Always wondering what it’s like in the first trimester of pregnancy? Want to know what to say when your friend says she is pregnant? Read on for details!
Photos taken last weekend
I know I’ve always been curious about other women’s experiences with pregnancy so I’ll be sharing some of mine on the blog in the coming months. I’ll limit the specific updates to every few weeks or so, but I may share some stories and advice in other posts along the way.
How far along: 15 weeks
Total weight gain: 6 pounds
Maternity clothes: I started wearing maternity pants around ten weeks (only my leggings really fit me at that point). Plus I would get so bloated during the day that even if my old pants fit me in the morning I would be so uncomfortable by the afternoon. My yoga pants and a few loose tops still fit.
Stretch marks: Ah, not yet.
Sleep: Much better in the last couple of weeks. For most of the first trimester I was up frequently from stomach discomfort, being hot, and having to pee (four times a night or more!). I was passing out by 8pm (9pm after the time change) and then past midnight couldn’t sleep through the night. I also napped occasionally.
A few things have helped over the last few weeks: drinking less water at night (plus there is probably less pressure on my bladder now), this pillow
Best moment of this week: I’d say the best moment of the last couple of weeks was our 13-week ultrasound. Seeing the baby jump around and then hearing the heartbeat were pretty incredible moments. Also, sharing the news with our friends and family has been fun.
Miss anything: I already have a running list of things to consume after I have the baby… a bagel with lox, cocktail(s), a really good deli sandwich, diet coke…
Movement: Nothing yet!
Food cravings: I had some cravings in the first few weeks, things like nachos, guacamole, ice cream, fruit and all carbs. Overall, though, I’m just hungry ALL the time.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Luckily no. I may have felt like a zombie for the first trimester, but I very rarely felt sick. And the few times that I did, I just ate extra carbs and that usually helped.
Have you started to show yet: Yes! Although I go back and forth between looking a little pregnant or very fat.
Gender: Don’t know yet but we will definitely find out.
Labor signs: Nope.
Belly button in or out: All in.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Happy or moody most of the time: Pretty happy but I definitely cry more easily than I ever did before. It is worse when I’m hungry.
Looking forward to: I can’t wait to find out the sex!
Fun Facts: I’ve never felt like I was eating so much yet gaining weight so slowly. Sometimes I feel like I can’t get any work done because I have to stop and eat so often.
And in case you were wondering how to act around someone you know who is newly pregnant.
What you SHOULD say when you find out someone is pregnant:
- Congratulations
- That’s amazing, you look wonderful
- You are glowing
- I’m so happy for you
- That is great news
- How far along are you?
- When are you due?
- How are you feeling?
- This is such a wonderful time for you and your family
- I can’t wait to meet the baby
- Let me know if you have any questions about pregnancy or babies
- My friend is pregnant, let me introduce you
What NOT to say when you find out someone is pregnant:
- I knew it! I thought you looked different (This can be okay if you say it delicately. Some women can be really self-conscious of their growing selves)
- No wonder you are eating like a pig
- I’ve been pregnant before, here is all that you ever have to know because I am an expert
- Well, there goes your social life
- Guess you can’t drink, bummer
- Most pregnant women I know went crazy after they had a baby (yes, someone said something like this to me)
- Are you sure you’re not having twins?
- It’s about time
- What, you had a hard time? Here are all the people I know that got pregnant in 0.2 seconds
- Good thing because that clock is ticking
- My friends who have kids are miserable
- Don’t do/eat [insert list of ten million things here]
- Make sure you [insert list of ten million things here]
And on touching the belly:
I actually did not think I’d have to worry about this so early on, but shockingly people love to touch a pregnant belly, even when it’s small. Maybe I’ll feel differently in a few months when I’m much bigger, but right now it still feels like my stomach. Half of the time I’m bloated and uncomfortable and honestly, after years of being self-conscious about how big (I thought) my stomach was, I just really don’t want anyone to touch it. Sometimes people ask, and I guess that is okay, but I always feel like I’m being rude or I’ll hurt their feelings by saying no. Any advice on this?
Any other tips on what or what not to say?
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You are so adorable!!! I already love these posts. It gets me excited for you all over again!
And UGH to people touching your belly. SO NOT OKAY. I mean, if it’s your mom, it’s one thing. But anyone else – off limits.
