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! 

Pregnancy Diary: Week 34

14/10/13

34 Weeks Pregnant.

A lot has changed this week. I am still getting awful heartburn but it seems to of developed into acid reflux and I now cough up acid which isn't very pleasant. I am still struggling to sleep but it has gotten worse. It's not that I am uncomfortable in bed, it's just that I am unable to drift off. Most days I will see the sun setting and hear the birds singing before I have even had a wink of sleep. Back pain has jumped on the band wagon this week too and if I am on my feet for long periods of time it becomes very sore and stiff which makes it difficult to walk. Thankfully I haven't had to deal with that throughout the entire pregnancy which I know some women do. The final symptom to emerge this week is what people refer to as "Lightening Crotch." My pelvis area feels extremely heavy, almost feels bruised and I get the occasional shooting pain every now and again. I have heard that this is totally normal as it is just the baby getting himself prepared and into the correct position. These changes are welcomed because no matter how uncomfortable they are they are just my body's way of getting ready for labour. 

It's harder to tell how much the bump has grown this week. I know it has gotten bigger though because a T'shirt that just about fit me last week is now too short on my stomach. I have measured big at every midwife appointment but to me I don't feel huge. In early pregnancy when I would think about how big I would be at 34 weeks I expected to be a lot bigger. I know there could potentially be another 6 weeks left to become humongous though so I'm enjoying not being massive just yet although I do struggle to get up off the sofa now and bending down is near enough impossible. 

The baby feels even stronger this week and his movements make my belly protrude at funny angles. I have been enjoying these new feelings thoroughly. When you touch the bump he will respond with a little kick, it's lovely. Also when I listen to my favourite band he will wriggle around like crazy like he is dancing. He either has great music taste like his Mummy or is telling me to turn it off, haha. I know I say this all the time but I am going to miss him being in my belly. 

I'm getting used to being at home on maternity leave. Like I had planned I have been keeping busy cleaning, cooking and sorting but I also have been enjoying plenty of naps and have been indulging in trashy American TV. I love it and I am making the most of the free time while I still can. I also like to spend countless hours just imagining our baby. It almost feels like a dream that he will be here soon!