Pregnancy: Things people don’t tell you about the first trimester
The thing about finding out that you are pregnant is that you think you’re going to hang around, living your life and having fun, before the preggy signs and symptoms kick in. Not true. Not true at all. There’s a bunch of stuff that people don’t tell you about the first trimester of pregnancy. I mean, before I knew that these symptoms were an actual thing, I thought that I was simply being dramatic. Do you feel that way, pregnant fairy? Well, I’m here to tell you that you are NOT dramatic at all. Call me the preggy myth buster if you must. These first trimester feelings that you’re having are all totally legit!
5 things they don’t tell you about the first trimester of pregnancy
1. Morning sickness does not only happen in the morning
In fact, my morning sickness lasts pretty much the whole, darn day. I think that feeling nauseous and actually throwing up would be great compared to having that never ending queasy feeling follow you around like a bad smell. Fortunately, the morning sickness only lasts for approximately 12 weeks of your pregnancy. Food aversions and cravings are all pretty natural too, and yep you can expect them as early as the first trimester! Your digestion is slowing down, which could make some of your most favorite foods totally intolerable right now! And your cravings do not have a time limit, so if you want to shove your face into a bowl of ice cream, but you’re not even showing yet, I say go for it!
2. Tiredness does not only begin when your belly is round
You are literally exhausted from the get go. Why? Well, because your body is pumping double the amount of blood it usually does, working overtime to help create the placenta and all the other good stuff that your baby needs to thrive in the womb. Consider yourself an oven that needs to heat up really quickly. Takes alot of energy, right? Don’t feel weird about being exhausted when there’s no bump to show for it. You’re entitled to your tiredness. Tell them I say so.
3. You pee alot
And again, people may wonder what’s with the frequent urination if there’s no baby to “rest” on your bladder. Well consider the extra blood flow and how it affects your kidneys, causing it to produce up to 25% more urine soon after conception! That’s alot of urine yo. 
4. Your tummy gets huge!
The first trimester of pregnancy is the season of the bloat. That’s right, my preggy fairies, some of us bloat like a hot air balloon. This is largely due to the preggy hormone, progesterone, that relaxes the smooth muscle tissue in your body (including the gastrointestinal tract) which slows down digestion and increases the amount of gas movement. Some mornings my tummy is as flat as a pancake (well, let’s be honest, it wasn’t exactly pancake flat BEFORE the pregnancy, but you know what I mean) and by the time afternoon hits, I’m so bloated I appear to be atleast 6 months pregnant. It’s funny but it’s true. And it’s all totally normal.
5. Hungry. Really hungry.
Again, the misconception that all the action happens when you’re already a-growing is pretty much just that, a misconception. You might be thinking: “why the heck am I so hungry all the time, I’m only a few weeks pregnant!” Well, remember that your body is working overtime so you need all those resources to keep baby growing! Eat sister!
And there you have it. Learning about these first trimester symptoms made me feel a little more normal and a little less dramatic. I love being pregnant and want to enjoy every minute of my little miracle growing inside my belly. I pray the same for you and that your pregnancy is a healthy and joy filled one!
P.S. The photos featured in this post were taken by Nikki Moss a few years ago, when I was pregnant with my daughter.
11 Comments
Karen at MomAgain@40
Yes, all of these! I can remember it also being a very scary time, scared that we would lose the baby!
Mel's Postbox
I am with you on that one Karen, I was also very scared but hyped myself up like a boxer — I had a miscarriage before we conceived again. Our baby now is 11 months.
Luchae
I think that fear might play a big role for most mommys, especially during the first 3 months! I try to keep a positive outlook and make sure I get alot of rest. So glad you have your bouncy baby! 🙂
Simone
That’s a permanent fear when you’re pregnant. I didn’t enjoy it at all..too stressful…plus being sick.
Luchae
It’s such a beautiful time though! Ahhhh sorry that yours was sucky
Simone
Lovely pics!
After my last pregnancy I got sterilised. Suffered from Hyperemesis gravidarum (Kate Middleton sickness people know it as. Lol). Thankfully the worst saved itself for my 3rd child. If it happened 1st time round I never would have had more kids.
Wishing you a healthy pregnancy. .
And one free from excessive morning sickness
Luchae
Dankie! 🙂 I’ve heard of the Kate Middleton sickness. Prayed that away! hahhaha
Mel's Postbox
Yeah my baby is 11 months and when I am hungry, I still get VERY hungry like when pregnant. Tell us the good stuff too 🙂 Congrats
Kyle Vickers
Luchae! Thanks for the info 🙂 i thunk its good for guys to be preapred as much as they can so they can support the wifey during the pregnancy so thank you for sharing this.
Luchae
Ooh is there something that you’re telling me without telling me 🙂
Kyle Vickers
Hey Luchae! Thanks for sharing this with us.
I think its vital that the husband is prepared too, so he can support the wifey as much as possible. So thank you for sharing this, keep em coming:)