We found out I was pregnant with our second baby a few weeks after an HSG test. Let me back up. A few months into TTC, I went to see my OB because for months I had been experiencing severe ovulation pain, to the point where I would keel over and it would take my breath away. I have always had ovulation pain, but it became so intense for several cycles that I was a little worried.
I suspected an ovarian cyst since I had had one as a teenager, so my OB sent me to get an ultrasound and HSG test, which is an X-ray test where they inject dye into your uterus to check that your fallopian tubes are clear (the u/s was to check for a cyst or any other kind of blockage that might be causing the pain).
My ultrasound and HSG test thankfully came back all clear, so we never really got an answer as to what was causing the pain. As I left that appointment, the tech said “you’ll probably get pregnant this cycle, a lot of our patients do right after this test since your tubes are so clear.”
I kind of laughed it off at the time, but little did I know she was right (or maybe we just got lucky). I took a test on Feb. 7th, a few days before my cycle was expected to begin. I had just woken up from an afternoon nap and I felt really funny— sort of dizzy and fuzzy and still really, really tired even though I had slept for nearly three hours. I decided to take a test while everyone else in the house was still napping and that pink line appeared pretty quickly. I was so excited and of course I ran downstairs to tell Kevin (what a way to wake up from a nap!) We are so thankful for this baby and to complete our family!
I thought I would summarize some of my pregnancy stats, cravings, etc, below for my first trimester with baby #2:
Symptoms: Nausea, bloating like crazy, occasional bad headaches, moodiness/hormonal/emotional, exhausted, worse skin this time.
Just like my last pregnancy, I was pretty sick with this babe. With Harper, I was nauseous from the afternoon until I went to sleep until about 13-14 weeks. With this baby, it was 24/7, unless I was sleeping. The nausea was totally debilitating. I don’t know if I was able to tolerate it better with Harper because I knew I could just come home and rest, or if the nausea was really more intense this time, but I soon caved and called my OB for some meds because I just couldn’t get through the day anymore.
She started me on Diclegis. It didn’t work for me at all and I felt no relief from the constant intense nausea. I remember wishing I could just throw up to get some relief, but I never could (and, let’s be real, throwing up sucks). Then, nine weeks into my pregnancy, I caught a bad stomach virus which ended up hospitalizing me for dehydration and because I couldn’t keep anything down. I had vomited so much and then continued to be nauseous due to the pregnancy, so they gave me some zofran at the hospital and I asked to continue it until I didn’t feel I needed it anymore.
Thankfully I only had to take zofran for just under three weeks when the nausea was at its worst. I took it twice a day and though I didn’t get 100 percent relief, I could get through the day. At 12 weeks, the nausea just went away completely, which I am so, so thankful for. I have to give a big hug to all of the mamas that had to deal with severe nausea and/or vomiting for the first trimester or even longer. You just don’t feel human some days it’s so bad. My own mom had HG with me and was hospitalized throughout her pregnancy, so I know that my own sickness was nothing compared to that, but boy was it ever tough, especially when you’re also caring for a toddler.
I think the biggest difference for me this time around is that I haven’t gotten an energy boost since first tri, and my skin and hair are different. My hair is flatter, duller and overall the texture is different than it used to be (it almost feels rougher or something at the roots). I’m also moodier which I wasn’t at all the last time around. My first pregnancy, I felt really glowing and beautiful and this time around I don’t feel attractive at all, but I know that’s probably just the hormones getting to me.
Total weight gain/loss: I lost a few pounds in my first trimester because of the stomach flu, but then I gained it back so first tri was a wash. But since I’m writing this post at 17 weeks, I’ve gained about 3 lbs or so on top of gaining the initial weight back.
Old wive’s tales/gender prediction: I felt I was having a boy, I dreamed he was a boy three times, the Chinese gender calendar was right for both Harper and this baby and the Ramzi theory was right for Harper and baby boy! (by the way, I know the Ramzi theory isn’t published in any medical journals, so take it with a grain of salt, but it has been right for most women I know/have seen discussed in online forums- the ultrasound image must be taken between 6-8 weeks for accuracy of the theory and it is based on the location of the placenta/chorionic villi, not the baby).
Speaking of boys…I will admit that when I was like four weeks pregnant, I was so sure this baby was a boy that I ordered some boy clothes online…and then we bought a few more pieces the day we actually confirmed it’s a baby boy! Right now I’m just sticking to essentials like sleepers and one-pieces but I can’t wait to shop for some outfits too. I’ve seen really cute stuff at Baby Gap, Zara and H&M for baby boys.
Cravings: I have been eating the same as usual this pregnancy. The one major difference is I haven’t had the same aversions this time like I had with Harper (lettuce and plain baked chicken). I have pretty much been able to eat any foods, which is great because I love having big salads for lunch with lots of veggies and protein, so having an aversion to that with Harper wasn’t ideal. I still crave sweets, but I did both before pregnancy and while pregnant with Harper. I always feel most comfortable when I eat ever 2-3 hours and pregnancy is no different for me.
