(A Pregnancy Story) Part 2
In Part 1 of Tell Your Own Story, Brittany and Trey found out very early on that they were expecting their Rainbow Baby. They were excited and nervous having experienced this a few months prior and had lost the baby before week 10. They were getting ready to see their practitioner for the first time and being guardedly happy about the pregnancy.
At Orlando Doulas, we understand these early mixed feelings, and can be a source of support and information from your first at home test. Getting a positive result on an at home test is the way many people confirm their pregnancy. This test, which measures hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), isn’t 100% accurate and needs to be followed up with a visit to a Dr or Midwife for confirmation and prenatal care.
While waiting for her confirmation appointment, Brittany started to experience morning sickness, which is thought to be a response to the elevated hCG…
…but let’s let her tell us about it.
In the very beginning, I started having strong food aversions.
I had heard the stories from friends who said that I would experience cravings, so I was kind of expecting something like that, but this was different.
My new little bundle of joy didn’t seem to enjoy anything food related.
My favorite foods no longer tasted the same or even good to me.
Most times..
…even the thought of eating made me queasy.
I knew I had to eat for my new baby to grow and develop, so I trudged on, and most times simply forced food down.
It was, admittedly, tough – I was nauseous if I didn’t eat- but vomiting if I did.
Still, I persisted.
But…almost every time I would lean over to pet my first “baby” – our Boston Terrier, Abby – I would immediately throw up.
Needless to say…
this situation required there be a trash can or bowl ready by my bedside at all times
(or a quick path to the nearest sink) as well as some quick reflexes from Abby!
This was of course frustrating, but also a reassuring sign that our pregnancy was moving along the way it should.
But Wait There’s More..
While I was engaged in my battle with food I also had horrible migraines.
Working as an RN for 13+ hours/shifts was hard during this period – I pretty much stayed exhausted, nauseated, and in pain for most of my first trimester.
Still, I persisted.
I wore the acupressure wrist bands, always kept ginger with me, stayed hydrated, and still the nausea and migraines remained.
I called my OB’s office prior to my first appointment and asked if there was anything she could prescribe, because I had to be able to survive through work. Thankfully, since she knew me from our previous pregnancy, she called in a dissolvable anti-nausea medication (Zofran) and a prescription for the migraines that is safe in pregnancy.
I was grateful the medication provided moments of relief, because while I had heard good things about the nausea bands and the ginger candy they didn’t really work for me.
And that is definitely something I have learned through this process; every pregnancy journey is 100% unique and it is important for me to not feel ashamed if something that works for one (or many) women does not work for me, and to continue to find what is best for myself and my baby.
Another thing that I was able to lean on to get through it was the fact that, as I shared in the last post, this was a rainbow pregnancy,
So I remained focused and grateful, because while these symptoms were definitely uncomfortable, these were all supposed to be reassuring signs that the pregnancy was in fact a strong and viable one.
Our Rainbow Baby is Confirmed
Our first OB appointment was the day before Thanksgiving, November 25th.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still going strong, Trey wasn’t even allowed in to the building for this visit – Only the patient was allowed in the office.
I gave them a urine sample to confirm the pregnancy. The nurse came in and said…
“There’s no doubt about it.
You are pregnant!”
She gave me an estimated due date of July 7th, 2021. At this visit, I also had an ultrasound to confirm.
I got to see the beginning stage of my baby and hear its little heartbeat.
It was such an overwhelming feeling of relief and love.
I knew I would be able to persist with all the uncomfortable side effects of the first trimester as I saw my Rainbow Baby inside me.
Pregnancy side effects are very real
and very different for everyone!
Brittany was able to talk with her Dr and find a bit of relief with some safe for pregnancy prescriptions.
At Orlando Doulas we know that information is power (and sometimes peace of mind).
Understanding the side effects and symptoms that are normal and common during pregnancy, can help to minimize fear and anxiety, and as was the case for Brittany, even bring a sense of relief and gratitude.
We provide comprehensive pregnancy and childbirth classes to help to prepare you for what to expect through each stage of your journey. We also provide continuous support from as early as you want to contract us. We will walk every step of the journey with you.
We also know that the road through pregnancy and parenting is sometimes rocky…
And we’re sorry about that, but we recognize just how resilient you are!
Our doulas have been studying pregnancy, birth and early parenting, for a combined 20+ years and we can’t wait to share all that we’ve learned with you!
You don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes you just have to call in the support troops…
