Nausea, nausea, everywhere!

I'm currently 7 and a half weeks pregnant and this post will stay in my drafts until I've announced my pregnancy at 12 weeks. As I sit here and type I can't describe how sick I feel, it's overwhelming. I don't remember feeling this sick with Noah, just in the mornings but then it subsided for the rest of the day. This time around I wake up with it, it sticks with me for the entire day and the strangest of things can make it even worse. Though lemonade gives me some relief! 

I aimed to be healthier in this pregnancy because when I was expecting Noah I put on over two stone. Two years later and I'd pretty much lost all that baby weight after a lot of hard work and changes but I can already see myself sliding into my bad habits. Weight gain is all part in parcel with pregnancy of course and I know I will gain in this one, I just hope not as much. It's just this time around I wanted to make healthier decisions when it comes to food and to stick to Slimming World the best I can but with the nausea it's been near enough impossible. Most foods are currently turning my stomach and the only food my body seems to be able to hack is bread, crackers, crisps, sweets, lemonade and ice lollies. When you can't stomach most food you literally eat whatever you can manage but it's just typical that the stuff I'm able to eat is the stuff which isn't healthy. 

I've also got to think how fortunate I am because I've not had morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum like some of my friends do so in comparison this is a walk in the park. It sure doesn't feel like it though especially when you can't open your fridge anymore without retching and even the sun shining too brightly on your face turns your stomach. I'm just hoping the nausea subsides once I get to second trimester! 

Did you get nausea, morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy? 

Cravings and nausea and heartburn, oh my!

It's no secret that I loved pregnancy. I was one of those annoying pregnant woman that thrived through it and seemed to bloom. From the very beginning I embraced it and until I gave birth to my son it was the happiest time of my life. The knowledge that my partner and I had created a life together was incredible. Then going on to carry and nurture that precious life inside of me for nine months is simply indescribable, there are no words!

Nausea
Although I was lucky enough not to experience morning sickness I often felt extremely nauseous. In my first trimester there were only certain foods that I could eat. The thought, look and smell of most foods turned my stomach.

Cravings
Thankfully once in second trimester the nausea stage came to an end and all I wanted to do was eat, eat and eat. It was like my body was making up for lost time! Nevermind "eating for two" I was eating for five thousand! When my appetite returned I then started to get those illusive cravings. You name it, I craved it. My main cravings where; milk, crisps, crunchy nut cornflakes, orange juice and chips and gravy!

Heartburn
It's no wonder that with all the eating and all the cravings that heartburn raised it's ugly head. Not only are certain foods a trigger for heartburn but when you are pregnant you are prone to experience it more. There are numerous causes for heartburn during pregnancy such as hormonal changes in first trimester and the womb pressing on the stomach in second and third trimester.

Heartburn and indigestion symptoms- 

Heartburn

• The symptoms of heartburn (acid reflux) are generally described as a kind of tightening or burning sensation in the back of the throat and chest area
• Some people also experience a bitter or acidic taste in the back of the throat

Indigestion

• With indigestion, pain may be felt in the chest or top of the stomach
• However many people complain of feeling 'bloated' or uncomfortably full and gaseous - needing to burp, belch or pass wind a lot
• There may also be nausea or vomiting and a loss of appetite.

I suffered with heartburn throughout my pregnancy. I would wake up with it and would go to bed with it too. This was before I was prescribed Gaviscon (which is safe to take while pregnant) and it helped tenfold. I found taking it in the morning and after I ate relieved my symptoms so much and made me a happy Mummy to be. You have so many things on your mind, so many things to do and very little energy when expecting, heartburn is something you don't want to be dealing with and you don't need to. Don't believe the myths that you are carrying a hairy baby, go get help - Gaviscon works wonders! 

I Love Pregnancy

I thought I would write a post all about everything I've loved during my pregnancy. Becoming pregnant has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Nurturing this life inside me has been a life changing experience and one I have enjoyed thoroughly. It's almost sad that it will shortly be coming to the end but I will then have my baby then, at long last. 

Firstly of course I love my boy. I love the thought of him being in my belly, the thought that I am never alone. He is always with me wherever I go and his big kicks are a reminder that he's strong and well. Words can't express how much love I feel for him already and I can't even comprehend how I will feel when I lay eyes on him for the first time. It brings tears to my eyes imagining it and I get goosebumps. I already have this super protective maternal instinct over him and I can't wait for it to develop and grow.

My bump, I have been bump obsessed. Watching my bump get bigger and bigger week by week has been incredible. The stretch marks as unsightly as they look are and will always be a constant reminder of carrying him and I am already proud of them. I know for a fact that once he is here I will miss my bump so much. I find so much comfort from giving it a rub and totally used to it being there now. I will miss his little wriggles. When I first wake up in the morning and he is nice and still if I begin to talk he will move around in response. When you feel your baby move inside you it's a magical indescribable feeling. 

I love how pregnancy has brought Nick and I even closer. The countless hours we've spent talking about the life we've created and about our future as a family. About our hopes and dreams for our son and what values we want him to have. It is the biggest, most exciting period of our lives and we can't wait to be a family. 

The crazy dreams. I have given up watching films as I may as well sleep as my dreams are so much more entertaining. From playing domino's in the big brother house, to giving birth to kittens there is never a dull moment in my mind at bed time.

The excuse to eat whatever I fancy. Waking up at 2am and eating cake then thinking well I am eating for two! I will really miss using that excuse. I don't think my scales will miss it though as I must of put on at least two stone during the pregnancy.

I probably could go for another hour but I will end it here. As you can see I have enjoyed every second of my pregnancy and really looking forward to the next chapter!  

Cravings

One thing that comes hand in hand with pregnancy are the cravings and when I first became pregnant I used to wonder what crazy cravings I would develop. Sadly as of yet my cravings have been a little boring. No nibbling on coal or chewing sponges! 

The only time my cravings have gotten a little crazy was when I ate half a lemon. I actually sent my other half to the shop to buy me a lemon. He came back, I scoffed half then had the worst heartburn known to man. I have also craved things I generally never eat such as tinned hot dogs! Normally the thought of them make me want to gag but one night it's all I wanted to eat. That is about as strange as it has gotten for me so far. 

When I was in first trimester it was all about the orange juice and ready salted crisps. I was suffering from bad nausea so they were two of the only things that I could actually stomach. Then that craving evolved and I began dipping my ready salted crisps into Philadelphia cheese. Very naughty. 

Next up in second trimester it was all about dairy. My favourite snack would be chopped banana smothered in Nutella and doused in squirty cream. Big tall glasses of milk and cheese butties. 

So far in third trimester it is all about the Crunchy Nut Cornflakes. My nausea seems to have returned so hopefully that will go away soon so I can continue on my epic food fest! 

Here are some of the delicious foods I have craved whilst being pregnant! Everyone loves a good food picture or ten!

What foods did you crave in your pregnancy? 

PS: I have really enjoyed using the excuse of eating for two on more than a dozen occasions! I will miss that one once baby is here!