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Tomorrow, I will be 18 weeks. I'm very excited that next Wednesday, we will be finding out if we have a little Nugget or a Nuggette. For most of my pregnancy, I've had dreams about having a boy, but a few nights ago, I had a very sad, disturbing dream about having a girl. So who knows...either way, as long as it's healthy, that's truly all that matters. As cliche as it sounds, it's true.
Just in the past few days, I've noticed some "changes" in my body. And I thought to myself that all along, I've not really "tracked" my progress as far as symptoms and weird changes as this baby grows inside me. So, since I'm finally coming to the realization that my body is no longer my own, here goes a little recap of what I've noticed so far. I'm hoping that if I'm ever pregnant again, that I can look back and compare how similar or different my pregnancies are. So here goes:
Nausea: This all started around 7-8 weeks. I had been feeling great up to this point - not too tired, no changes in my appetite...everything was the same. When literally in the matter of one day (actually night, my sickness was in the evenings), I was ill and there was no need for dinner for me for another 5 or so weeks. I lost a good amount of weight during this time (about 5 pounds, which for me is a lot), so the doctor prescribed Phenargen to help with the nausea. The only side effect was that it made me super sleepy, but it was worth it. Since it was typically after 5pm when this all started, I didn't so much care if I dozed off to sleep. At about 14 weeks, the nausea went away except for some minor "ickiness" when eating tomato sauce or chocolate. Weird, I know. But now at 18 weeks, I'm starting to get my normal appetite back. I still love fruit, but am once again eating dinner.
Weight Gain: As I mentioned above, I had lost about 5 pounds in the beginning due to my nausea and lack of appetite. I'm happy to say (or maybe not so much) that at about 16 weeks, I noticed a pound or so here and there and then in the past week, I'm up 4 pounds from my regular weight. It happened really fast - maybe because my boobs have become quite engorged in the past three days (literally!)...can I blame 2 pounds a piece on those puppies? My regular clothes still fit me (except one pair of shorts that were always my "skinny shorts") although I do notice my tummy is a little fuller (not exactly a bump, though). I invested in a Be Band to help with pants that are too big or those I can't quite button and so far, I've only used them for some of my bigger pants to help keep them up. I'm sure in a week or so, at the rate I'm going, I'll need them for the pants that won't button. Oh well, it's all part of the process and means the baby is growing, right? I must admit, for someone who has already tried to be healthy and "thin", this is a hard thing to accept. You feel "fat" and bloated and although you know you're being crazy, you wonder if maybe you're gaining weight too fast. I guess my doctor will tell me next week if that is the case!
Complexion: One thing I've been really fortunate to have, is great skin thanks to this little baby and the hormones it's bringing to my body. I typically have really oily skin that is prone to break outs, but since I got pregnant, my skin is nearly perfect. The only negative I've noticed is that I'm a bit hairier. Gross, I know, but there is definitely a little bit of fuzz on my tummy as well as on my face. I'll take it, though...hopefully it's not that noticeable.
Spider veins: This is something I definitely have. I've always had a couple of patches on my legs where I can see my little veins - and I've always hated them. But they are definitely more noticeable and I even have a spot I never really noticed before that is definitely more noticeable now. I hear they can go away after the baby's born (something about it being from estrogen?), but they're not terrible...yet.
Sleep: As I mentioned already, I'm starting to have some weird dreams, but thanks to my overactive bladder (which really didn't start until about 12 weeks), I wake up 2-3 times per night. I have experienced some pain in my back and left hip (possible sciatic nerve pain?), so that adds to my problem and I'm also waking myself up when I roll on my back (since I know at 20 weeks, I'm no longer supposed to be on my back or tummy). I am taking prenatal yoga and love that and it definitely helps with the back pain, but there are times I wake up feeling like I fought ninjas all through the night. Maybe I do?
I think this covers most of what I've experienced so far. I'll try to add to or repost with my new weird conditions. And although I'm sure some of this sounds as though I'm complaining, I do want to make sure it's understood that these are not complaints. I could not be happier to finally be pregnant. I know there are a lot of pleasant and not so pleasant side effects that come with the job, but I'd gladly take it over not having this amazing opportunity and experience.
