// This was originally posted in April 2013 //
I’ve been promising to talk about my miserable first trimester and it’s time.
Basically, my first trimester was MISERABLE.
Awful.
Terrible.
So bad that I actually considered never having another baby because there was NO WAY that I could be pregnant and care for another person.
Just bad, bad, bad all around.
BOOM Goes The Nausea
I was fine until the sixth week – then, right on track with all the baby books, I woke up nauseous.
And the nausea lasted 24/7 for the next 10 weeks solid.
Morning, noon, and night – I was nauseous.
I never threw up.
I was just always right at the point before throwing up (but could never actually vomit so I never got any relief).
Super Fatigued
Also, in traditional pregnant-lady fashion, I was also super fatigued.
Between the nausea and fatigue, I was worthless.
I couldn’t do anything but sit on the couch and eat carbs or greasy fast food (eating carbs/fast food was the only time I got any relief).
And for a few very bad weeks (eight through 10), I literally lay on the couch and did yoga breathing from the time I got up until the time I went to bed.
It was that bad.
I Felt Completely Useless
I felt so guilty during this time because I was completely useless.
I couldn’t:
- cook (the food smelled and required me standing up for too long)
- do any housework (I remember the day that I was able to do one load of laundry – greatest day ever)
- bathe regularly (The Boy must of laughed that one)
Forget working out or eating right.
Between the carbs, French fries, and couch living I gained SO MUCH WEIGHT.
Like all the weight that I spend two years losing for my wedding – it’s all back.
It Was Rough
The Boy tried so hard to help me but what could he do?
He bought me whatever food I wanted and ignored how messy our house was.
At one point, I was so miserable and guilt-filled that I started crying and apologizing for everything.
He totally won Husband of the Year points for snuggling me and saying, “Don’t worry about that stuff. You’re busy. You’re making a person.”
Thanksgiving Almost Wasn't
I still felt bad around Thanksgiving but still insisted hosting it at our house (this was still when we weren’t telling our family about the baby).
Thanksgiving is MY holiday and no baby is stopping me from cooking that dinner.
I did pretty well considering but the smell of the turkey and then the Brussel sprouts nearly did me in.
Actually, that’s my husband’s favorite story to tell now from my first trimester (it’s funny… now).
I also managed to stay awake for the entire thing – though I did pass out on the couch before the last guest had even left the driveway.
Why Don't You Just Feel Better?
And yes, I tried everything to feel better.
I switched up supplements, snacked on crackers, and smelled ginger – everything short of prescription medications (which I try not to take ever, even when I’m not pregnant).
Nothin’.
Nothing worked – just resting and eating bad food.
I truly hope that next time is better but at least I feel a bit better because I know what to expect.
Did any of you have a miserable first trimester?
Katie says
Literally feeling this right now. I work from home and it’s a daily struggle to even function. I wonder how all those pregnant moms do it because i feel so weak and so worthless in this stage. I am literally counting down the days till my 2nd trimester.
Cris says
Girl, you’re not worthless – you’re literally growing a whole ass human being. Give yourself grace and some tacos.
Marissa says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this. This was scary relatable because it was literally like I was reading my own life story. Everything you went through I am currently going through EXACTLY the same way. Good to know I’m not going crazy! And I too am counting the days til my 2nd trimester in the hopes I won’t be one of those moms that suffers through this the whole pregnancy. Also, if you don’t mind sharing, what did you end up having? Boy or Girl? I’m curious about my own intuition and wondering if it might be correct 🙂
Cris says
For this pregnancy, I had a girl: https://www.kissmytulle.com/meet-melanie-jocelyn/
Hang in there, I had a miserable first pregnancy and an AWESOME second one. You are not alone. Not every pregnancy is freaking magical.
Marcia says
Thank you for this post. I am in first trimester and so miserably nauseas. Also feel like I cant do a darn thing. Just sit around and be miserable LOL. I also am trying everything. Preggi drops, ginger tea, ginger ale, citrus, crackers, toast etc. but alas, just so wont let up. Wondering how I will get through this, plus pandemic means that we wont be having a steady stream of friends and family visiting… Its’ so hard to wait the 12 weeks to tell friends and family, this is when I need them the most. We told immediate family etc.
Anyway, thank you for the post it makes me feel better knowing that other ladies have very similar experiences. There is not that much literature out there on this that I have found… it all makes it sound like morning sickness is just temporary etc. Anywho, I hope all the mamas in there first trimester feel better soon!
Cris says
I feel you hard. When I was going through this, everyone acted like it was just throwing up and no one could understand that I literally couldn’t throw up (and feel a bit of relief after) – I was just knock-you-down nauseous all. the. time. Hang in there, mama.
Mounika Arkala says
Thank you for the post!! I am in my 1st trimester and literally feeling so miserable right now, I never felt like this from my past entire life. I am just hoping for the better days.
Cris says
Same. It was just so awful. The good news is that I definitely felt better after 20 weeks – hopefully, you do, too!