Maternity clothes: I’ll admit I totally went and bought some new black skinny maternity pants from Gap almost as soon as I found out. I have worn them a couple of times on days I feel super bloated, but I’m mostly still wearing my trusty Banana Republic Sloan pants until I can no longer. I wore regular clothes and looser tops/or sized up my whole pregnancy with Harper and plan to do the same this time around if I carry like I did with her, which so far looks to be the case.
Sleep: Ugh. Sleep. Early in my pregnancy I experienced some insomnia even though I was SO tried. Then I got my snoogle back into the bed and it’s been better ever since. I try to sleep on my left side primarily since that is what my OB recommends, and this helps a ton since I’m typically a stomach sleeper. If you’re pregnant, you need a snoogle, like whoa.
Best part of first trimester: Telling family and friends and Harper of course! Reading Harper books about becoming a big sister has been special too. Our first trimester screening tests all came back with fantastic results as well so we are very thankful for that.
Worst part of first trimester: The incessant nausea.
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach. Not feeling super tired all the time.
Movement: I didn’t feel movement in first trimester, but I do now (started at around 15 weeks and definitely by 16).
Have you started to show yet: In first trimester, I looked pretty bloated and then it took awhile for me to show a little more. Now, at 17 weeks, I definitely have a little bump and it gets bigger as the day goes on. I wasn’t as good at documenting the progress this time around, but below I have a few photos from frist tri and now.
So that’s a summary of my first trimester! I’m so happy to be feeling good now (though still really tired). Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and thanks for reading!
Oh gosh. The nausea was absolutely terrible for me too this time around. I was put on diclegis too and the first few days it seemed to take the edge off a little, then it stopped helping. Some days I would just cry because I couldn't stand it anymore and the thought of throwing up again was so depressing. I only took the diclegis for 2 weeks and then just rodee it out. The nausea went away at 15 weeks. Glad it got better for you too.
I'm sorry you have been dealing with it too—it can just be so dehbilitating 🙁 Thank goodness you're feeling better now…4 kiddos..I have no idea how you do it girl!
So excited for you! Glad to hear that your nausea has subsided… I've been feeling a lot more nauseated this time around and my aversions (to pretty much all food) have been outrageous. I'm hoping for relief soon!!! Love your little bump and how exciting that you're going to have one of each! XO
Thank you! I am so excited for you too and hope you start to feel some relief soon. Can't wait to find out B/G. Most women I know due in the fall are all having boys, it's crazy! I have a feeling girl for you though!
Ugh.. so sorry to hear about the naseau! I had to take Zofran with Kaitlyn with nausea round the clock. This time I feel like it was less, but terrible from afternoon and even during sleep. I still take Diclegis a couple times a week, but they wouldn't give me Zofran and I didn't think I needed it so just chugging through. Heck yeah to the Snoogle! I'm with you on buying boy clothes before gender was even confirmed. I just had a feeling and those Gap sleepers are so hard to resist! 😉 Looking amazing!
xx Viv at JoieDeViv
So excited we will get to swap ideas on adorable boy clothes 🙂 can't wait to hear more about how you plan to help your little one adjust to the new baby too! when are you due again?
I'm due in the beginning of October with my first (a boy!) and have bought many of the same sleepers and one pieces you shared in this post, haha! Pickings are slim for boy clothes! Glad you're feeling better!
Yay! Another October boy mama 🙂 I swear everyone is having boys right now. I have found such cute stuf at baby gap, H&M and zara for little boys 🙂
Same here! I've also had good luck at Nordstrom Rack.
So excited for you, friend. You look amazing! I'm so glad to hear that the nausea is subsiding. Thankfully I had a mild case with Harper and only had to resort to Zofran a time or two. However, it made me constipated and I wasn't sure which was worse, feeling like I was going to throw up every time I moved or having cramps from not being able to use the bathroom. Oh the joys of pregnancy. But the end result is always worth it (:
ugh yes…that side effect was NOT easy to deal with. and yes, the result is always worth it 🙂
I could of written this myself! We found out we were expecting number 2 on February 7th, the day after my daughter's first birthday. I am so thankful to be over the first trimester and feeling like a human being again. We go for our anatomy scan on June 2, praying for a happy healthy baby, boy or girl. Congrats and best wishes. I will be following along for updates on your pregnancy and let you know if I run across anything worth sharing myself.
Congrats Jennifer! 🙂 let me know when you find out the sex!
Hope you do weekly updates! Love the boy clothes you picked!
