Month 2 and Freaked Out

Totally normal. it will go away, just give it time, nothing else you can do about it. part of the pregnancy fun:))

You have to slow down and take care of yourself and just deal with it - this is life now and the first of many changes for you. You will improve in a few weeks, till then, rest and be as healthy as you can be!

The only comfort I can offer is to say that I have never in my life experienced exhaustion like the first trimester of my first pregnancy. It was unbelievable - I felt like I was crawling around on my hands and knees. But at week 12 it lifted, and I really enjoyed the rest of the pregnancy. So hang in there!
My second pregnancy was nothing like as bad. What you're feeling is normal, and it probably won't last.

Hi S.,
You have plenty of notes, but I just wanted to add one more encouraging one to say you only have a month to go. With my first it was like I was coming out of a fog after month 3. You will feel like a new person. Until then I know I don't have to tell you to eat lots of small meals and do what you can to stay minimally active. One day this will be a distant, lovely memory!!!

The best suggestion I could offer you is something that my mom told me about being pregnant. I was sick from day one right up through the time I delivered, but my mom told me that I needed to take all of the symptoms of pregnancy in stride - the morning sickness would prepare me for when my child/children were sick so I could remember that moment and really remember it at 2 o'clock in the morning when they were heaving their guts up. Being exhausted would soon be replaced w/being exhausted and not having time to take a nap or rest. My mom had 4 children and to this day I don't think there was ever a moment that she wasn't there w/in a seconds time when we were sick or a movie she wouldn't pick us up afterwards when no one else's mom showed after working a full day only to come home to a f/t job of being a mom. Your energy & all will come back to you - when I was w/in my 1st trimester I would go to bed at 7:30 each night. Once you hit the 2nd it usually eases up a bit, but realize that your body is trying to adjust to all of the changes that are going on right now and sometimes we can't adjust as quickly mentally. Good luck with things!

I was always super active so was totally taken by surprise when I stopped doing anything remotely physical for the first 3 months of pregnancy. Seriously, if I hadn't known I was pregnant I would have thought I had Leukemia or something, I was that tired. It's completly normal and should go away in a month or so.

FYI, don't freak out when after giving birth you can't do a roll-up for months. I remember trying from time to time and just lying on the floor and laughing.

Hi S.,
Please remember to take your prenatal vitamins. They will help with renewing your energy, and do not forget to eat regularly, and get plenty of rest. Carrying another little person inside of you, is tiring, so sleep whenever you can.

If you are having problems with taking them in the mornings, due to morning (or all day) sickness, then take them with food, or at night.

If you are having cravings, indulge in them. In my opinion, this helps with having a happier baby, (I've never had a colicy baby) and mommy.

Good luck

S.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I hear you. A dedicated gym rat before becoming pregnant, I wasn't prepared for the exhaustion I felt in my first trimester. The hormones working overtime, the anxiety inherent in a first pregnancy and working full-time in an office didn't help. I was too tired to get out of bed, let alone even think of working out.

Ironically, the best thing to do for your exhaustion is to exercise. My OB/gyn advised me to stay active but cut back on the intensity of my aerobic workouts. He also advised me to sit on a weight bench when doing upper body strength work to avoid straining my abdomen and use lighter weights. And no ab work at all after the fourth month!

I started working out again at eight weeks and my exhaustion evaporated. Getting motivated will be the hardest part, but after getting through that first workout you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel. Just make sure your doctor clears it first. If you absolutely can't bring yourself to exercise right now, then take it easy until the exhaustion naturally eases after the first trimester.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Hi S.
Seems perfectly normal to me.
Just about the time everyone starts to know you are pregnant things get better.
God bless you and your new little one
Take care of yourself, that new little one depends on that. If you are tired it is a signal that you need rest, so rest.
K. --- SAHM married almost 39 years --- adult children 38,33,and twins 19, I was exhausted with all but the exhaustion was unbelievable with the twins was unmistakable.

The 1st 3 months of my 1st pregnancy made me slow down and rest. I am a former aerobics instructor and was used to working out and taking long walks all the time. I have to say that during the 1st trimester... I was tired, hungry and would vomit every few hours(even through the night). I even blacked out once. I couldn't stand to be near tomatoes or tomato sauce. I would have to excuse myself if anybody was near had a dish of spaghetti.

That period felt like it was going to last forever. Then, during my fourth month, I started vomiting less, I could eat more of a variety of foods and was able to gradually begin to go back to the gym. I felt great during the 6 and 7th month!

My second pregnancy was a snap. I had very little morning sickness and I could eat almost anything. I excercised 3x a week except during the second month.

Congratulations !!!
Kristen

S.,

First, congrats on the baby. Second, you are very strong for being aware of being freaked out and sharing it with others. I know that all new moms feel the same way. You will find your own way of dealing with things that fit your style as well as your baby's personality, which is developing every single day. What I would suggest is ask for help. I found that it was the only way to catch up on sleep, and continue to be the person that I was prior to having someone new attached at the hip. :-)

Good luck. -----M.

The first trimester is SO draining. It may seem far away, but in about a month you'll regain a lot of your energy and will to move around!

Hi S.,
I'm the mom of an 11-month old boy.

I know that everybody's probably told you that all this is normal. it really is! and if you're 8 weeks, the queasiness and exhaustion are probably going to be out by week 13.
I was extremely active before my pregnancy, but was knocked out by nausea and being tired all the time for the first trimester.

But the good news is, that by the time I got done with the first three months, I had more energy than I had even before my pregnancy, and was able to be extremely active throughout the rest of the pregnancy. A few of my friends also experienced something similar.

