Getting through your 1st trimester

Hi Everyone,

I know I promised awhile ago that I would do a post on how my 1st trimester went. For those who had a non-eventful 1st trimester, you are SO lucky!! So, as I mentioned in my last post….. I can sum it up in 4 words: Naps, Bed, TV, Video Games. I didn’t leave the house for 2 months. I was so incredibly sick, I actually lost weight during my 1st trimester. I was surviving off peanut butter and bread for 2 months.  I slept at least 12 hours everyday. I couldn’t even go to work and had to work from home couple of days a week. You know all the hopes and dreams of feeding your tiny human healthy snacks and veggies? Well. My tiny human had peanut butter and bread. Oh and occasionally fries and big mac. I had no desire to digest veggies or meat. The thought of that actually made me gag.

I actually thought I was the lucky one that won’t have morning sickness…. well it was smooth sailing up until week 6. Ohhhh yes, I woke up one morning, heading out to dim sum and as soon as I got to the restaurant I was gagging my brains out. I thought it was maybe just a one off, but NOPE. It didn’t stop for another 7 weeks. Worst 7 weeks of my life.

Oh it gets worse

When I hit week 7, I noticed some spotting, which then turned into a full bleeding episode. I was actually at work that day and noticed it’s kinda… wet… went to the bathroom and I full on panicked. Didn’t know what to do I checked myself in the ER. It just so happen my husband was downtown that day, as soon as I called him, he ran from younge and bloor to mount sinai hospital. The wait was a good 3 hours before I got any results. Because I was so early on in my pregnancy, they actually couldn’t detect anything. At this point I was beyond stressed out and was 100% convinced we lost the baby. After the 3 hours wait, we were sent home to come back tomorrow for another vaginal ultrasound. The bleeding lasted roughly 2 hours and stopped….but I was still pretty stressed out and worried.

Good thing that day, my husband had his work function where he get to stay at a hotel downtown. I didn’t have to commute back uptown which was great.  And so we spend the night worrying and waiting….

The next day

Went back to the hospital for the scan and the results. I met with the nurse who was so knowledgeable, she immediately told me that there is still a baby heart beat and I had a subchorionic hemorrhage. Confused I asked, is that common?Apparently Subchorionic hemorrhage (subchorionic hematoma) is the most common sonographic abnormality in the presence of a live embryo. Vaginal bleeding affects 25% of all women during the first half of pregnancy and is a common reason for first-trimester ultrasonography.  I was told that because there’s not much room in me and with the baby growing, it must had burst a blood cell, but she then ensured me by week 12, it should disappear.

Semi bed rest

I was told to stop all exercises until I stop spotting. So, I got a doctor’s note and ended up working from home 2-3 times a week to rest my body for the 1st trimester. I was actually really glad that I get to stay home, I couldn’t take the commute with my morning sickness. I was soooo sick and by the time I get to work I really need a nap. Being able to stay home saved my sanity. I was able to wake up at my own time and rest when I can. I normally hate taking naps, but during my 1st trimester, I would literally took 2 naps a day. My husband never saw me died so hard for the past 4 years we’ve been together. I could barely move away from my bed/couch.

My husband really stepped up

My sweet husband was so caring, he felt really bad that I was going though such a hard time. He started to do all chores and cooking around the house. For the next 2 months, I just rested and tried not to die. I ended up losing 7 pounds during that dreadful 7 weeks. Not surprised since I really just ate bread and peanut butter for almost 2 months.

There is light at the end of tunnel

By week 11/12, I noticed I started to get my appetite back. My vision was CLEAR. Wow, my vision was blurry for the full 7 weeks. I was so relieved that I was finally feeling human again.

Reflections

For those who are going through similar experience as I did, just know that you are not alone. So many other women go through the same issue. It amazes me that the 1st trimester is one of the important trimester where you need the most support, but most women tend to hide their problems due to stigma or ashamed. This is the trimester where your body goes through so many changes, I was lucky that I had a few people who I can trust to really get me through the toughest months. I was able to ask mothers who had similar experiences, I was able to vent to my close friends just how tired and exhausted I was worrying. There are online forums you can read, but honestly, I feel like those did more harm then good.

If I were to give one word of advice, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You will be surprised just how many people care and even if they have not gone through it personally, they will lend a ear for you to vent.

It’s all about the experience, just enjoy it, good or bad. We are so blessed that our baby is good and healthy and just a few more months left and we get to meet our bundle of joy!

I ended up chopping off my hair because I couldn’t wash/dry my hair anymore. My poor husband was helping me blow drying my hair. Isn’t he the sweetest?

Thanks so much for reading!