Unexpected symptoms

[Pegs11]

Hello all. I’m 6.5 weeks pregnant with my first child (IVF) and the morning sickness has kicked in, but it is nothing like I expected it to be and I wonder if my symptoms are normal / if anyone else has experienced this.

So... I have the classic nausea and loss of appetite, nothing weird there, but the absolute worst thing is the vertigo! I constantly feel like I’ve just stepped off the waltzer at the fairground.

Plus my ears are ringing and feel a bit blocked, and I have a mild but constant headache behind my eyes.

The overall body feeling is very similar to a virus, like when you have the flu or an ear infection or something. I can barely function and the feeling never goes away.

Just wondered how closely the above this fits with your experience of ‘morning sickness’... and also does the vertigo last for many weeks? I’m struggling to see how I’m going to get anything done, if so!

Thank you very much in advance for your comments :)

I think headaches are very common and as for the vertigo, definitely. The vast majority of women experience a drop in blood pressure during the first and second trimester. If you're worried, speak to your midwife but there is nothing they can do other than advise you to take it easy and mine suggested increasing my salt intake as it is supposed to combat low blood pressure!

It can be quite debilitating, I'm 14 weeks with my second and still struggling with the vertigo, passed out a couple of times! It's all part of the not so fun stage of pregnancy haha!

Good luck! In my experience the first trimester has been my hardest so fingers crossed it gets better for you!

Short answer: sounds pretty normal and it’s ok if you don’t get anything done!

Vertigo, headaches and feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck were normal for me at the start. I felt like I had a cement block on my back and could only shuffle from one room to another. I spent a good few weeks just lying on the sofa trying to eat. It took me ages to get used to eating when I felt sick as it made me feel better!

It started getting better at about 13 weeks and by 16 I was on to the next round of weird symptoms! I noticed a new symptom every week or so, just as you get used to one, it disappears and you get something else! (Horrendously painful trapped wind was next for me but GP prescribed peppermint oil capsules that worked a treat!)

I’m 35+5 now and nothing has been as bad as those first weeks. I felt useless and wondered what on Earth I’d got myself into! If I’ve learnt anything through this pregnancy it’s not to be a martyr. You and baby are your priority now, not work or getting the house straight etc (takes a while to get your head around that day to day).

I hope you feel better really soon.

Thank you both so much for your replies, that’s very reassuring to hear. Flamingo, I know what you mean about the ‘what have I got myself into’ feeling! But I’m sure that if I end up with a happy healthy baby, I won’t have any regrets.

...Definitely never doing this again though!

Good luck to both of you and thanks again

Don’t forget to go to the GP if you are struggling while you’re waiting for your booking in appointment. Any worries about your/baby’s health, be sure to let them know. That’s what they’re there for and don’t feel like you’re wasting anyone’s time.

Yep there were definitely a few weeks where I questioned my sanity!

If it makes you feel better, now I’m further along I really think I’m going to miss being pregnant! Second trimester was fab and other than some aches, pains and wind (!) the third trimester is going well.

I always said I wouldn’t have more than one but I can see myself getting broody again. Although I haven’t had to do the birth part yet! Might change my mind again!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and all of the years after!