It's so unbelievable. So surreal. I'm so so so excited.
What usually happens in the first trimester?
Bouts of nausea
Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, sometimes begins as early as three weeks after conception. Pregnant women also have a heightened sense of smell, so various odors — such as foods cooking, perfume or cigarette smoke — might cause waves of nausea in early pregnancy.
Tender, swollen breasts
Soon after conception, hormonal changes might make your breasts tender, tingly or sore. Or your breasts might feel fuller and heavier.
Increased urination
You might find yourself urinating more often than usual, especially at night. Pressure from your enlarging uterus on your bladder might cause you to leak urine when sneezing, coughing or laughing.
Fatigue
Fatigue also ranks high among first trimester symptoms. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar — which can put you to sleep.
Food aversions or cravings
When you're pregnant, you might find yourself turning up your nose at certain foods, such as coffee or fried foods. Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes — especially in the first trimester, when hormonal changes are the most dramatic.
Heartburn and constipation
During first trimester pregnancy, the movements that push swallowed food from your esophagus into your stomach are slower. Your stomach also takes longer to empty. This slowdown gives nutrients more time to be absorbed into your bloodstream and reach your baby. Unfortunately, it can also lead to heartburn and constipation.
Now let me share with you my journey throughout the first trimester of being pregnant. Everyone experiences different things so here's mine!
WEEK 5 (24/01/14)
Energy Level: 4/10
Mood: Paranoid
I suspected i was pregnant and did a pregnancy test using a test kit i bought from 7-11 2 weeks ago (at Week 3) but it showed Negative. However, at Week 5, i found it really weird that my period still hasn't came and my boobs were SO sore - BUT plus point is that is looked really big haha! I also felt tired ALL THE TIME. No matter how much sleep i get! Decided to buy another test kit and this time, i saw the 2 Pink Lines. Lotsa thoughts flooded my mind and the moment i stepped out of the toilet, the first person i called was my mother. Then my boyfriend. Then i made an appointment with an OB/GYN to confirm it.
Went for my first scan and the baby looks like a black....Jelly Bean? So cute!
The doctor gave me lotsa folic acid. Said it is very important to take it during the first trimester! I was also told to give up alcohol, smoking (and being around smokers), dancing, running, eating sashimi (*sobs)....well most of the stuff i enjoy doing. :( Goodbye Zouk...Goodbye 10km runs at East Coast...
WEEK 7 (1/02/14)
Energy Level: 2/10 (damn bad!!! all i want to do is sleep)
Mood: Cranky (yeah on CNY....)
Gong Xi Fa Cai! It's CNY and today one of my cousin announced her pregnancy. I can't reveal anything because the 1st trimester isn't over yet. It was so difficult to keep quiet about it! Still no morning sickness. Did a lot of research on google and realized it's totally normal. Some people are lucky to not have morning sickness so YAY LUCKY ME! I also didn't experience any heartburn and constipation - something most pregnant women would go through. I also don't pee as much as i thought i would? Most pregnant woman would pee a lot! I ate a lot though. A LOT. No weird cravings though. But i'm always ALWAYS hungry. I usually eat a lot on normal days but lately it's CRAY. Didn't take much pictures during CNY because i look fat.....my whole body is bloated. I have no more waist?!?! I now have a bloated tummy that won't go away! This is weird....i've always had a flat tummy so having a bloated tummy that won't go down no matter what felt uncomfortable. It made me less confident too. I've gained 4kg to date. That's too much for the first trimester according to my OB/GYN. Got to control. My mood swings are crazy. I cannot stop crying and everything my boyfriend says irritates me! It's like we can never have a normal conversation....I am so emotional and paranoid. I am always sleepy!! This is probably the laziest CNY i've ever had. I want to do nothing but SLEEEEEEEP. Oh I ate a pineapple tart and got all paranoid after because According to some people, pineapple isn't good for the baby. Googled and some people actually said it's fine. Well good thing I didn't go overboard and overate the yummy tarts. Am still in the safe zone! I was told that id experience constipation in my first trimester but no eh my bowel movement is good!
