Riding the Rollercoaster: My Journey Through Pregnancy Symptoms
Hey Bleu Bells,
It’s time for a heart-to-heart on a topic rarely discussed in all its gritty detail—pregnancy symptoms. I'm pulling back the curtain to share my rollercoaster ride through the first and second trimesters. It's been wild, weird, and sometimes downright unbearable!
Sometimes I can’t believe I am going through all this shit. I experience a new symptom every other week. I feel like I am going crazy sometimes. I know it sounds dramatic, but I am being honest. I think I am undergoing constant physical body changes daily, like in a science lab being tested. But having a child is the actual test of them of all!
The Unexpected Guests: Itchy Skin, Hot Flashes, and More
Imagine feeling like an army of ants is marching over your body. That's my reality with these sudden itching spells. Sometimes, my whole body feels on fire, with my stomach leading the charge. I’ve had moments where I just wanted to strip down and lie bare, with nothing touching my skin. My body no longer belongs to me. This has become my reality for the last two months.
Then there’s the spitting—oh, the spitting! Excessive saliva (medical folks call it Ptyalism) has turned me into a spitting machine, especially troublesome during my first trimester. I’m talking about having to spit into a cup every other second. It's not just annoying; it's downright nasty feeling the saliva build up and having to deal with it constantly.
I deal with this at work, in the car, at home, you name it. It’s constant. This may be one of the worst symptoms one can encounter. Sometimes, I sit there with this nasty taste in my mouth and stare at the ceiling in disbelief. My doctor said it may not go away until I give birth. Of course, she would say this. It would be too good for this symptom to go away in my first trimester. I haven’t been able to enjoy drinking water or eating without spitting constantly for 2 months straight. I know this is a lot of information, but this is my life for the next 4 months. I’m not ready, but I have no choice.
My uncle said women are made for this, and you know what, he’s right. Women experience symptoms like mine and worse every day during and after pregnancy. I never knew woman experienced so many different things with their bodies during pregnancy, but how would I if I never asked?
Pregnancy Truth:
I can’t believe we go through so many things with our bodies. It’s not easy, nor a bit of fun. I rarely hear women complain or even talk about it. But now that we are in a different age with social media, mainly YouTube, it has become more prevalent to hear women speak about what they are enduring and coping. For a good three weeks, I did not know how to cope. I was constantly sad and frustrated. I did not know who to talk to; I may have felt that I couldn’t talk to anyone because I was struggling with it, and I did not want to throw this stress on anyone else. So, I became silent in my thoughts. I tend to internalize my feelings and sometimes feel I am the only one struggling with them. This is where your mind starts to play tricks on you. Pregnancy is a lonely place when you are struggling day by day, trying to make it through the day. It's just you and your baby surviving and learning from each other.
So now is the time to share with those who may not know what to expect during pregnancy and how to deal with it day by day.
Daily Management: Tricks and Tips
I've turned to a few strategies to manage these wild symptoms. Here’s what’s helping me keep my sanity:
1. Frequent, Small Meals: Helps manage saliva and keeps nausea at bay.
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Strawberry greek yogurt
Grilled chicken
White rice
Black beans
Lemons “To help with the nasty aftertaste of anything.”
2. Oral Hygiene: Brushing teeth and using mouthwash multiple times daily makes a huge difference.
Alcohol-Free Mouth Wash-RiseWell Mouthwash-This mouthwash is amazing! My dentist recommended this a year ago, and I love it. I know it’s a bit pricy but worth it.
Benefits:
3. Hydration Tricks: Sipping ice-cold water frequently helps, though I struggle with the phlegm it brings. Try to drink water with electrolytes. My go-to water is from Costco. Super affordable, and it lasts long! This water has such a smooth taste.
Ice-cold water helped with the nasty spit taste when I bought a Stanley Quencher. Again I never thought I would spend this much money on a damn cup, but I love it! Especially now. Drinking cold water throughout the day has been a lifesaver. All I do is fill it with ice and pour my water daily. This has changed the game for me! And I love the new line of neon colors they have!
And for the spitting dilemma, I've got a tip: use a dark-colored cup with an open top. It hides the saliva, making the process a bit less gross.
Now, let’s talk about the essentials of my survival kit that I need daily.
Survival Kit Essentials
Here’s what’s in my survival kit to help me get through the day:
- Hand sanitizer and face wipes for on-the-go freshness.
- Mouthwash and gum to keep my mouth feeling clean.
- Honeypot sensitive skin wipes are a lifesaver for facial and bathroom hygiene.
Another tip is to be around people who love you. I swear I look my worst in these pictures, but the moment I had with my aunt and uncle this past weekend made me feel so full. The amount of love is unexplainable. I had my belly out the entire weekend, and it was such a beautiful and relaxing time. I will cherish this moment forever. Please, Bleu Bells, don’t judge my hair lol. I washed it and wore it in a bun all weekend!
I've never felt more beautiful than at this moment
〰️
I've never felt more beautiful than at this moment 〰️
Check out my weekly YouTube Pregnancy Confessional! Alone but Not Lonely: Navigating Social Shifts in My Late 30s Pregnancy
This pregnancy journey is teaching me resilience in ways I never imagined. From dealing with bizarre body reactions to adjusting my daily habits, every day is a learning curve. And while it’s been incredibly tough, I’m finding my strength in the struggle and sharing it all with you.
Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, if you're riding this wave, too, you're not alone. We're in this together, learning to navigate the stormy seas of pregnancy one symptom at a time!
Until next time, keep shining, Bleu Bells!
Again, thank you all for your constant support! Please comment below and subscribe to the Blog and YouTube channel. New Bleu Bells are always welcomed and appreciated!
My mom and brother seeing me for the first time with the belly out!!!