Pregnancy can be a beautiful experience but sadly, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. Just like the second and third trimester, the first is full of many surprises- but not many people actually talk about it.
Here are 7 things no one tells you about the first trimester of pregnancy!
1. Morning Sickness Is a Lie
Mr stark… I don’t feel so good
We all call it morning sickness but it should really be called morning, noon and night sickness- am I right ladies!?
At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was under the misconception that I would only throw up in the morning and be done with it! But noooo, I was constantly nauseous and it didn’t matter what time of day it was.
Doctors are still unsure of what actually causes ‘morning sickness’, but they do believe that it could be down to the body reacting to the hCG hormone.
That being said, there are some women out there who experience zero nausea during their pregnancy- lucky eh!?
2. Everything Stinks!
ALERT ALERT, remove anything from your house that will release any form of smell, NOW! In fact, wear a mask, you’re safer that way.
Ok, I’m just kidding… kind of.
Remember I said I was experiencing constant nausea during my first trimester? Well pungent smells really contributed to that! To be totally honest, the smell didn’t even have to be that bad to ruin my day- it was honestly tragic!
Once, I went alllll the way to my local Nandos on a Friday evening. Bearing in mind this was after a loooong week of uni and work so it was really what my tired, pregnant body needed! You bet I sat and enjoyed every last bite!
But then what did I decide to do? I went to throw my rubbish away… like anyone who practices cleanliness would, right?
As soon as I opened the lid, I was hit by the horrible whiff of god knows what in that dark pit of smelly HELL!
2 minutes later I was regurgitating every single chicken fibre from my poor ol stomach… Thanks baby!
Anyway, I don’t want to scare you, I just want to give you a heads up- be careful!
3. Kiss Your Favourite Foods Bye-Bye
Till this day, I still avoid a specific brand of soy sauce because of how strong it tasted one evening. There was nothing wrong with it at all, eh, maybe I just used a lil too much. But it was clear that baby wasn’t having it and it has since been imprinted on my tastebuds forever!
This is once again linked to the hormones and the dreaded morning/all day sickness, what’s new?
4. Those Aren’t Just Butterflies
Yes, this was my first pregnancy but I knew I wasn’t just feeling gas when my baby moved at 12 weeks!
Yes you read that right, 12 weeks!!!
For days I was in disbelief because it was just too early right?
It is said that you won’t start feeling baby until around 16-24 weeks, especially later if it’s your first pregnancy. But my mother’s intuition kicked in early and I knew my lil girl was having a big ol’party in there.
As time went by and baby grew, those same ‘butterflies’ in my tummy became stronger and stronger- so I really believe that some pregnancies are just different.
If you’re feeling those flutters early on, I suggest you trust your gut!… or your womb lol.
Related Post: A day In The Life Of a Young Mum
5. Vivid Dreams
If I was ever in disbelief about my pregnancy (which did happen more than once), my vivid dreams instantly removed those doubts.
When I tell you, the dreams I had during my first trimester were VIVID, I mean they really were like living a second life at night!
Once again, the cause of this is uncertain but doctors think that the increase in hormones (estrogen, progesterone and the production of hCG ) is the main culprit!
Get your sleep and enjoy your dreams while you can, because sleep will become nothing but a distant memory once baby is born!
6. Who Needs Implants When You Have First Trimester Pregnancy Hormones!?
It was like seeing the positive pregnancy test was a trigger to blow up 2 giant balloons on my chest! Honestly, I expected this change to happen towards the end, when the milk starts to come in properly. But, this happened from the very start!
Why? I don’t think I even need to tell you this time.
(blame it on the ho-o-o-o-o-ormones)
Be prepared for your breasts to feel all sorts of aches, pains and tingles- they’re just getting ready for your little bundle of joy!
7. The Walking Zombie 2
Did you really think that the tiredness started after baby was born? Oh no honey, baby will have you looking like an extra from The Walking Dead from as early as the FIRST trimester!
I really underestimated the amount of fatigue I’d experience during my pregnancy, it was a lot!
I’d be walking around work, feeling like I could pass out at any given moment. At this point no one actually knew I was pregnant, but I’m sure they had their suspicions when they saw how exhausted I suddenly was every day.
Make sure you’re taking frequent rests, sit down and give your body a chance to recalibrate for a moment. You are making a whole human in there, after all!
As we go through the rapid stages of pregnancy, our bodies will undergo many drastic changes. But don’t you worry, it’s all normal girl!
How is/was the first trimester for you? Let me know in the comments below!
