeks along, I can look back and really digest the surprise, excitement, and stress of the first trimester.
For those unfamiliar with pregnancy cycles, the first trimester is from the first to the thirteenth week of pregnancy. Of course, most women won’t find out they are pregnant until they are already making their way through the first few months. For us, we found out just after week four when I missed my normal menstrual cycle.
Find Out We’re Pregnant
Paul and I knew we wanted kids and decided to start ‘not trying’ after we got back from our honeymoon. From reading many blogs and articles about pregnancy, I concluded it would take at least six months to get pregnant. We are very lucky to have gotten pregnant in that first cycle. That said, it was pretty shocking!
When we first found out I immediately felt stressed. I am an overthinker so immediately I was running through both the excitement and the numbers. In my head I was thinking Oh my god… can we afford this? Will they be healthy? Is the house ready for a baby?! but in my heart, I was elated – arguably more excited than I’ve ever been. I started tearing up when I read the test and just couldn’t stop moving… it was like a sugar rush.
Having been together for more than ten years at this point, Paul and I knew we wanted (and were ready) for kids. All stressors side, I knew this baby was going to have some pretty sweet parents.
From Marathon Training to Another Type of Marathon
When you think about pregnancy, you can see the resemblance to a marathon. Much like training for a race or big event, pregnancy is your body learning how to adapt to some serious changes. During pregnancy, you experience all sorts of unexpected systems, new emotions, discomfort, and many other things.
I was at the tail end of my marathon training when I found out our baby was on the way… it was a lot. I wanted to continue my training but, along with lots of consulting with family, I decided it was not my best idea. I had never run that far before and, after running 18 miles in my first trimester, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t worth it if something was to happen either before or after the marathon.
There are many incredible women who have run pregnant and I admire the sh*t out of them for that dedication. The difference with me is the recurring injury (pregnancy made those worse) and the distance being new for me. Rest assured, marathon training is the first box to check off of my list after baby arrives.
If you are like me then you may feel like a quitter… I really did. I still kick myself for not signing up for an earlier marathon and I had serious FOMO watching the rest of the family cross that finish line (I know, it’s ridiculous). Thanks to the heightened emotions, I just about cried when they all came through at the Disney World Marathon at the beginning of this month. I am a proud sister and daughter of these heroes.
All of the Pregnancy Symptoms… or a Lack Thereof
I will start off this section by saying there is absolutely no shame in not having symptoms. I stressed so much during the first trimester thinking something was “wrong” because I had none of the normal symptoms. At times I actually thought I would have preferred being sick to feeling almost nothing. Now that I know baby is growing steady (knock on wood), I realize how silly I was to feel that way.
Given I don’t know what the second and third trimesters hold for me, I am very lucky this baby wanted me to celebrate a healthy and happy first trimester. Not having the expected symptoms allowed me to really soak up the excitement of the new baby with a clear head.
Nausea & Motion Sickness
Every article I read had me bracing for the inevitable bouts of morning sickness that expectant moms experience. I am a bad puker (too much, I know) so I was dreading this part of pregnancy. To my surprise, I experienced absolutely no morning sickness or nausea at any point during the first trimester.
The only time I got super nauseous was between weeks 4 and 8 when we drove more than 30 minutes in the car. I tend to get motion sickness as it is but pregnancy made it much worse. Thankfully, the motion sickness has since worn off and I am able to get behind the wheel and in the passenger seat with less concern.
Complete Exhaustion
Here is the one symptom that still lingers from the first trimester: complete exhaustion. It’s not constant but exhaustion hits me like a tidal wave at the most random times. During the first trimester, the exhaustion got pretty brutal. I never (seriously never) take naps and I found myself unintentionally sleeping in and dozing off.
Because the exhaustion didn’t last all day, I used all of the bursts of energy I had to get work done. I never really missed out on work or slacked in things around the house – they just happened all at once.
Cravings & Food Aversions
Outside of an occasional Richardson’s black raspberry ice cream or sharp cheddar craving, I really haven’t been “craving” much. I’ve always been good about snacking when I need to and we always have so many options that I never had to rush out for that one thing. I also haven’t gone crazy and demanded Paul go out and buy me everything I am craving… yet. Hopefully it doesn’t happen but, IF it does, I know he’s got it covered.
This is going to sound so weird but the single food I cannot stomach? Instant mashed potatoes. I can eat homemade mashed potatoes, french fries, tater tots, and any other form of potato but I can’t stomach instant mashed. I meal prepped an entire bag of mashed potatoes and thought I was going to vomit when I took the first bite. To this day, I cannot eat the potatoes and I used to make them regularly for dinner.
The Stress About Weight Gain, Bumps & Exercise
Here’s the truth: I wanted a bump just so I could look pregnant.
The one thing I really did not expect during the first trimester was to gain absolutely no weight – not a single pound. I know other pregnant women and have seen bloggers who seemingly appear to gain weight instantly. The pants don’t fit, they have a belly in the first trimester, and it’s so cute and Insta-worthy. My body was not cooperating.
I had been running so much that my body was adapted to the steady weight loss I wanted before pregnancy. My metabolism was likely higher from the increased levels of activity and I was used to eating between 1,200 and 1,400 calories each day. My stomach was flatter than it had been since high school and early college.
Once I found out I was pregnant, I was tracking my weight every day. I brought up my concerns to the doctor and she explained that first-time moms, especially active ones, didn’t always show right away. I was impatient and didn’t want to wait to see a bump appear – I wanted it right away. I am in my second trimester and still only have a tiny bump and that’s okay. I have come to love and embrace my body’s slow and steady growth.
Hold On To Your Hate | It’s a Girl!
Deep down I really thought I was going to have a boy. I just had this feeling a mini Paul would be surprising us with his presence the first go-around. And yet, I was surprised and full of smiles when I found out that our sweet little babe is going to be a GIRL. I couldn’t contain my excitement for all of the cute girl things!
Paul and I are both joyful and nervous about raising a daughter because how can you not be? There is so much to learn and so many unknowns that we are about to tackle together. All I know is that we are both looking forward to her sweet presence and the journey this baby (and hopefully more!) will take us on.
That is all I have for now but stay tuned for a second trimester update and remember: just because you don’t look pregnant, does not mean you can’t celebrate and embrace the fact that you are.