I am such a stomach sleeper. It's going to be a serious problem for me when I get pregnant! Glad to hear you're feeling better these days 🙂
Congrats! My advise on boy clothes: H&M. I have a chubby 22 month old. He only fits on H&M bottoms. They are comfortable and VERY affordable. They're good quality and wash really good. My favorite are the CONSCIOUS line. Their organic onesies and jeans are my favorite. I think you'll like them too.
Congrats on your pregnancy! I have two boys (just had my second a few months ago) and I love H&M, J Crew, Carters, Gap, & Old Navy for cute boy clothes! Glad you are feeling better ~ that first trimester nausea can be rough!
Congrats on baby #2! I, too, experience pretty debilitating mid cycle/ovulation pain. I'm really interested to hear more about the HSG test. My doctor suspects endometriosis – but there's no true diagnosis for that without laproscopic surgery. My husband and I started TTC last fall and were able to get pregnant after a few months, but heartbreakingly we miscarried in the first trimester earlier this year. We're now trying again and I'm hoping to get to the bottom of this pain so we can conceive successfully. Did your doctor ever give you any other ideas of what the pain might be? Was the HSG test pretty easy? I'd love to get your thoughts. Thanks 🙂 – Victoria
First of all- I am very sorry for your loss. I wish you luck on conceiving. My OB thought maybe there was a cyst or some kind of blockage that could be causing the pain—or maybe it was just that I had worst postpartum periods (I hadn't had one in almost two years since I was pregnant and then didn't have a cycle the entire year I nursed). We never got to the bottom of it but the U/S was clear and my tubes didn't have any issues. The HSG didn't hurt—I felt slight discomfort and light cramping when they injected the dye, but other than that it was pain-free and I did not have pain afterwards either, which surprised me. I read up on endometriosis, but I didn't have all of the symptoms, just when I ovulated. I really hope you get your wish soon.
-V
Thank you! All really good info. I never really thought that "blockages" could be a source of the pain, but it makes a lot of sense. I think I'm going to be patient with my body for another few months (as I know it's been through a lot) and if we don't make any progress I'll definitely be asking my OB for the HSG. Even if it all it does is provide just a little piece of mind I think it will be worth it. Thanks for sharing your story. It's amazing how just sharing a small tidbit can really make a difference to someone else that might be experiencing the same thing. I appreciate your response 🙂
So happy for you and your growing family! Glad you are starting to feel better! I had a similar issue with pain before I had the boys and also ended up pregnant the cycle after an HSG! Congrats on your son! xo
Congrats V!! So happy for you. You look amazing as always!!
Just curious–did you just know your ovulation time or did you use BBT/OPK? Always wondered if it'd be faster to conceive with the OPK. Also, what first trimester screening did you do? I know the prenatal chromosomal tests are pretty popular now. (not sure if you're open to discussing but was wondering your opinion on those).
I knew it because my cycles were pretty reliable, but I still used OPKs just as a backup. I don't know that it's faster to concieve if you use OPK's, it may just mean you are more than likely trying on the right days in your cycle versus just "not preventing and seeing what happens." I did the blood test and ultrasound combo for the first tri screening (not the Maternit21 or other more intense tests). I didn't qualify to have insurance cover that since I'm not AMA. So the test I did give you the odds of having a baby with one of the trisomies versus a definitve answer. They combine your blood test results, age and u/s results (the nucheal translucency measurement on the back of the baby's neck) to give you your odds and mine were 1/10,000.
Thanks for always being so open and honest and sharing your experiences and opinions. So glad to hear that your testing came back good!
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your first tri experience with us! I swear the nausea and yucky hair/skin is a boy thing. I was sick with my daughter, but with my son I had borderline HG, dehydration, etc. And with my daughter my hair and skin was so glowy and beautiful but with my son I was all broken out and just generally felt unattractive. But of course it is worth it in the end and you do kind of forget how bad it was after awhile! 🙂
You guys have the cutest stuff for baby boys in America!! (I'm from Australia!) When ihad my son, 5 yrs ago the range was dismal and gross ha ha I had HG throughout my whole pregnancy, for the first 4-5months i would vomit everyday and towards the end i would only vomit when i woke and that was it. I had to ration my zofran (had been on maxalon for a wk, didn't touch the sides and the restless legs that came with it oh.em.gee terrible) as in australia it was $80 for a box of ten tablets 😐 now its cheaper but theres still no way id have another ha ha ha. I Hope you get your groove back and start feeling good! And please do updates and show us all the cute baby gear you've gotten 😀
Congratulations! That is so exciting! I am 26 weeks pregnant with a sweet girl and I too have experienced flat and dull hair. My hair even feels like its thinning! I was hoping for lots of volume and thickness! Maybe next time! Cant wait to follow your pregnancy journey!
Brittany
http://www.beckyandbrittany.com
Lots of things:
That little happy outfit is cute!
My non pregnant belly is jealous of your halfway to having a baby tummy. You look great!
Totally wanting a baby now. 🙂