First Trimester Blues and Discontentment

[TobiGus]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar. I'm 7+5 weeks pregnant and have had quite bad nausea and sickness for the last three weeks (still ongoing!) which contributes to me feeling down in general however what I'm also experiencing is complete discontentment and hopelessness with everything. Everything in my house bothers me the carpets need replacing my clothes need changing the walls need painting and I feel a general sense of hopelessness with everything like what if I will still feel this way when the baby comes. Things like the carpets do need replacing because some of them are old and due a change but I'm more anxious in general about my environment and lacking interest in things I usually enjoy. My sense of smell is heightened which probably contributes to how I feel about the house but I almost feel like nothing will ever change and I'm powerless to change it. I understand this is probably my hormones speaking but I just feel under a heavy fog at the moment. Cannot feel excited about the pregnancy yet just anxious. Has anyone else experienced similar at this stage?

I felt awful in my first trimester and it was a much much wanted pregnancy! Sick and anxious and had lost my lust for life completely.
I don't think you can underestimate how much feeling rough affects your mental health. Once you get past 12 weeks and it all feels a bit more real and the sickness starts to go (mine was at about 16 weeks ) you will feel better!

OP I feel exactly the same. I could have written that. I'm a few weeks further on but for weeks now I have been feeling unwell, exhausted and really, really down. Like you, I feel hopeless and stressed about things I think need done at home at it's overwhelming. I have no energy and don't enjoy anything. I think lots of people feel this way and it's reassuring we both are in the same situation as it suggests it's just hormones and will pass soon. I felt down in the first trimester of my first pregnancy but this is much, much worse. I hope you feel better soon

@Rosejulia88 thanks for sharing I can't tell you how much it helps to hear I'm not alone with this. This was a wanted pregnancy too and the way I'm feeling at times makes me think why have I done this...it's awful to feel that way. It's good to hear there's light at the end of the tunnel and you're right being ill does alter your mental state. It's almost like having flu for weeks on end.

@Saltedsilver thanks for sharing it means so much to hear I'm not alone with this and it helps me a great deal. Our thoughts sound very similar. I thought the stress over the house was really odd and it seemed to be something that just flicked on like a switch one day but I'm so glad to hear you feel the same way and it does suggest it's the hormones. If it wasn't for that we would probably not feel so overwhelmed. It's hard when people seem excited around you but all you've got is doom and gloom and misery in your head. Hoping you feel better soon too

I think that's pretty normal, don't worry. All those wee things that you think about occasionally (like the carpets) but which don't usually bother you much... they suddenly seem much worse when you're feeling rough. I've felt similar about the pile of tasks we have to do before the baby comes. When I'm feeling logical I'm sure it's manageable but at the same time it feels insurmountable.

The thing I've found helps me most is getting out for a walk every day. Just a change of scenery from being stuck in the house and thinking about things. I'm wfh just now. I don't walk far because I'm pretty tired atm but I find it helps my mental health a lot. Maybe you're already doing this? Or maybe add in something else to the day which helps your mh? Depends what you're feeling up to, but gentle yoga/something creative like sketching or knitting?

It's probably because you feel too awful to have the energy to change things. Once you get a bit into your second trimester you should feel more positive! I felt do down this time even though it's my second. I think it was worse because of all the time at home due to covid to think about how awful I felt and look at the same four walls.

@FeistySheep thanks you're right these things in my normal frame of mind are manageable. I'm also wfh at the moment although I was off this week because felt too ill. I think that contributes to my state of mind although I understand I'm lucky to be at home it's feeling very oppressive mentally just sat in these 4 walls all day every day. I have tried to go for walks but sometimes I find it makes me feel worse because I'm exhausted and come back feeling queasier. I might try an earlier walk when it's cooler and less people about.

@AegonT thanks you're right I think after a year of home working it doesn't help with the same old four walls to stare at and my mind goes into overdrive. Thanks I'm looking forward to that light at the end of the tunnel once this passes and hopefully the second trimester will be far kinder!