I know. I know. Just another one of those posts pointing out the obvious things about pregnancy BUT sometimes people don’t tell you everything!
During my first pregnancy I didn’t know a single thing and definitely wasn’t prepared for what was to come.
Even if this helps only one mum-to-be I will be glad I posted it!!
First things first; The First Trimester 1-12 weeks.
Some people are lucky and don’t have any of the symptoms. (I envy them.)
While others will probably have THE roughest few weeks imaginable!!
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant you will need to start taking your pregnancy supplements. (Folic acid and omega 3)
You might start feeling sick before you even realise you’re pregnant.
I had two pregnancies with severe sickness and it doesn’t necessarily stop after 12 weeks!
It’s not always just nausea either. Some people will actually be physically sick throughout the day.
You might be offered a dating scan when you find out if you don’t know the dates etc.
Best to wait until a few weeks after you tested positive. Just so you can definitely see the baby. (Before 6 weeks you might only be able to see the sac and no baby, doesn’t necessarily there isn’t one!)
Also, don’t expect it to look like a baby. At this stage it will only look like a teeny tiny little peanut!!
With a tiny little flicker which is the heartbeat!
Now cramping, it’s actually very common. It’s your body preparing and stretching away while your little baby grows.
Obviously if the cramping is severe and accompanied with bleeding then you will need to see a doctor asap.
Spotting can be common around the time of your missed period but any excessive bleeding at all during pregnancy will need to be checked.
Just to be on the safe side. Also, don’t worry about bothering your midwife. It’s her job to help you.
Food aversions can be more severe than you think.
I couldn’t be near certain foods without being sick!!
Even foods I used to love before becoming pregnant.
Your boobs will GROW. Even from this stage.
I always had tiny boobs until I become pregnant and then im suddenly struggling to get them into tops!!
You will need to get fitted (possibly more than once) during your pregnancy.
You might need to pop to the loo a thousand times more than you would think.
Even through the night.
Probably best to avoid drinking lots before bed unless you want to be doing laps to the loo in the night.
You should avoid caffeine but can drink two cups of tea or coffee a day.
I switched to decaff which is a lot better during pregnancy.
No alcohol either.
Don’t listen to people who say ‘You can have a glass of wine a week. Totally fine. I drank through my whole pregnancy and my baby turned out fine’.
It is not ok. People are told to avoid it for a reason! If you can avoid it then you should.
It could potentially harm your baby so leave the wine to collect dust for a few more months!!
Smoking. It’s a big no no during pregnancy. If you feel like you need help quitting, your midwife will help you get all the help you need.
You don’t want to be passing all those nasty chemicals to your baby.
Don’t make up excuses either. It’s bad for you when you’re not pregnant so imagine the damage when you’re growing your foetus.
Heartburn! A lot of my mummy friends have complained about this!!
It’s more than just a burning sensation for some. I had it with my first and I usually spent the night crying in pain!! No amount of milk, yoghurt, peptac, rennies or gaviscon helped!
If you get it try to stay sitting upright and avoid certain foods.
Some people will need to get maternity clothes as soon as they find out they are pregnant.
I got bloated before I even found out I was pregnant!
If it is not your first you are more likely to start showing sooner!!
I tried to squeeze into my jeans but ended up popping the button off and crying.
That reminds me…
MOOD SWINGS.
You will have your hormones at their craziest during pregnancy and you will go from being happy to crying uncontrollably to being angrier than godzilla.
Explain to your partner (if you have one) to be prepared to have you at your craziest.
I had an incident, while pregnant with Reuben, where I was at a Pizza Hut with my sister, my son and our friend.
Casually laughing away then out of nowhere hysterically crying my eyes out!!
I couldn’t even control myself!! It was very embarrassing.
Be prepared to have pain when you sneeze and cough etc..
Thanks again to the stretching you might find yourself suddenly grasping just below your stomach.
Completely normal!
You might want to spend as much time sleeping on your stomach as possible too.
You will definitely miss it when you get bigger!! You won’t be able to sleep on your back either. Sleep will get VERY uncomfortable for you!
I know im just ranting about the obvious but it helps to be prepared.
Me and my mummy friends have been through all of these and wanted to share!!
If I forgot any, please feel free to add more in comments.
I will be doing second trimester tomorrow!!
Please add things you wish you knew about the second trimester and what things helped?
I will add them to my post tomorrow 🙂
Sorry if it was long and boring!
M x