The fourth in a series of pregnancy-related posts.
Nausea, while still relatively mild, has been getting more and more annoying. Today I had a really tough time going into the kitchen, thanks to all the smells there. I was very hungry but the nausea had me holding my breath each time I entered the kitchen. I finally buckled down and put together a steak, potato, and green pea lunch. I popped one piece of potato and immediately started feeling better. Fried, salty potatoes--well, these were baked after being tossed in olive oil, but they tasted similar--have been a huge craving of mine. The salty, peppery, juicy steak--even well-done!--was just what I needed. The green peas made me feel a lot better about the whole dish.
Post-meal, I am feeling better than I have all day. I have a feeling getting too hungry is a no-no; it's just difficult to keep a regular, healthy eating schedule. For one, my stomach never feels normal. Plus, I am now kind of a picky eater...definitely not normal. The other day we had beans and franks for dinner. I don't remember the last time I had that meal--maybe at my elementary school cafeteria?
Two working days remain, and I'm just crossing my fingers I can keep everything in my stomach until then...and, well, beyond. I am really looking forward to being able to rest whenever I want, but my no-exercise streak remains unbroken--so I'm really going to have to get my butt in gear soon. It's difficult to do when I feel so tired and/or nauseous most of the time. But I hear the second trimester is a big improvement, so I'm looking forward to that.
This coming Friday, we have our first major doctor's appointment. I'm looking forward to hearing a heartbeat or seeing an ultrasound, even though I'm apprehensive about the visit.
In the meantime, I'm very thankful to be feeling mostly normal right now. Thank you, steak and potatoes! I'd much rather find natural remedies than resort to pills. ;)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Cravings (written May 26)
The third in a series of pregnancy-related posts.
Last post I wrote about the onset of nausea. Right now it's a mild annoyance--it seems like I never quite feel like myself, but I can't say I'm really sick...especially when I'm experiencing all sorts of strange cravings.
Red meat seems to be a biggie. (I normally prefer chicken and fish). I had a tough time concentrating during church last Sunday because all I could think about was a big, juicy burger. Well, luckily the grill on base was open and I got my wish. Hands down, the best meal of the week, closely followed by Tuesday night's steak, fried potatoes, and fresh salad. Mmm, mmm, MMM!
Eggs and cheese are also high on my radar, which explains this week's double dose of spinach & tomato omelets. Alan is an expert omelet chef--mine always turn into glorified scrambled eggs--which makes omelet night even better. Except maybe for the fact that I've been relegated to line cook status.
Basically, anything meaty, salty, or oily really piques my interest. I'm usually a big fan of dry carbs (plain bread or pasta with a light sauce) but lately these things have a weird aftertaste. Fortunately, I've been able to stick to my old breakfast standard, Wheat Chex and grapefruit juice.
The most conspicuous no-show on my cravings list? Chocolate. I'm sure that's a good thing. I really don't miss it at all; on the contrary, just thinking about it makes my stomach turn.
Lest you think I've gone off the fast food deep end, I really am trying to include as many fruits and veggies as I can. Right now I am munching on a three-bean salad. Let me tell you, chickpeas, green beans, and kidney beans have never tasted so good! They are downright addictive. But while I normally really like the tangy bits of red onion that accompany them, the lingering aftertaste has been too pungent for me.
I think fatigue has finally kicked in--this morning I woke up with a burning desire to...go to bed. It's going to be a tough workday, but as I've mentioned before, my job gets me moving and it helps pass the time. I've also gotten light-headed if I stand up too quickly. And, since day one, I've been cramp-y. I think cramps must be pregnancy's forgotten symptom. I certainly never expected them! According to my nurse, though, mild ones are quite common--I guess it's a reflection of all the growing and stretching in my belly. They seem to really enjoy my right side, which has been cause for concern, but otherwise I'm feeling good and hoping that it's just all part of the process.
In the meantime, can somebody please tell me how I can get my hands on some of these?
Last post I wrote about the onset of nausea. Right now it's a mild annoyance--it seems like I never quite feel like myself, but I can't say I'm really sick...especially when I'm experiencing all sorts of strange cravings.
Red meat seems to be a biggie. (I normally prefer chicken and fish). I had a tough time concentrating during church last Sunday because all I could think about was a big, juicy burger. Well, luckily the grill on base was open and I got my wish. Hands down, the best meal of the week, closely followed by Tuesday night's steak, fried potatoes, and fresh salad. Mmm, mmm, MMM!
Eggs and cheese are also high on my radar, which explains this week's double dose of spinach & tomato omelets. Alan is an expert omelet chef--mine always turn into glorified scrambled eggs--which makes omelet night even better. Except maybe for the fact that I've been relegated to line cook status.
Basically, anything meaty, salty, or oily really piques my interest. I'm usually a big fan of dry carbs (plain bread or pasta with a light sauce) but lately these things have a weird aftertaste. Fortunately, I've been able to stick to my old breakfast standard, Wheat Chex and grapefruit juice.
The most conspicuous no-show on my cravings list? Chocolate. I'm sure that's a good thing. I really don't miss it at all; on the contrary, just thinking about it makes my stomach turn.
Lest you think I've gone off the fast food deep end, I really am trying to include as many fruits and veggies as I can. Right now I am munching on a three-bean salad. Let me tell you, chickpeas, green beans, and kidney beans have never tasted so good! They are downright addictive. But while I normally really like the tangy bits of red onion that accompany them, the lingering aftertaste has been too pungent for me.
