Symptoms

It may seem weird to tell you about my symptoms from the first trimester when I’m well into the second. But there was a lot of stuff to catch you up on first. 

In the first few weeks of the pregnancy, I felt pretty good. There was some minimal cramping, but no major symptoms. 

That started to change around the 8- and 9-week marks. I definitely started having some nausea. There was a lot of Sprite and Ginger Ale drinking in those days. 

And then my nurse reminded me I could try taking Unisom and Vitamin B6, as that can help morning sickness. It sounds odd, but it does work. 

The challenging part was finding the right Vitamin B6 dose. You’re supposed to take a low dose (25 mg) four times a day. The Unisom is just one pill in the evening, so that was easier. I had to go to Amazon to find the right B6 dose. 

I was pleasantly surprised with how well this unique combo worked. I could definitely tell if I’d skipped a dose because the nausea would come back. 

Even when the nausea eased up, though, I still was having a hard time having much of an appetite. I did my best to snack more often, and that helped, but that was an adjustment for me. I’ve never been much of a snacker. I like my three meals a day, and I’m good. 

To be honest, even now I’m still trying to find my footing with eating the right amount and eating often. At my 8-week appointment, I’d actually dropped weight, so I’ve been making an effort to eat more since then.

In addition to the nausea, I also had major fatigue. I was taking a nap almost every day. (Thank goodness for working from home three days a week). I was able to head down to the couch and catch some zzz’s on my lunch break. 

Weekends during this time were meant for sleeping. I’d go to bed before 10 p.m. (almost unheard of for this night owl), sleep all night, take a 2-3 hour nap the next day, and then get a full night’s sleep that night. 

Sleeping and laying on the couch became my new hobby. 

The beginning of the second trimester brought some relief from both of those symptoms. I still have to eat pretty regularly to avoid a little nausea, and I still take the Unisom and B6 regularly, but it’s so much better than it was. 

The fatigue has also eased up. I still like a good nap on occasion, and there were a lot of naps around Thanksgiving! I think I did more in those few days than I had in the previous three months combined!

I’ve also been noticing a few bouts with heartburn and some lower back pain, but, overall, the second trimester has mostly been symptom free.