First trimester woes!

[Babydust1234]

Hi

I had a scan yesterday, thinking I'd be around 9 weeks but turned out to only be 6! Obviously I'm thrilled to have seen that all is well and to have seen the heartbeat, but it's a bit of a bummer finding out I've still got so much of the first trimester left. I thought I was through the worst of it! Anyone got any tips for helping the time to pass during the first trimester? I'm mainly struggling with fatigue, dizziness, food aversions and anxiety/panic attacks, which I've never had before and are a real treat . I'm emetophobic so I'm also really freaking out about the possibility of getting morning sickness (no signs yet touch wood).

First trimester is hard! I have great family support, but I still feel so alone as none of them are going through it!

First of all congratulations!! You must be so excited to be a mum.
First trimester is kinda sucky. In regards to the fatigue - listen to your body! If you feel exhausted- sleep. I literally used to come home from work, have dinner and then go to bed. On my days off I’d nap when I could. Admittedly I still felt tired, but at least I knew I was getting the rest my body clearly needed. Remember you’re growing a little human inside your body so of course you’re going to be tired. In regards to the dizziness - have you been tested for anaemia?? Higher risk of it in pregnancy which will exacerbate your fatigue and could be causing the dizziness. Make sure you’re taking things at a slower pace at home and work and drink plenty of water. Hydration is so important!
I was lucky enough to not have any food aversions/cravings during my pregnancy. All I can suggest is avoid having the foods that make you ill in the house and that your partner doesn’t indulge in them either.
In regards to morning sickness- there are varying degrees of morning sickness (or you may not suffer at all)
I felt constantly sick but only vomited twice. If you do suffer with morning sickness you still need to eat. Little and often is best rather than large meals. Stick to boring food - I took to eating dry crackers as they’re too bland to offend any taste buds. Let the midwife know about your emetophobia as well as your panic attacks as she might be able to help better than I possibly can. I find that if I can feel a panic attack coming on - that I need to be outside in the fresh air. If I’m indoors I feel caged in. I try and walk it off - and hope the endorphins will override the anxiety/panic.
Being pregnant is not easy but rest assured you’ll soon be into the second trimester which is more pleasant (before the unpleasant third trimester). Whenever you’re feeling low/anxious just try and visualise your little one growing - every day that goes by you’re a step closer to meeting him/her. Make sure you let your support network & midwife know when you’re struggling so they can help.