I don’t know what I thought pregnancy was going to be like - perhaps I had this fictional picture in my head of my nice, round belly and shopping for baby clothes while feeling like I was on top of the world. HA! NOT QUITE REALITY! During my first trimester, I was nauseous most of the time and very fatigued. Just taking a shower and getting dressed was an exhausting task. It got to where I had felt bad for so long that I didn’t remember my “old” self. But I knew it would get better. Everyone kept saying how second trimester was the best, so I hung on to the hopes that second trimester was not too far away.

Then, I found myself in the second trimester of pregnancy. I was happy I had a healthy, growing baby inside. I started getting some of my energy back and the nausea seemed to subside quite a bit. And just about when I thought I was getting into the blissful time of enjoying my pregnancy all sorts of things started to happen. My nose was running constantly, which turned into a sinus infection. Then, my antibiotic caused another common problem among us women that is quite unpleasant. Then, I lost my appetite completely. I would cook a great dinner and not be able to even smell it, much less eat it. It seems right now the only thing I do want is a McDonald’s hot fudge sundae. Then, I started getting these pulling pains and stretching and cramping in my lower abdomen. Apparently, my uterus is stretching to accommodate the baby, and it’s not too pleasant. Then, the vomiting started. I learned very quickly how to change the way I brushed my teeth so I wouldn’t throw up in the sink, and I learned that certain foods (especially spicy or saucy foods) are a big no-no! This leads me to my nightmarish night…

Sean and I enjoyed lasagna, salad and garlic bread for dinner last night. I was proud of myself for being able to actually eat what I had prepared, for once. Then, Sean worked on some computer stuff, and I meddled around the house for a little while. Once we got ready to go to bed, I noticed I had heartburn. So, I grabbed the trusty TUMS and took a few. Thirty minutes later, I wake up to the most excruciating heartburn that I had ever experienced. So, I run back to the bathroom for two more TUMS, hoping I just didn’t take enough. An hour later, I woke up and thought someone had lit a match inside my chest. By this time it was around midnight or so, and I had to wake Sean up because I was in so much pain. So, like a great husband, he ran downstairs to Google heartburn cures and grabbed my list of OTC drugs my doctor gave us that were safe. We tried a glass of milk, we tried almonds, and nothing. So, off he went to Kroger at 1 a.m. to grab some Pepcid. I was so relieved help was on the way, or so I thought. So, I grabbed the box of Pepcid and quickly followed it up with plenty of water, so it would work faster. Ten minutes later I found myself praying to the porcelain toilet god - grrrrrrrreat! By this time, I had no idea if by body had absorbed the Pepcid, and I had already taken four TUMS, so I was worried about the baby’s health and decided I would just pray and ask God to help me get through the night. About four hours later, I woke up with the same pain. So, I ran downstairs to grab the cell phone and called my OB. I was desperate! Thankfully, I have the most wonderful OB office! The receptionist was taking down my message and knew I was in pain and worried about the baby, and she finally just said, “Why don’t you come in today?” THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I’m heading off in a few minutes to the doctor’s office, hoping to resolve this heartburn and make sure the baby is doing ok. One thing about being pregnant is that you constantly worry what you put in your mouth and examine every word of the directions on the box, even if it’s Tylenol that you have been taking for years, to make sure it won’t hurt your baby.

So, to sum it all up… pregnancy is not quite what I expected. I know it will all be worth it in the end. Sorry for my long venting session this morning, but my blogs can’t be happy and perky all the time. They reflect “real life.” I like it that way. We can all learn from each other. I know pregnancy is different for everyone, too. But this little baby is taking me for a ride!