Let me preface this by saying, being pregnant is the biggest blessing that I could ever have imagined to experience. That being said, there are some things that I’ve encountered that are less than joyous. So here’s to being honest about what the first trimester was like 
[Some graphic TMI items below – you’ve now been warned!]
The Good
- We’re having a baby! Nothing gets better than that!
- Seeing the heartbeat
- Hearing the heartbeat
- Seeing the little nugget wiggle and move on the ultrasounds
- Feeling closer than ever to my hubby
- I have a great excuse not to eat sushi and lunchmeat (because I’m not a fan of either)
- Motivation to eat ridiculous amounts of protein (70+ grams per day). It’s super hard, but I like having to focus on this element of my diet that often gets overlooked.
- No morning sickness for this girl!
- Ridiculous amounts of sleep. Sleep is my happy time so I’ll gladly take more.
- Sharing the news…especially sharing stories with pregnant friends!
- Fantasizing about the nursery
The Bad
- Spotting. Talk about anxiety / fear / worry. I happened to spot about a total of 10 times in my first trimester and while none of it was particularly heavy (or accompanied by cramps), it was scary thinking I was possibly miscarrying.
- Tender ta-ta’s. Who knew that they’d hurt so bad? Sheesh!
- Being cold. All.The.Time. I run hot by nature, so being cold is foreign to me and I don’t like it. It drops to low 60’s in the evening in NorCal and I’m about ready to bust out my snowsuit.
- No more Bikram. It’s undecided if Bikram is good or bad for prego women, but my doctor recommended I not go. Sigh.
- Knowing all the rules! What can I eat? Can’t I eat? What meds are okay / not okay? Can I sit in a hot tub or not? Yay or nay to massages? So many rules!
- Feeling alone in this process. All family members are thousands of miles away and I can’t help but wonder how this experience would be different (better) with them closer.
- Picking a name that isn’t already one of top ten most popular names (dangit, Twilight, I liked Isabella!)
- Severe cramps when working out sometimes: I went for a run and stopped to take a breath and was doubled over in pain. The cause? My uterine ligaments stretching to accommodate my shifting uterus. Awesome.
The Ugly
- Getting blood drawn. This is worse than bad because I get the look of death when this happens. I’ve been pricked 4 times in 8 weeks – that’s more than 10 years worth of blood draws for me!
- Acne. Ugh. My skin looks like a 14 year old. Yick. I can’t seem to stay ahead of the lovely friends that keep popping up on my face.
- Miscarriage statistics. It’s scary to read that ~30% of women miscarry, and that number could be higher due to the number of unreported incidents of women who don’t know they are pregnant, but miscarry.
- The lack of vino makes the world an ugly, ugly place
- My super duper cranky pants that I wore 90% of the time over the last several weeks. Dang hormones.
- Bloat…there is nothing sexy about bloating up.
And now I’m safely in the 2nd trimester – here’s a shot of me at 15 weeks (my face is getting fuller and confession: I am wearing my pants unbuttoned and keeping them up with a belt…here comes the bump!)
If you’re pregnant or have been pregnant, any “Good, Bad, Ugly” you want to share?
The one thing I worry about is the whole peeing yourself thing. I know its a common thing during and after pregnancy, and I just know I’m going to be peeing all over myself when I have a baby.
Oh that sounds scary..I haven’t peed myself…yet..haha
Great honest post. Does your family plan to visit? Remember – at least you have your hubby and friends. You look fabulous!
And I wouldn’t write off Isabella! “Twilight” will fade out in the future – but your little one won’t
Twilight will fade but my little one won’t…I like that
Not to mention that everyone thinks of “Bella” from Twilight, not Isabella so you’d probably safe anyway!
Girl, I love that you are so open and honest about all of this. There are so many things that I have questioned about the whole pregnancy process and honest posts like this one really help put me at ease. Not because I am looking forward to the “ugly”, but more just that I’ll know what to expect. So thanks!
Girl, you’re glowing! You look lovely
Haha I’m sorry that Twilight stole Isabella, haha I can’t imagine trying to pick a baby name! good luck!
It’s tough, I tell ya
Thanks for sharing Shanna! I love hearing about other women’s experiences, especially since we are trying! Shish. don’t tell!
That’s an AWESOME secret =)
I love this! Thank you for being so open and honest. I am still (hopefully) far from being pregnant, but I feel like there are so many “secrets” you don’t know until you are there, so it’s nice to hear other people’s experiences to know what to prepare for! Is that bronzer or is that the natural glow of a prego woman?
so exciting!!
Oh I know! so many secrets. I want to be as honest as possible so that people can understand what it’s like and the ups and downs.
I think Ih ave some leftover tan from Tahoe, but we can call it a glow
Yay Shanna!!!….This was great to read. We are far away, too, but I know Kurt & I are totally rooting for you, Zach, and baby Owens! When is the due date?
I’m guessing this is Jess?
We are due Dec 27th — seems so far away, but will come up faster than we know…meep!
As long as you don’t get her “Team Jacob/Edward” shirts you should be ok with naming her Isabella
I think it is a pretty name!
I haven’t been pregnant so I have nothing to really share — only that I’m so happy for you!
Haha…too funny Holly — hmm, I think I might put her in a Team Edward onesie!
