Pregnancy Symptoms Your Friends Don't Talk About

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During the past 16 weeks of my pregnancy, I feel like I've had just about every symptom and side effect listed on the pregnancy sites.  Fatigue, dizziness, sore breasts, fluctuating emotions, and of course nausea.   I've been nauseous almost every day of the past 4 months.  I haven't actually gotten sick (aka vomited), but at times I think I might actually feel better if I did.  

I was eager to hit week 14, the week I heard my nausea would probably go away.  Two weeks later and I still feel icky.  Unfortunately I have yet to feel that "Second Trimester Glow" that I was so looking forward to.  

Maybe the old wives tale about baby girls and morning sickness are true?

Along with the symptoms above, I've had a bunch of others that kinda surprised me.  I think these are the things your girlfriends probably don't talk about, and maybe for good reason.

1.  Gas.  Lots and lots of gas.  Caused by higher levels of progesterone, which slows down the digestive process.   I used to scold my husband whenever he burped after dinner, but now I'm the one belching up a storm.  Not really the best way to keep the romance alive!

2.  Excessive mouth watering.  Along with the constant nausea I had (and still have), my mouth was constantly watering.  Which just made me more nauseous.  It's like an evil circle.

3.  Constipation.  No explanation needed.  Again caused by the slowed digestive process.  Also most likely made worse by the iron included in most prenatal vitamins.

4.  Heartburn.  I know this gets more common as the baby gets bigger and squishes your tummy and everything else.  But I've had it pretty bad from day 1.  There are the obvious culprits (acidic foods, carbonated drinks, chocolate).  But I get it from everything.  Even water.  Lucky me.

5.  Crazy vivid dreams.  Monsters chasing me.  Talking babies with adult sized heads.  By far the weirdest dreams I've ever had, on an almost nightly basis.

Some of these have gotten better or disappeared over the past several weeks (mouth watering) but the heartburn is still pretty constant.  I've learned to eat really small meals throughout the day, which is not easy.  I have to stop myself early, before I feel full, or else I know I'll feel sick later.  I can't wait for the day that I can just eat a meal without worrying about if it'll make me sick later!

It's not all sickness and worry, though.  Other parts of the pregnancy have been easy so far.  I've only gained a pound or two, although I can't button up most of my pants anymore.  (Thank goodness for belly bands and my sister's old clothes from before she lost some weight.)  I haven't had much back pain or anything.  And, for the most part, I'm not too fatigued.  Which probably means I should get off my butt more often and exercise!  I am taking a Pilates class tonight, so that's a good start, right?!