Thank youuuuu:-)
Yay update! Ok I’m pretty sure I didn’t do any of that stuff when I saw youuuu soooo good :P Thank you again for coming out-I know it started creeping up on your bedtime! I’m seriously so excited for you, you guys are gonna be awesome parents and I’m just so happy! :D
Haha, no you didn’t:-)
Thank you so much for sharing!! I have never been pregnant so I’m eating all of this up!! The touching the belly thing is weird ~ I actually experienced it with one of my newly pregnant friends and I don’t really get why people feel the need to do it! I wish I had some helpful advice. Looking forward to following you to baby :)
Yay I’m so happy for you! And happy that you are feeling good :) The tiredness is what it is, but just enjoy the napping and excuses to sit around and go to sleep early while you can ;)
I used to get really annoyed when people would tell me that ‘my life is going to be over’. Um no. I loved my life before Penelope was born and never want to forget that time, but in some ways, my life just begun when she was born! She is the light of my life! Yes, things are different and it’s not all unicorns and rainbows, but people making it like life is over is pretty annoying. I hope you don’t have too much of that!
I know you don’t need advice or anyone telling you to ‘make sure you xyz…’, but…just enjoy every moment. Seriously. I loved being pregnant…it’s such a special time and things just get better and better from here. As I think about someday being pregnant again, I know it won’t be the same because I will have another baby to chase after while pregnant and probably won’t get to enjoy it as much. Just soak it all up! It’s the best! So happy for you, and if you ever need anything, I’m right nearby!! xxoo
Thank you so much for that comment! See, that is the right thing to say to a pregnant woman:-) And yes, we will definitely need to have play dates!
Congratulations, Lauren! I love this update :)
Thank you, Julie!!
Congratulations!!! Just wait, your list of things people shouldn’t say is going to be pages long by the end. People are crazy!!! You look gorgeous, can’t wait to follow along.
Thanks, Erin, you are too sweet. And yes, I can only imagine how long my list will be in 6 months!
I love love this post! And look at you — so adorable. And yes, hangry is a real, serious condition in pregnancy. :) Also the whole belly-touching thing? Sad to say it only gets worse as you grow — that’s when I hope baby will kick them to say back off. ;)
Aw, thanks, Steph! Seriously, how did I ever think I was hungry BEFORE pregnancy?! Crazy. The good news is that everyone who read my blog has been super careful NOT to touch my stomach since.
Congratulations, Lauren!! You look great! Ah, the belly touching…worst thing ever! Enjoy every minute because it goes by so quickly!
Thanks, Jessica! Right? Don’t people understand personal space?
It is perfectly acceptable to tell someone you would prefer to not have your belly touched or rubbed on. Don’t feel bad about saying no. I hated when people would tell me everything I could not eat. I actually had a friend slap a piece of Brie from my hand. At the time, I had no clue I couldn’t eat it. I was shocked, but now we laugh about it. Congrats! You are doing great so far! I am looking forward to following your journey into motherhood.
Oh man, I would not have liked that! Everyone has such strong opinions and they don’t realize that each person should get to decide for themselves. Oh well… And thank you!
Yay, congratulations again. :) I didn’t accidentally try to touch your stomach the other night, did I? Now I’m paranoid, hah. Well in any event, you DO look wonderful, you ARE glowing, and I am SO happy for you!
Haha no, you didn’t!! Thanks, Tara:-)
Congratulations again!! You are too adorable. I love this post and the updates. Thanks for the things to NOT say :)
Thank you so much, Zainab!!
Eeeeeeeeee!!! So exciting! Aaaaaaand you look great, girl! Thanks for the update :)
Thank you, Katrina!!!
First congratulations! I love your list of what and what not to say. When I was pregnant with my third (after a girl and a boy) I was just shocked that so many people thought it was an accident and didn’t hesitate to ask me! I also wrote a list and sent it a columnist in our local paper. Since I was the third child (after a girl and boy) it was easy for me to say what I needed to and remind everyone that “congratulations!” is all you really need to say.
Thank you so much for your comment, Maria! I can’t believe that so many people would ask that… sometimes people are just dumb haha.
Congratulations!!! I’ve never been pregnant so I have zero advice but you look great!
Aw, thank you, Erin!
As a very special little sister would say, “You do You”!
How can you go wrong with that??
You look great and I LOVE your commentary on what to say to a pregnant woman. Awesome. ;-)
Haha, thanks, Caroline!
My mom lifted up a friend of the family’s shirt once to get a good look at her pregnant belly. I thought that was crossing the line. Touching over the shirt, okay, lifintg up the shirt um no thanks. Esp without warning haha.
Haha, omg, Erin! That is actually really funny.