Again, Congrats Shanna! Being pregnant def comes with its ups and downs, but it is all worth it in the long run. A few of the bad things that I went through (very similar to you)….
- Not being close to my family while being pregnant. I thought about how it would be different/better too (I still think of this after having Ethan).
- All the RULES, RULES, RULES!!! And some doctors saying things are not ok and others saying they could “possibly” be ok. So frustrating!
- I had really BAD low back pain during the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
- My face broke out a little too but I don’t remember which trimester it was.
- I had minimal “morning sickness” and a few foods that I just couldn’t eat anymore. I went through a phase where I craved Taco Bell tacos. =(
- Luckily no spotting but still had the fear of miscarrying.
- I noticed stretching ligaments while I was running or if I got up/moved too quickly.
- I had the hormone ups/downs and unfortunately I still experienced them a couple months after delivery.
I did the same thing with my pants! Much better than buying a lot of new maternity clothes
Everything that you are going through is normal! I can’t wait to hear more (wait until you can feel him/her move, it is one of the best/strangest feelings) and find out what you are having…I’m guessing boy! (Are you going to tell people?)
It’s so nice to hear that everything I’m feeling is really truly normal. And I hear on the “Rules”…drives me nuts. There are all these do’s / don’ts and it’s hard to keep up with especially when they are conflicting. I’m taking an approach of just being healthy overall.
You think it’s a boy eh? Me too. I have no foundation for thinking this other than I want to dress up a little girl, so for that reason it will probably be a boy..ha! And yes, we’ll share!
Aww you’re getting me excited to experience these things some day. I am *terrible* at having blood taken, but the last two times I was able to NOT pass out… so maybe I’m improving?
I am terrible too, but now that I’ve had it done so much, it does actually get easier..shocking I know.
Thanks for this! My hubby and I aren’t there just yet, but I’m going to appreciate all the knowledge I can get until were’re ready. I need the honesty! haha
Sorry about the wine… that’s pretty ugly
Damn ugly Tiff!
Aww sorry about the bad and the ugly but I bet the good overlooks everything else
It must be exciting to have a little bundle of joy growing inside you
SO exciting
Thanks for sharing.. its always nice to get the gory details from a friend rather than a book – feels a lil’ less scary this way, I think.
Totally agree Priya
Is it weird that I already have a baby name picked out and I don’t even have a boyfriend?? Haha, I’m a planner, what can I say? You look great and I like the honest post! (and it really wasn’t TMI- I’ve read worse!)
Not weird at all to have a name! I’ve been thinking about names for YEARS!
As far as acne goes, I suggest a cream cleanser and more hydrating moisturizer. Your baby is taking all the nutrients causing your skin to be drier in turn producing more oil causing breakouts. I’m in school for esthetics and we did all the topics about pregnant ladies recently. Also massages are only bad in the first trimester because some movements can induce labor, but 2nd and 3rd you’re all good!
Thanks for the info Heather!
Obviously not preggo nor any kids here, but my sister in law in pregnant atm and I have the fear of what she can/cant/shoudlnt eat everytime I go home and want to cook!
I know..just had to have this convo with people cooking for me this Sunday
The bad and the ugly can be look past when you realize you are having a BABY…and a healthy one
I totally agree Alyssa!
I LOVE this post. PLEASE keep doing these!! I can’t wait to experience being pregnant myself, so I am living vicariously through you
I hear cookies are good for babies 
& I LOVED the recipe that you posted on my blog earlier…if I make cookies, I will definitely need to send some your way!
I wouldn’t say no to them Holly
Like a lot of people have said above, I’m glad you talked about this stuff. Why does it feel like everything is so ‘hush hush’ when it comes to being pregnant and giving birth. It’s nice to know the ugly’s so you can prepare for them – so thank you for that!
Ok, I have not had a needle in 10 years so naturally my fear for them has built up quite extensively. But, just last week the doctor’s office called saying it’s been 10 years (which is why I know how long it’s been since the last needle haha) since I had my tetanus shot, so to just ‘stop by’ sometime and get it…I told the hubby I was never going back to the doctor’s again hahah
I love reading about your experience because babies are on my brain more…that maternal instinct just kicks in on its own!
It does creep up and it hits you hard!
I don’t think I’ll ever like the Dr…it always gets me panic-y and stressed out :-/
You look beautiful!
The 1st pregnancy is always scary, just remember your dr is there for a reason. Ask questions & remember no question is a dumb question when its about the new life growing. Just so you know, you really do forget the bad stuff & pain about pregnancy & labor once your holding your baby in your hands!!
Far from pregnant but I do like reading about pregnancy stories. Seems like you’re very lucky to not have morning sickness! I wish you all the best!
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What a wonderful post, and you look fabulous and glowing! I know every body is different, but it’s nice to know these things and what to expect for when it’s my turn
I noticed you mentioned NorCal which is where I live too! I’m in San Mateo, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco!
Thanks for sharing all these honest info, very interesting to me and vey informational.
Glad you are in your safe 2nd trimester, I see you glowing in your pictures.
Congratulations Shanna! I’m so happy for you both.
I’m almost in my third tri and the bad parts of the first tri are becoming a distant memory. I had some spotting too (so scary) and RLP. I definitely miss bikram and red wine- I was so sad when the doctor told me no bikram! It’s worth it though
Awe, Congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m wishing you health and happiness:)
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