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Pregnancy is a beautiful miracle, but it can bring some not-so-beautiful feelings with it during the first trimester – morning sickness, anxiety, tiredness, and emotions. As a mom of 3, I’ve got some pregnancy confessions to share that answer the questions you might be asking yourself—you might just relate to them!
When would morning sickness start?
Wondering when would morning sickness start for you? I’m more curious, who came up with the term ‘morning sickness’? Mine should’ve been called ‘all-day, all-night sickness.’ All was well until 6-7 weeks and it hit me like a ton of bricks! I felt like I had a permanent residency either in my bed or in front of the toilet, trying every remedy in the book to make it go away. It can be hard to stay positive and feel excited about your pregnancy if you’re going through this, too. But I’m here to tell you that it does get better and you’re going to meet the most beautiful soul you’ve ever laid eyes on at the end of this. Hang in there, mama!
Why am I feeling so anxious while pregnant?
First trimester anxiety is normal. Every day felt like a countdown to my next prenatal appointment or ultrasound scan. Was everything ok? Was something wrong? The anxiety was overwhelming most days. Sometimes I’d get busy and the anxiety would calm down, but when it got quiet, it was back. It’s common to feel this way. There are a lot of unknowns during the first trimester. It really helps to talk about it. Be open with your partner or support person. Let them know how you’re feeling. Do activities that make you happy and feel more at peace. You can do this!
When in pregnancy does tiredness start?
Energy? What’s that? That groggy fatigued feeling was my new normal. Balancing work, chores, and self-care felt impossible at times. This is where your support system comes in handy! Do not be afraid to ask for help. These people love you and want to help where they can.
Why am I so emotional while pregnant?
Feeling like you are on an emotional rollercoaster? From laughter to tears in a nanosecond, I was a walking, talking mood swing. Hormones took the wheel and turned me into a sentimental mess over the tiniest things. Seriously, a sappy commercial could have me sobbing within seconds. This is common, too! But if you feel that your feelings are too difficult to manage and you’re unable to cope, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. That’s what they’re there for!
When does pregnancy brain start?
First off, pregnancy brain is real! This is also known as “momnesia,” and can start as early as the first trimester (as it did for me!). From forgetting where I put my keys to blanking out mid-sentence, my brain felt like mush sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up too much though. After all, you’re growing an entire human – you deserve some slack!
What do you wear during the awkward phase in the first trimester?
What in the world do you wear in the first trimester? Your bump hasn’t really made a grand appearance but the bloating is in full force. None of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit, but maternity clothes were too big. I mostly rocked stretchy leggings and T-shirts until I could finally wear the cute maternity clothes! Just find something that keeps you comfy and focus on growing that sweet baby.
What are food aversions? Will I get them?
Cravings are one thing, but aversions? They’re a whole other ballgame. Food aversions are a strong dislike for certain foods that can make it difficult not to gag or feel nauseous when around them. For me, the smell and even the thought of some of my favorite foods made me gag. I had to avoid these foods and try hard not to even think about them! Not everyone will get food aversions; however, they are common enough to be considered a normal part of pregnancy.
Do you have a heightened sense of smell when pregnant?
Speaking of gagging… Who knew there were this many smells floating about? My pregnancy nose – that’s who. Just walking into my kitchen would trigger my gag reflex. I’m not even kidding. I cooked dinner so many times wearing a mask. And I couldn’t even show my face at the gym again after dry heaving on the treadmill from all the smells. Public bathrooms were another instant gag. The list goes on and on. You just have to find ways to push through, whether it’s cooking in a mask or just avoiding something altogether. Find what works for you. The sensitivity goes away eventually and you’ll be holding your precious babe before you know it!
Embracing the First Trimester Experience
The first trimester has been a rollercoaster of emotions and surprises, as you’ve seen through my confessions. How many of these did you resonate with?
However long your list may be, just remember that there’s light at the end of the tunnel on those hard days. Pregnancy isn’t always easy, but it’s so worth it!
If you’re looking for a way to make your own experience a little smoother, consider downloading the pregnancy app I use. It helps track your progress, offers tailored advice, and connects you with other moms who understand what you’re going through.
Download the Premom Pregnancy App Now
Stay strong, moms-to-be! You’ve got this.
References
- Cameron EL. Pregnancy and olfaction: a review. Front Psychol. 2014;5:67. Published 2014 Feb 6. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00067
- Pownall M, Conner M, Hutter RRC. ‘Baby brain’ in pregnancy: A review of social psychological explanations and future research directions. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 2022;16(7). doi:10.1111/spc3.12696
- Lee NM, Saha S. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2011;40(2):309-vii. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2011.03.009
Madhavanprabhakaran GK, D’Souza MS, Karkada SN. Prevalence of pregnancy anxiety and associated factors. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. 2015;3:1-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijans.2015.06.002
