What I Learned During The First Trimester
I am not a expert by any means considering these are my first babies, but I learned some things during the first 14 weeks and thought I would share.
1. Worrying does not solve anything! The second I found out I was pregnant (right at 4 weeks) panic and terror took over. I was petrified of a miscarriage and it was all I could concentrate on for the first 3 weeks of pregnancy. I was reading everything I could about them, reading stories from other moms on chat rooms and remembering all my friends that had them throughout the years. It was so bad that I started dreaming about it happening. I was driving my husband crazy with worry. I finally realized that I needed to start thinking about the positive instead of the negative and every time I started getting scared after that I would focus on the "glass half full" approach. I was feeling great, I hadn't had a reason to even be worried (no spotting or bleeding) and I going to be a mommy!
2. Having friends that are pregnant the same time as you is awesome! Two of my very best friends have been right there, literally living this pregnancy right along with me. One is 8 weeks ahead of me and the other is 17 weeks ahead of me. I can not tell you how many times I have text them up until this point about questions I have had both weird, crazy, big and small stuff. I am so thankful they are ahead of me and can guide me through all the milestones and what to expect. It's also a added bonus that we can all hang out and do pregnant things together like eat (duh), shop for all things baby related, movie dates and exercise together.
3. Sleep is your best friend! I have napped almost EVERY,SINGLE DAY since I have found out I was pregnant. I get so tired all the time, even after the smallest things (like eating a meal). I cannot even go near my bed without getting in it and closing my eyes and next thing you know, two hours have passed. I am getting on average 8-9 hours of sleep each night plus an extra 1-2 hours a day napping. My husband said it is good I am resting up now because after these babies are born, we will both be walking zombies.
4. If you find out you are having twins, prepare for a RANGE of emotions! I still remember everything that happened in the ultrasound room the day we found out we were having twins (7 weeks). My husband turned into a statue...wouldn't talk, wouldn't move his head, just stared straight ahead at the ultrasound screen. I, on the other hand, was in complete disbelief. I bet I asked my doctor if he was joking six different time while we were there. I was convinced we were on that show Pranked, and they were gonna announce after the shock of our lives, that they were only kidding. It took a good week for both of us to absorb the news...we were terrified (how do we take care of two babies), we were scared financially (we are gonna need double of everything, how can we even afford this), I started getting nervous about things that could go wrong again (a whole new list of worries- vanishing twin syndrome, the risk of bleeding in your first trimester is higher with twins, etc.), and finally excitement and acceptance (we can do this, we love both babies so much already, I cannot believe we were blessed with two miracles instead of one).
5. Take it day by day or week by week! You are not supposed to have it all figured out in the beginning, especially first time moms. I was reading every baby book I could get my hands on and browsing the Internet for at least an hour a day. The majority of the stuff I read just started scaring me so I cut back. I have been in the minority about a lot of things and VERY lucky. I have not had any morning sickness, no food aversions or even cravings, no headaches (although I have started getting these now)...basically besides making myself worry, I have had a pretty easy first trimester. It has gotten easier every week since I have been pregnant and I finally quit acting like a crazy first time parent (seriously, my doctor was on speed dial there for awhile). Seeing those babies heartbeats and little lives inside of me was the coolest thing that I have ever experienced. I am so excited to meet my babies!
