eight is great.

today i am eight weeks. can you believe it? 30-40% of the time i believe, with every ounce of my being, that this is going to work out. i mean, it almost seems fated. just like my mom, i got pregnant two years to the month we first started trying. just like my mother's pregnancy with me, this little one passes every test with room to spare.

though, 30-40% of the time i ignore my current condition. to a point where it's comical. i found myself telling someone that sure, i could take that legal seminar cruise through alaskan waters in august. thankfully, i realized that if this works out i'll be eight months pregnant, and not in need of a cruise away from all medical doctors.

the other 10-20% of the time, i am terrified that this is all going to blow up in our faces.

for now, the hopeful side of my mind is winning.

my symptoms are pretty typical. around week seven, i started getting nauseous and puny feeling if i didn't eat. and then a bit after i ate. so i am eating all of the time and already sick of it. how many saltines can one person stomach? like a book suggested i keep saltines by the bed and eat a few before i get out of bed. it's funny, i sit in a dark room, eating crackers by myself with crumbs falling onto the bed. sucking on fresh lime slices cures every inch of pukieness. last week i consumed three whole bags. i think i may end up with meth mouth before all of this is over. (i'd link a picture but it would surely make me sicky).

almost everything makes me feel nauseous, riding in cars, someone smoking a cigarette three cars behind me with the windows rolled up or closer, strong smells like coffee or alcohol, fast scenes on t.v, graphic medical pictures,  people talking about any of these things...dear mothers, when you ask me how i am, and i tell you that i am nauseous, do not(!!!) for the love of g-d(!!!!) share with me your story of nauseousness in graphic detail. (mom, that means you too.)(and especially after i interrupt such a story...do not keep going!!!).

my boobs are enormous. and i started growing them a long time ago. in middle school. yesterday, i noticed that my bra only covered about i/4 of my boob. my 34 d bra. which i think means that i need the size after dd. and i don't want to buy the size after dd. i mean, what size is that "HUGE!" do they sell it in regular retail stores? or do i have to go to a dirty sex shop downtown?

my boobs hurt a lot. when i roll over at night, they hurt so bad that it wakes me up. oooouuuuccchhh. when i am in my office or at home, i hold them to prevent movement and it's accompanying pain.

i dream the dirtest sexy dreams that i have in my entire life. i can't even give you a hint, because i'm too embarrassed. they are so awful that honestly, they're not so sexy. though, my poor husband who i've cornered and attacked a couple of times would beg to differ. in fact, he'd beg you to save him. (i tried to wait until 12 weeks, but i couldn't)(thankfully, no cramping or spotting (which would be normal) happened afterwards.)(though, we did both say, sheepishly, "sorry baby," afterwards.

which reminds me that i am so thankful that i am married. because, unless you're hallie berry, pregnant ain't so sexy. what up with the chin hair? seriously, i am debating on buying an epilady to clear my rain forest like chin hair growth on the way to work. and i think the little machine wouild get tangled on the leg and other body hair. seriously. and flatulence. bah! and with my lovely bloat, i look three months along already. OMG,i've just made myself nauseous with that visual.

the other symptom demands fiber. i am taking 2x the recommended dose to only so-so results. and what i am taking(fiberall tablets) make me so gassy! which is awful. i would appreciate any suggestions.

while i slept so much during weeks 6 and 7, i seem to have more energy lately. which has largely helped me have the energy to work through my initial depression. thank goodness.

so, congrats, mon petite chou, we're eight weeks. i hope you're getting comfy in there. sorry about the taco bell and coco puffs. i couldn't help myself.

Comments

[Melissa]

As far as being a little slow down south, dried apricots and prunes (they aren't so bad I promise!) work amazingly well at fixing this problem. So does dried apples, however those my friend cause gas.

[tipsymarie]

Yay on 8 weeks! All those symptoms are good. Which you know. So when you wake up and feel like you drank a bottle of red wine the night before; smile. :)

[Lady In Waiting]

Eight weeks - that's absolutely fantastic!! I am so happy for you!!!

Though I have to admit that your description of your symptoms frightens me. I already feel crappy and, without fibercom, I would be lost. Or in the hospital. Or something.

XOXOXO

[Road Blocks and Roller Coasters]

Congrats on 8 weeks! It's so exciting and you've got all those lovely symptoms. YAY! They will get better eventually. I promise! :)

[sharah]

Re: bras. Go to your local Dillards/Belk/Parisian/relatively high end department store and look for Wacoal bras. They're pricey, but worth every penny. And they go up to E/F/G sizes in the store (or at least our Dillards does).

[My Reality]

Congrats on getting to 8 weeks!

[Jen]

Eight weeks is fabulous! Congratulations!

[carrie]

Eight weeks already. Yeah! Only 32 to go. Yahoo!!

[jesspond]

Your chances are getting better and better!

Don't worry, the symptoms get better. Ginger anything helped the nausea for me, and the preggie pops (BabiesRus or Motherhood maternity, or of course, Amazon) worked as well. Especially in the car or the heat.

No suggestions on the fiber issue. Perhaps you could ask if you could take a light stool softener?

I second the sports bra idea for sleeping. Even a soft shelf sports bra might help.

Glad to hear you're doing well!!