WEEK 9 (14/02/14)
Energy Level: 4/10
Mood: Happy
Wow, my boobies look AMAZING. I love it! So round and huge~~~ Hey, still no nausea till now! YAY! What a smooth 1st trimester! It's a night mare to some but for me i only experienced fatigue and mood swings. Ok, actually the mood swings are pretty bad. Lol. I'm already 2 months pregnant! Today is also Valentines Day! In the waiting room at my OB/GYN's, i saw a few ladies with huge bellies. I didn't have an obvious belly yet so i felt out of point....and i didn't really feel pregnant. Until i went in for my ultrascan and i heard my baby's heartbeat. OH M GEE....THERE'S A LIFE IN ME. To see the tiny embryo on the monitor and hear the heartbeat made me really happy! I even saw my baby moving. Amazing~~~ i have gained 5kg so far, I look like I have a bump....or am I just fatter?! Haha. I'm not used to seeing myself with no waist and a bulging belly.
WEEK 11 (24/02/14)
Energy Level: 7/10
Mood: Angry
Today I threw a bitch fit. I haven't shouted at anyone for a LONG TIME. I can't remember the last time i felt such anger. I couldn't control it. I was all drama mama. I was a really good girl the past week though, felt nothing but happiness! However, today was a shocker, a complete TURN. Took a looong drive home and sang my heart out in the car. My mood was back to normal. Returned to nice girlfriend self again haha. Guys, if you're reading this, PLEASE try to just give in to your pregnant wife. OR ELSE THE ARGUMENT WONT STOP. Please understand that she isn't being a bitch on purpose (if she hasn't been a bitch before pregnancy that is). Haha. My energy level has been low the past weeks and i've been taking afternoon naps almost everyday! And even after my nap, i still feel tired. :( cannot stop yawning! I've been so tired all the time it's really affecting my work. Especially blogging....can't seem to find the energy to go out to find content to blog about. Don't even want to apply make up. But but i see some improvement today...since my energy level is much higher today as compared to the past few weeks, I started on an exercise plan! Exercising during pregnancy is highly recommended. However, be VERY VERY careful when exercising especially in the first trimester. If you really want to be super duper safe, start exercising only after Week 12. Went to Amore Fitness after a long time. There's a lot of things i can't do at the gym though. I just used the stationary bicycle for 30 min, then did some bicep curls using a 2kg dumbbell. Didn't feel productive and effective...but then my doctor told me not to do anything intensive and not to carry anything heavy so i obeyed! Some exercise is better than none! I intend to visit the gym 3-4 times a week. Lately, my appetite is back to normal - not crazily huge already! I eat like a normal person now - 3 meals a day and i have stopped waking up in the middle of the night to order mcdonalds/cook maggie mee. I am much healthier. My skin looks so good too! It must be the bird nest i've been consuming every night. I've been doing it for the past few weeks.
WEEK 12 (07/03/14)
Energy Level: 8/10
Mood: Happy
THE END OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER. WOOHOO! I am now 3 months pregnant! I have heard a lot of great things about the 2nd trimester like an increase in energy and NO MORE MOOD SWINGS. I can already feel my energy coming back since last week! IT FEELS SO GOOD TO LAST A WHOLE DAY WITHOUT TAKING AN AFTERNOON NAP. So much more productive. I am looking forward to the next few weeks. Also, looking forward to a bigger baby bump!
Today i go to the doctor to do the Oscar test which is to check for chromosomal abnormalities such as down syndrome and congenital heart defects. All looks good!
My Jelly Bean has evolved!!! He/she looks like a real baby now. I can now see the face...the nose...those cute little arms and fingers! Baby couldn't stop moving in my belly! After seeing today's ultrascan, I felt pregnant again. I was feeling so good this week and kinda didn't feel pregnant the past few days cus for some reason I was not as bloated this few days. But I did my weight check and have gained 6kg alr! OMG who gains that much in their first trimester?!?! Hahaha. My appetite is just too good according to my doctor and I am just super lucky I don't have morning sickness. However I gotta keep the weight gain in control because gaining too much won't be good for the baby & I. Gotta learn to eat healthier~
I'm loving the 2nd trimester so far! Looking forward to a bigger baby bump! And also looking forward to the next appointment where I can find out the gender of my baby. :)