Quantcast

Symptoms All Over This Place

Today I am so tired that I don’t know what to do with myself. I slept plenty last night (save for the bouts of insomnia; more on that in a moment) and have hardly been running myself ragged lately, but man: TIRED.

Like, haven’t yet gotten out of robe and am having trouble typing tired. Want German Chocolate Cake and am thinking I may have to ring up Big Daddy’s and get a slice delivered because I cannot handle four flights of stairs tired.

But so far, fatigue has been my only major pregnancy symptom. Very luckily, I’ve had no morning sickness (well, there was one little bout early on, but just the one). There’s been moodiness – oh, yes – and it’s bad when it’s there (I have a little story to tell you one of these days about a Virgil-related incident that left me spread-eagled on the floor in total meltdown mode), but it’s not there all that often. And I think I’m doing a pretty good job of acknowledging when I’m in a bit of a state and recognizing that while it may feel like the world is ending, nothing is actually wrong.

Other than that, here’s what I got (mostly in small doses):

- Breakouts on my cheeks and the bridge of my nose, probably the only two spots where I have never in my life suffered from breakouts (this was much worse in the beginning, and is almost gone at this point). I dealt with this by majorly streamlining my skincare routine: it’s now just Cetaphil cleanser and Kiehl’s moisturizer, with Mario Badescu Drying Lotion as needed.

- Pretty nails for the very first time in my life. I’ve been showing them off with a super-sheer, healthy-looking pink (Essie Pink Glove Service).

- Very occasional but very weird lower back spasms. The first time that happened I did all these bizarre Jim-Carrey-style contortions while walking through the living room, and Kendrick totally thought it was funny and was not even close to sympathetic enough (see: moodiness, above). The only thing that helps with these is not moving.

- Spidey senses: if Kendrick has even one beer, he smells like he poured a bottle of vodka on himself. And I completely cannot handle the smell of Sriracha. Go figure.

- A fun touch of acid reflux due to changing hormone levels. Sexy. (Avoiding things like carbonated beverages, tomatoes, citrus foods, and caffeine helps with this.)

- Nasal congestion. Also sexy. (This is called “the rhinitis of pregnancy,” which is a term that I think is so gross that I can’t even say it out loud.)

- Stomach pain from ligament-stretching (this has gotten much better in the past couple of weeks). Reducing activity levels is pretty much the way to deal with this one.

- Laughter fits (love these).

- Super-soft skin thanks to daily applications of thick moisturizer (I’ve been using Clean Body Butter on my stomach every night, and I adore it).

- Major insomnia (I wake up multiple times a night and often have to make my way out to the couch to get comfortable). Keeping the room cold helps a lot.

- Insane chest pain (sorry if that’s TMI…but I suppose this entire post kind of is). I am now an E. AN E. And my new additions certainly do not help with my sleep issues. I’ve found that a sleeping bra is 100% necessary (I picked up an inexpensive one at Macy’s, but this Elle Macpherson one is just gorgeous).

Are any of you experiencing similar things? What are you doing to help?

P.S. We (hopefully) find out the sex for sure tomorrow. CAN’T WAIT CAN’T WAIT CAN’T WAIT.



You Might Also Like:


  • Anonymous

    Yesterday I was having my monthly cramps and complained to my boyfriend that I’m never getting pregnant because I can’t stand these cramps. This post does not help my fears ;) It’s nice getting the real details though, I don’t think the reality if pregnancy is publicized enough!

  • Anonymous

    haha – nahhh, they’re not that bad. and trust me, they’re way better than menstrual cramps because you know they’re there for a reason, so they’re sort of exciting. it’s just best to know what you’re in for so you don’t get nervous about them (as I did, pre-googling).

  • Miranda

    Oh hey there, pregnancy twin. Seriously. I would CRY at work because I was so tired. Like I caught myself wondering if people would notice if I was sleeping under my desk. It passes… and then comes back. I’m 34 weeks and every day at 2, I can barely keep my eyes open. I broke out a lot, but it went away. Cetaphil is magic.

    I STILL have wretched heartburn and naturally, all this baby wants is ketchup, ketchup, ketchup. I actually ate a spoonful in the beginning. One thing that really helps with the reflux is mint gum. Something about the mint and saliva production, neutralizes stomach acid and if you get it at night, lie on your left side. I can’t explain why it works, but it relieves it immediately.

    I have really dry sinuses. We got a humidifier and I keep a glass of water by the bed. It really helps when you get up in the middle of the night to pee and you can have a sip. Staying hydrated has helped a lot.

    The round ligament pain – have you had much experience with yoga? I do cat/cow and it helps IMMENSELY. It’s basically you, on all fours, arching your back upward as you inhale (cat) and as you exhale BIG, release the tension in your back (cow). While on all fours, you can kind of make a figure eight with your hips (Kendrick will love that show) and that helps relieve the tension in your lower back as well.

    The boobs… Um, I’m an F right now and have been since about week 8. They’re just going to get bigger and eventually, look really hot perched on top of your bump. Speaking of your bump, one way to keep the hubs involved in the pregnancy, let him rub you down with oil/lotion/etc. Eventually the wee one will kick him while he does it and my husband LOVES that he’s “helping”. Not to mention, the look on his face when she rolls around in there really is priceless.

