Difficult Pregnancy: Tips?

Question

I was just wondering if anyone else out there is having a very tough pregnancy. This is my first and it has been... Pretty awful. After all the articles about getting over morning sickness and getting back my energy, I was holding out some hope that it might improve. I'm 18 weeks now and it hasn't really let up.

Previous to getting pregnant, I was super active - trained for running races and worked out 5 days a week. Prepped meals and scheduled all sorts of fun activities. Now, I literally don't have the energy to do anything.

I've had "anytime" sickness starting at about 6 weeks, am constantly uncomfortable due to what I think is my abdominal wall/uterus stretching out, have bad headaches, I broke out in terrible acne, experience extreme fatigue (like some days I have to sit in my car 30+ min before I can muster the energy to walk to my apt), I have dizzy spells so bad that I have to crouch when walking (or fall over), I don't sleep more than a few hours, and have lost interest in sex (maybe because the fatigue?).

My OB says there is basically nothing that can be done for any of this and medically - the pregnancy is healthy.

At this point, I am even considering not having additional children because I'm only 18 weeks and it's been THAT BAD. Has anyone else had a really bad first pregnancy and had more enjoyable subsequent pregnancies? Any tips on surviving till birth? I'm so weary right now and it almost makes me cry to think that there is so many months of this.

Any support/suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer

This is my 6th like that. I guess I forget each time how bad it really is because once the baby comes it's so worth it!  Try to find a new hobby for a little while, listen to books on tape, pin projects you'd like to do, and lose any guilt. I'm 13 weeks now and work as a fitness instructor and can't make it through coaching without puking. I feel so lame!!!

Answer

My 3 previous pregnancies were a breeze!! This one however has been an ultimate ball ache... morning sickness from weeks 4-13, sciatica and lack of energy n out of breath from 14 weeks till now (24 weeks almost)... uncomfortable n all sorts. If I have pain I try n keep as active as possible to break the barrier n keep going and not think about it, if I feel sick or have major fatigue I rest as much as I can warm baths water bottles for pain ginger biscuits and dry toast m things for sickness. Xx

Answer

I'm 22 weeks with my first pregnancy and it's been awful since week 7. I'm exhausted, I'm still vomiting, I have all day/night nausea. I'm uncomfortable. I have a treadmill at home and use to walk/run every morning, this past week I felt well enough to get back on and walk. I am eating fairly healthy as fruits and veggies are all I can tolerate. Chips, meats, junk is not appealing to what little appetite I have. OB says baby is great and to hang in there. My BP is super 117/77 average. Baby is growing and developing normal. I'm still on diclegis. I just take it one day at a time and hope it's all worth it for baby girl to be healthy.  I joke with hubby she better be a good baby for 9 months after the 9 months of sick she has already put us through!

Answer

I'm on my second pregnancy. Both have pretty much been the same. All day sickness, fatigue, headaches. This time I had to get on nausea meds and my acne is worse.
I was labeled high risk with my first pregnancy and spent weeks in the hospital. Then, my son came early and spent weeks in the NICU. He's a healthy, happy baby!
My point of telling you all this scary stuff is this: I love being a mom. If I have to do it all again in the stressful way I did before then I would. 
So, you'll know after you have your baby whether you want to do it again. All the horrible parts of pregnancy quickly became a thing of the past.

Answer

I just gave birth (in October) to my first child. My pregnancy was rough...
We had to use fertility to get pregnant (5 cycles)

I was hospitalized 3 times for dehydration

I was diagnosed with HG (even with being on nausea meds I threw up until the day I gave birth)

I had placenta previa and was on strict bed rest for over a month

My daughter was breech and I needed a c-section

My c-section opened up and took over 2 months to heal

All this being said and done, when I look at my little doll face all that is forgotten and it makes me love her even more! I would go through that 100 more times to see the smile on her face I do every day! Don't rule out wanting to have more kids until you have you child. More than 1 isn't for everyone (please don't think I'm trying to convince you to have more than 1) but the love that is there as soon as this child was born is like no other! Good luck!

Answer

This is my first pregnancy too and I have also had it really rough. I couldn't eat due to the vomiting, tired constantly but only sleeping a couple's hours then up a few hrs then back to bed, dizzy, migraines, peeing every ten mins, losing weight then very slowly gaining (back to my normal pre-pregnancy weight now). Everyone said wait til second trimester and the nausea will subside and you'll get some energy back and wanna eat and you'll sleep better. About all that got better for me at 19wks is I'm vomiting less times per day and sleep all day but am now up all night and I DO WANT to eat I just have to be super picky with WHAT I eat and WHEN in order to hold it down longer. I understand what you're going through and the doctors told me my pregnancy is perfectly healthy and unless I lose substantial weight (15-25lbs) or am dehydrated then they can't admit me for hyperemesis and there's not much they can do except the nausea suppositories and prenatal vitamins. I have found that sleeping pretty much all day and eating then immediately going to bed have helped a little with the vomiting and whenever I'm nauseous I only eat frozen push up pops or popsicles, the coolness seems to soothe my upset stomach for a time. I avoid anything overly sweet ,including certain fruits, and avoid meat and spices. I drink juice boxes or teas. I also keep myself cool cause if I get warm I get nauseous. Sometimes just stepping outside in the snow helps the nausea too almost immediately it subsides. Im not having much better luck than you but thus far those are the only things that have helped even in the slightest, and if you're as bad as me then even the shortest time of relief seems to be a huge accomplishment. Good luck.

Difficult Pregnancy: Tips?

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