When I sat down to write this post I wasn’t sure whether to split it into a few posts or not as I’ve had an eventful first trimester. I’ve decided to combine my first 12 weeks in one post this time and just included the most important parts but I’d love to know whether you’d prefer to read weekly or monthly updates from now on! If you’ve any questions about any of my symptoms or anything I mention in this post please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or pop me a message. I’m overwhelmed by the love I’ve received on my announcement post.
Week 4
I found out on Tuesday the 5th of December. To be honest, I’d suspected for a few days but Tuesday was the first day I plucked up the courage to take a test. Although it came back positive I insisted on taking another 4 tests before I was ready to believe my little squish was real. I’ve decide to keep a bump journal so I remember all the little things and hope one day when my little one is grown up they might like to read it. It was the perfect way to use my gorgeous Martha Brook ‘Time to Shine’ notebook.
Week 6
This week was tough. The exhaustion was starting to get unbearable (seriously pregnancy fatigue is REAL) and then I started to bleed and I was terrified that I was losing my squish. Miscarriage and bleeding during early pregnancy is often kept very ‘hush hush’ so I wanted to be as honest as possible in this post. I’ll not be going into too much detail as I wouldn’t like to upset anyone but I was referred for an urgent EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit) scan. It was the very first time I got to see my baby and I hated that it was under such sad and stressful circumstances. To make matters worse they couldn’t actually see my baby. I had an abdominal ultrasound scan as well as a transvaginal scan (which sounds terrifying but I promise it really isn’t scary) but all the midwife could see was a sac and yolk. No heartbeat. I was told to come back in two weeks for a check up to see if this had progressed but was also told I might start to miscarry and to prepare for the worst.
Week 7
The Morning Sickness kicked in. Or should I say all day sickness. I have a new found respect for pregnant ladies. I’m ‘used’ to feeling nauseous due to all my food intolerances and allergies but morning sickness is nausea like I’ve never experienced it before. I went off all food except apples for the whole of the Christmas holidays. The thought of anything other than apples made me want to hurl! I had to keep nibbling at apples and ginger crackers or my nausea would get even worse, so as a tip to any pregnant woman, I’d say try and always keep your tummy full, as soon as it began to get a little empty the nausea would get 300x worse!
Week 8
I went back to the EPU for my follow up this week. I’d spent the past two weeks with my stomach in knots and wanted to throw up the whole car journey to the hospital. I’ve never felt more terrified waiting for the midwife to say if everything was okay. Thankfully the midwife saw a heartbeat straight away. She did find a patch of bleeding separate from Squish which very well could have been a twin, something sadly I’ll never know for sure. I’m just so thankful squish is okay.
Week 9
I had yet another emergency scan at the EPU this week. I had more bleeding and cramping so phoned the EPU for advice, they didn’t like the sound of my symptoms so wanted me to come in for another scan just to be sure. Thankfully they decided it was just the bleed they had found previously and that it wasn’t near my baby. I feel so thankful to the EPU for being so kind, caring and reassuring throughout my scares and I’m so grateful that I’m one of the lucky ones.
Although my nausea started to subside a little this week I have lots of food aversions and cravings. Lemon curd on toast is my current obsession along with rocket ice lollies and I cannot stand the thought of eggs!
Week 10
I actually had my 12 week scan this week! (They’re done in Northern Ireland between 8 & 13 weeks) I was stuck up at the hospital for over three hours (so bring snacks and water and things to amuse yourself!) It was so incredible to see my little wriggling baby again during a much happier appointment and I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time! It was the most incredible experience!
Week 11
I’m now half way through my 11th week and other than the CONSTANT exhaustion, which I will say is better than it was, I don’t really have any horrible symptoms. Touch wood I have been so lucky nausea wise, it was pretty grim for a week or two but I know so many other women get it way worse so I’m thanking my lucky stars. I do seem to have started getting awful nightmares the past few nights which are sometimes a pregnancy symptom, but we’ll see how it goes! If you’ve been pregnant have you suffered vivid nightmares?
I can’t quite believe this is almost the end of my first trimester already! After 12 weeks I’m planning on uploading bump pictures to watch my little one grow!