    Hope this helps!

  • Anonymous

    I hope this doesn’t come across as too nosy, but what size are you usually that you’re an E at 16 weeks??

  • Anonymous

    The exhaustion should get better soon – but it’ll be back again in the third trimester – so enjoy the burst of energy when you get it!

    The worst symptoms I’ve had have been the back pain and inability to get comfortable. I can’t even sit in a movie theater for 2 hours. Walking helps with this. Maybe since you’re in NYC and doing a lot of walking already it won’t be so bad. I tried those body pillows – but they’re just too hot for me and limit my tossing and turning which I seem to do a lot of. So I gave up and just put pillows under my feet and belly, which helps. And turn the AC way down. Jacob is always freezing.

    Have you had weird dreams? That’s been my other horrible symptom. Such vivid, exhausting dreams and nightmares that have me waking up crying. Not usually baby related – just totally random and horrible.

    And lastly, having to pee allll the time. Including when I’ve just peed a moment before.

    I had the chest pain in the beginning – I couldn’t even let Jacob hug me cause it hurt. But that went away 2nd trimester. And ohhh the super smell is the worst. I can’t STAND the smell of anything, especially alcohol on someone’s breath. I can smell it a mile away.

    Also, for insomnia, you can take some sleep meds – my doctor recommended unisom or bendryl. Tylenol PM is also ok. I don’t do it often, but sometimes when it’s really bad, I just need a good night’s sleep! And I keep heartburn medicine by the bed. That gets worse in the 3rd trimester.

    Can’t wait to hear what you guys are having!!!
    Marianne

  • Anonymous

    not at all – i’m in overshare land today anyway. a large c, but i was an E by week…8, maybe? that was the very first thing that happened – even before i knew i was pregnant, i was suspicious because the change was so dramatic.

  • Anonymous

    i tried the body pillow too, and it made me nuts!! just way too hot and restrictive, i agree. and oh my god on the bathroom trips. i am up and down all night long.

    i’m going to ask my dr about the meds you suggested tomorrow – i tried tylenol PM a couple of times, but weirdly enough it just made my body even more exhausted while adding a dose of anxiety that kept my mind awake. it was even worse than usual.

    i’ve always suffered from terrible, vivid nightmares, but actually my nightmares have gone away and have been replaced by amazing, vivid normal dreams. last night i dreamed – get your ‘groan’ button ready – that kendrick and i met and fell in love all over again. it was pretty wonderful :)

  • Anonymous

    i really should be doing yoga, i know. i just…don’t like it. i don’t like classes, actually – the only way i can tolerate exercise is if i can read or watch tv while i do it, which means the elliptical is the way to go (i’ve been elliptical-ing for 20 minutes pretty much every day). but i will try those stretches next time i have cramps; thank you!!

  • http://barnardbabyblog.tumblr.com Adrienne

    Sleeping bra is KEY- oh man did my tatas KILL. It goes away though.
    Get a pillow to put between your legs if you don’t already. I splurged and got the boppy body pillow- I loved it. Those lower back pains are sciatica and it will stay with you- yes on lowering activity levels, it is the only thing that helps.
    I had breakouts too that I’d never had before- so annoying!

    You feel exhausted like you’ve never felt before, right? For me this happened very early on when I was still not telling people so it was so hard to want to nap at my desk and act like all was the same. Just take lots of naps!!! Do it now while you still can!!!

    I LOVED pregnancy nails, so fun and so lovely. Those go away unfortunately.

    TUMS
    TUMS
    TUMS
    I lived on them, the reflux got pretty bad for me. Tums helpd.

    A lot.

    Don’t be afraid to keep sleeping on your stomach if that is what is comfortable. I was so concerned about it, and as you’ve seen my boy turned out just fine :)

    The worst symptom for me was not being able to breathe when I’d lay down at night as I moved in to the 3rd trimester. I would prop myself way up, but sometimes I would have to sit up and take a lot of deep slow breathes to feel like I could lay back down and be okay.

  • Anonymous

    that’s good to know re: sleeping on stomach! i realllllly want to sleep sort of angled mostly on my stomach or on my back – those are the only two positions that are comfortable – but i was worried they were bad for the baby. i know you’re supposed to sleep on your left side, etc etc…but the “sleeping” part is pretty key, and for me left side does not sleep make.

  • Lindsay Kujawa

    I am an Esthetician and I broke out like crazy when I was pregnant..not good for business lol! What works wonders…and is safe to use it %100 tea tree oil..use a q-tip and dab in on any areas that are breaking out.. helps so much!

    Delighted Momma

  • Anonymous

    excellent idea – thank you!

  • Leilatahv

    I started out a DD. And am coming out of an E at 15 weeks!

  • Pingback: Weekend Snapshots «

  • Pingback: Aww, Honey «

  • http://snappycasual.tumblr.com kelsey williams

    It’s so crazy how pregnancy affects everyone differently! I am 16.5 weeks and since 12 weeks I have been feeling great (before then it was kind of ugly with how exhausted I was). Luckily my round ligament pain is hardly even pain…I even kind of like how it feels…weird? Yeah, I know…

  • Pingback: Last Shot «