I think fatigue has finally kicked in--this morning I woke up with a burning desire to...go to bed. It's going to be a tough workday, but as I've mentioned before, my job gets me moving and it helps pass the time. I've also gotten light-headed if I stand up too quickly. And, since day one, I've been cramp-y. I think cramps must be pregnancy's forgotten symptom. I certainly never expected them! According to my nurse, though, mild ones are quite common--I guess it's a reflection of all the growing and stretching in my belly. They seem to really enjoy my right side, which has been cause for concern, but otherwise I'm feeling good and hoping that it's just all part of the process.
In the meantime, can somebody please tell me how I can get my hands on some of these?
Friday, September 2, 2011
6 weeks going on 7 (written May 23)
The second in a series of pregnancy-related posts.
A lot has changed since I wrote my first pregnancy post last week: I feel pregnant! Yes, the nausea has hit, but fortunately it's been relatively mild so far. I still get hungry (terribly so, at times) and food stays put in my stomach. But the "morning" in morning sickness is an absolute myth--my symptoms, while more annoying than harmful, tend to hang around all day. I just don't feel like myself. I'm sure it's all a good sign, but for the moment I'm still hard at work, which means I have to put on an "all-is-normal" face and cross my fingers that I won't have to ask students to use their facilities for anything more than a wee.
It's probably a good thing that I have enough stuff going on to distract me from my symptoms. It's also nice that lessons force me to get out and walk. When they wrap up in three weeks' time, I'll need to find the inner motivation to get some fresh air and stretch my legs. I was quite the couch-lover pre-pregnancy; now that I'm actually pregnant (and tired and hungry and bloated and feeling a bit sick), nothing looks better than the couch--except maybe my lounge pants.
Overall I've tried to take it easy on myself. I still haven't done any heavy exercise since finding out the good news, which means it's been a solid month since my last run. The consequences are making themselves known, too. I can no longer fit into at least one pair of jeans, and my heart rate absolutely skyrockets when I chase after an elusive bus. I'm sure I won't be able to handle too much more absolute laziness, but when I finally do coax myself into my running shorts, it'll be for a quick & easy jog.
I eat when I feel hungry, and I keep eating until I'm satiated. No restrictions here! I've had few cravings (surprisingly, the chocolate bars remain virtually intact in their cupboards) but last week I really wanted some eggs and yesterday it was a juicy burger and fries. I've started popping some lemon drops and Lifesavers to combat the nausea, but as I'm not usually big on candy, I feel guilty about the empty calories, and will probably look for something a little more natural (ginger maybe?).
Tiredness hits me at times--mainly when I have nothing going on and I can actually allow myself a nap--but it's still hard to distinguish it from the fatigue I feel from work.
Mum is still the word and I am bursting to tell our parents. Just three more weeks until our first major doctor's appointment, after which we plan to share the news. By that time I will be 9 weeks going on 10--by my calculations, at least. This business of counting weeks is a little confusing! Right now mid-January seems to be the most accurate due date we can come up with, but I'm looking forward to all the answers the first ultrasound will provide.
A lot has changed since I wrote my first pregnancy post last week: I feel pregnant! Yes, the nausea has hit, but fortunately it's been relatively mild so far. I still get hungry (terribly so, at times) and food stays put in my stomach. But the "morning" in morning sickness is an absolute myth--my symptoms, while more annoying than harmful, tend to hang around all day. I just don't feel like myself. I'm sure it's all a good sign, but for the moment I'm still hard at work, which means I have to put on an "all-is-normal" face and cross my fingers that I won't have to ask students to use their facilities for anything more than a wee.
It's probably a good thing that I have enough stuff going on to distract me from my symptoms. It's also nice that lessons force me to get out and walk. When they wrap up in three weeks' time, I'll need to find the inner motivation to get some fresh air and stretch my legs. I was quite the couch-lover pre-pregnancy; now that I'm actually pregnant (and tired and hungry and bloated and feeling a bit sick), nothing looks better than the couch--except maybe my lounge pants.
Overall I've tried to take it easy on myself. I still haven't done any heavy exercise since finding out the good news, which means it's been a solid month since my last run. The consequences are making themselves known, too. I can no longer fit into at least one pair of jeans, and my heart rate absolutely skyrockets when I chase after an elusive bus. I'm sure I won't be able to handle too much more absolute laziness, but when I finally do coax myself into my running shorts, it'll be for a quick & easy jog.
I eat when I feel hungry, and I keep eating until I'm satiated. No restrictions here! I've had few cravings (surprisingly, the chocolate bars remain virtually intact in their cupboards) but last week I really wanted some eggs and yesterday it was a juicy burger and fries. I've started popping some lemon drops and Lifesavers to combat the nausea, but as I'm not usually big on candy, I feel guilty about the empty calories, and will probably look for something a little more natural (ginger maybe?).
Tiredness hits me at times--mainly when I have nothing going on and I can actually allow myself a nap--but it's still hard to distinguish it from the fatigue I feel from work.
Mum is still the word and I am bursting to tell our parents. Just three more weeks until our first major doctor's appointment, after which we plan to share the news. By that time I will be 9 weeks going on 10--by my calculations, at least. This business of counting weeks is a little confusing! Right now mid-January seems to be the most accurate due date we can come up with, but I'm looking forward to all the answers the first ultrasound will provide.
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