[JuliaKB]

I start out a C, and by the time I deliver, I am often past DD. I need G in nursing. Sorry. For now, maybe a strong sports bra would help? Even to sleep in it-- might prevent waking up from pain.

I suck on lemons rather than limes-- a little more bearable. Or yes-- squeeze it into your water or soda water.

The hair, the strong pukies, methinks it's a fetbryo of male persuasion you've got in there. Testosterone causing the hair spruting, you know. If I am right, you might also get a lot more short-tempered and aggressive as this goes on. Let K know, ok? (This hypothesis of mine might also account for the cornering and having your way with your lovely spouse. And the dreams.)

[Angela]

You could try ground flax for fiber. I drink a spoonful in orange juice about 4 mornings a week. I wouldn't recommend taking it that way if you feeling squickish. You can also sprinkle it in oatmeal or yogurt; add to muffins or other baked goods depending on what you feel like eating. The flax will mimic (can replace) oil when baked so I would look for recipes specific to using flax in them.

Ginger Altoids might help with the nausea.

[kate]

WOOT! Eight weeks! Good on you!

I occasionally get nausea with the Met.formin if I don't eat before taking it. What seems to help me when it gets really bad is a cool cloth on the back of the neck. I don't know why, but it always seems to make nausea feel better. A friend showed me this once 10-ish years ago when I was out at a restaurant with a group and started feeling bad. Just run a washcloth under cold water, squeeze it out, fold it and put it across the back of your neck. And when it warms to body temp, take it off, unfurl it, wave it around for a minute or so (it'll cool back off), and you can use it again. It's not a long term solution, but if you're feeling like an event is imminent, it can calm that feeling long enough to get you to the store for more saltines or to get you to a more comfortable place.

Another that I have tried is ginger syrup, though that is only moderately effective for me. It tastes great in tea, though, so I use it anyway, sometimes. Grate about 2 tsp of fresh ginger into one cup of water, add two cups of sugar and barely simmer for about 5 minutes until the sugar is dissolved, then let it cool, strain it and take a teaspoon or two (or put it in tea). It will keep in the refrigerator for a month or two.

I also second the sparkling water with lime juice. It might be easier on your teeth. Very cold water can also help (it makes the stomach contract ever so slightly, which can ease a wobbly stomach sometimes, and also can help clear your mouth of the hyper-salivating thing that sometimes comes with nausea). Or a sno-cone for that matter- ice chips, plus a sugar syrup (obviously not good if you're at risk for gestational diabetes, but in moderation it might be okay) would be not too dissimilar to a flat soda over ice, which I have also heard recommended.
I've heard vitamin B6 can help, but I'm guessing that you're probably already taking a multi-vitamin.

Can you tell I hate being nauseated? I'll try just about anything to get rid of it!

As far as the fiber thing goes, a couple of years ago, I had a "bad situation" (I won't share, 'cos I you said hearing stories can make you feel ill!), but needless to say, it was due to not watching how much fiber I was getting. So, now, I am very VERY careful to make sure I get enough fiber. If I'm not getting enough raw fruits and vegetables, I will supplement with ground flax seeds. They have almost no taste (they're slightly nutty), and you can add them to almost anything. I will stir a tablespoon or so into yogurt, or on top of cereal. You can really put them on almost anything, but if you buy them pre-ground, you need to keep them in the freezer. Otherwise, you need to grind them fresh, 'cos your body can't use the fiber in them if they're whole. Flax seeds themselves are not that high in fiber, but for their calorie content (and total size!) they are very high in fiber.
Other than that, here are other foods that are naturally high in fiber that can add to your diet:
Oatmeal, black beans, lentils, sweet potatoes (I know you like those!), raspberries, avocados, peas, grapefruit and apples.
Obviously, any fruit or vegetable will be high-ish in fiber, but these are the ones that consistently are at the top of the list of high fiber foods.

And, it warrants saying, but if you are taking a fiber supplement, and aren't seeing results, you might want to also bump up your water intake as much as possible. If you are eating a high fiber diet, but are not consuming enough water, then you could actually be making the problem worse.

Whew. Hijacking of your blog is now over. I (apparently) spend too much time thinking about digestion, and most of what I've said you've probably already heard, but hopefully, you've found something useful in all of this.

Woot! Eight weeks! Cool!

[Cibele]

Congratulations! 8 weeks already? I am so happy for you. I seem to have every symptom on the book! yay for that. You're right, pregnancy is not sexy! And it gets worse LOL

Take care and congratulations again

[Hilary (The Trying Game)]

I am just thrilled for you, K. Keep at it, MPC!!

Yup, sounds like you're very, very pregnant!

[allypally]

I drank sparkling water with lime juice and fresh grated ginger which seemed to help the upset stomach thing. Can you eat more fruit or eat granola for breakfast to help with being slow on the downtake? I'm trying to use words that won't make you sick. 2 months! Congratulations to you and your petit chou!

[Somewhat Ordinary]

There are 2 bits of good news in all of these symptoms: 1. These horrible syptoms go away soon and during the 2nd trimester you will feel better than ever and 2. If all goes well you have a great chance of ending these 9 or so months with a real life baby!

I was miserable those first weeks and honestly now that they are over I pretty much have forgotten how bad it was. I guess it is sort of like labor.

Hope you start feeling better soon!