So although it seems never-ending, don't worry. It will be over soon and you'll be back in action for the rest of your pregnancy.

hope all goes great!

N.

Not to worry. During my 2 pregnancies, I would fall asleep on my job. I was queasy until I ate, could not stand the smell of cooking (making dinner was not easy) and my breasts hurt so bad.......then came the 4th month and I was fine. My energy came back, so don't worry............after a few months the hemmorroids kicked in, so the tansitions were somewhat apart. All is normal,so try to take it in stride. BTW, my 1st was in breach and I had a hard time sitting because her head was crushing mt ribs. Everything is normal. Any concerns, talk to your OB/GYN. The best part was my hair was thick bcause nothng was falling out! Relax, you are normal. Good luck!

Hi S.,

The first month of pregnancy can be so so hard. Yes, this is normal, but that doesn't make the experience any less difficult.

Here are some tips that many of my doula clients have found helpful:
sniff lemon, orange, or grapefruit rind
eat a high-protien snack before bed
have whole weat crackers next to your bedstand to eat just after waking
eat crunchy, salty foods
take wheatgerm dissolved in mild- a few teaspoons every hour
suck on peeled ginger root
wear motion sickness bands on your wrists
drink red raspberry leaf, peppermint, squaw, or spearmint tea
drink liquids between meals, not with them
increase vitimin B6 (check with care provider first)
try taking prenatal vitamins late in day
don't brush your teeth immediately after eating
chew gum
eat lemonade popsicles.

Sending warm wishes to you for a healthy pregnancy, and relief soon.
C.

have the dr. do a blood test.. just to see what's going on.. you might be anemic.. or low blood sugar.. or something.. check it out and good luck

Oh this is so normal. With my second pregnancy, I felt blah the entire time. What helped me was a prenatal massage. Find a really good one that does stretches too and it may help put the bounce back in your step. But wait til past your second trimester. Ask your ob also when a good time for massages would be. Don't worry, your hormones are rewiring
and going haywire so your body is reacting to them with exhaustion. I don't miss that feeling but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Good luck!

The best advice I can give you is to not only acknowledge how you feel, but don't try to fight it. Go with it. Allow yourself to rest more often, snack more often, find an outlet for your emotions. Recognize that pregnancy is a State, a new state of being for you physically, mentally and emotionally and a state that is in constant flux. If you can find a way to just go with it I think you will find it is a bit better.

This will pass and you will get some of your energy back. Your body is adjusting to the hormonal changes, plus the little one inside. Be patient and relax.

The only advice I have is graze (eat little snacks) throughout the day to keep your blood sugar as steady as possible. That and wait for the 2nd trimester when you will feel as great as possilbe while being pregnant :)

When I was pg I felt like I was swimming through wet concrete. Every cell of my body felt tired from my toenails to my hair and everything in between. After lunch I would wait painfully until 4:30 when I could leave work, go home and nap on the couch until I could get enough energy to cook dinner. Luckily i had no nausea, but I could barely function. Things improve immensely during the 2nd tri!!!

Dear S.,

I felt the exact same way at eight weeks. Just listen to your body and sleep when you are tired and eat little light snacks to keep the quesiness down. My body liked goldfish crackers and just lots of carbs in general.

I can only speak to my experience, but after the first trimester, you will feel less exhausted and queasy.

Good luck,
E.

S.!

Hang in there! I was 'allergic to food' for the first 4.5 months, and then I ate normal levels (I mean normal for everyone else, I usually was just a bottomless pit).

GET YOUR REST. If you need to put your feet up on a folded blanket, do it now.

My thought is: Don't fight it. Your body, and baby, are giving you a message. Stock up now. Sleep == less moodiness for me. It might for you.

You might (re)evaluate your prenatal vitamins, too. Eating healthy is definite - vitamins are also too.

Get checked out by your doc, also; you might have something else going on that you wouldn't suspect because you're usually healthy.

Most of all, sit back and enjoy the changes as they come. Around 12 weeks or even sooner you might feel the first kick. Focus on your firsts for the baby and your sake. Be positive!

Above all, congratulations! I hope you have every opportunity to breastfeed if that is your choice.

Good luck!
M.

I'm not as active as you, but in the beginning of my pregnancy I could NOT keep my eyes open. Your body is preparing for big things, let it rest. Besides, the best advice I got while pregnant was sleep now and enjoy it because you will not get much over the next 18 years or so.

First off, congratulations!

I feel your pain...those first few months of pregnancy are VERY difficult for many women. To help the queasiness, just eat lots of small snacks throughout the day. Keeping your stomach full at all times will help reduce the nausea as well as give you more energy. If you're craving greasy food, then get some greasy food. Don't listen to all the healthnuts out there who tell you that junkfood will harm the baby. Trust me, it won't! :) It's just important that you eat what you can, and if your body wants a big mac, get a big mac. As far as fluids go, sip small amounts of seltzer water. The carbonation will help the nausea as well as keep you hydrated.

Get rest whenever possible. The house chores can wait. That was the hardest part for me...being too tired to get my cleaning done, but laying down to take a nap took priority quickly.

Good luck and hang in there. Usually once you hit the 3 month mark, you start to feel better.
Lynsey

My doctor gave me "Morning Sickness Magic" : http://www.supportedbirthazstore.com/servlet/the-15/Morni...

And while it didn't make everything go away, it did help. I was sick from about 7-8 weeks til about 17 weeks (but i was having twins and i think that the extra pregnancy hormones from having two really did me in). As for being wiped out, just try to rest as much as you can. Your body is working really hard right now!!! In a few weeks, you'll hopefully be over the worst of it and able to resume your regular routine.

Good luck!!