The Rollercoaster of Expecting: A Journey Through the First Trimester

Buckle up, dear readers, for a ride filled with twists, turns, and a multitude of emotions – we're diving into the rollercoaster of discovering that we're expecting! Join us on this wild adventure through the first trimester as we unveil the surprises, share insights, and navigate the whirlwind of early pregnancy changes.

Discovering Pregnancy: The Shock and Excitement

Let me take you on a rollercoaster of a discovery that started with a rather unpleasant stomach infection and ended with a life-changing surprise. 

Picture this: I was miserably sick for a week, battling a stomach infection, and Sami and I were in the throes of trying to get pregnant. Sami and I had been trying to get pregnant for six months, and my doctors had told me last year, that getting pregnant would be a Herculean task thanks to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). They had, to put it mildly, left me feeling more bewildered than supported.

So, there we were at the doctor’s office, me feeling like a human science experiment and Sami trying to stay positive. The doctor, in his infinite wisdom, suggested a pregnancy test before he could offer any help for my infection. Despite my period being fashionably late, which wasn’t out of the ordinary for me, the doc insisted on this test. He suspected I might have a urinary infection, so I had to take a urine test the next morning.

That morning, I stumbled through the bathroom, half-dressed and fully expecting the test to come back negative—after all, our past five attempts had been a parade of disappointment. But then, lo and behold, two pink lines appeared on the test. I stared at it in disbelief as if it were a magic trick gone wrong.

I shuffled back to our bedroom with the pregnancy test like it was a top-secret document. I jokingly offered the urine test to Sami, knowing full well his answer would be a resounding "no." But the real kicker was when I handed him the pregnancy test and asked if he was interested in having a baby with me instead. His reaction? Priceless. He was so ecstatic that he practically lifted me off the floor, spun me around like we were in a cheesy rom-com, and planted kisses all over me. We were both in a daze, struggling to grasp the reality that we were actually pregnant.

In that surreal moment, time felt like it hit the brakes. I had always felt this relentless pressure to rush through life’s to-do list, like we had to visit Disneyland before it was “too late.” But with a baby on the way, suddenly, the urgency vanished. Who cares if we don’t go to Disneyland for five years? It’ll be that much sweeter when we go with our little one in tow.

And so, from the disbelief of those two pink lines to the overwhelming joy we felt, our journey to parenthood was just beginning.

Pregnancy Announcement: Sharing the Joy

Now, let’s dive into one of the most exhilarating and nerve-wrecking parts of our journey—sharing the news with our loved ones and the world.

When it came time to announce our pregnancy, we faced a bit of a conundrum. The conventional wisdom says to wait until the 12th week due to the higher risk of miscarriage in the early stages. However, Sami and I knew we couldn't keep this exciting news from his family any longer. They had been practically sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for us to drop the big news, and his mother, in particular, had shown incredible support and interest in our journey. At first, I found their involvement a bit overwhelming, but I soon came to appreciate their genuine enthusiasm and support which felt like a warm hug—something I hadn’t felt much of from my own family back in Denmark.

So, in true Sami-and-me fashion, we decided to make our announcement a bit of a spectacle. We crafted a puzzle with a special message and a photo revealing the news. We printed the picture, glued it to cardboard, and cut it into puzzle pieces.  It was like a game show with fewer prizes and a lot more emotional investment. Watching Sami's family piece it together was pure comedy gold—there were gasps, giggles, and even a few puzzled looks before the big reveal!

We initially planned to save the public announcement for our wedding in April, intending to share the news on social media alongside the wedding festivities. However, we knew we had to break the news to my family in Denmark before going public. Given their previous reservations about my move to Mexico and our wedding, we braced ourselves for some mixed reactions.

So, when making a series of nerve-wracking phone calls that felt like auditioning for a reality show, we were met with a rollercoaster of responses.

Family Reactions: A Tapestry of Emotions

The reactions from my family were a comedy of surprises and heartwarming moments. Sami and I began with the “easy wins”—those we knew would be thrilled. My maternal grandfather was over the moon to hear he was going to be a great-grandfather. Given his health struggles, we shared the news early, hoping it would lift his spirits. His excitement was like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day.

On the flip side, my aunt, who knew we were trying, was more concerned than a cat at a dog show. Her reaction wasn’t quite the enthusiastic response we had hoped for. 

The real dramatic comedy came when the news started leaking out before we had a chance to share it ourselves. I felt like I was in a high-stakes race against the gossip grapevine. My father, in his excitement, completely forgot that not everyone had been clued in yet, including my mother, who I was most nervous to tell. But when I finally managed to spill the beans, her reaction was a pleasant surprise—she was far more supportive and happy than I had braced myself for.

Finally, announcing our pregnancy at our wedding was the highlight of the show.. The look of shock and delight on everyone’s faces was absolutely priceless. It turned into a joyful, laughter-filled celebration as we shared our big news with everyone around us!

First Trimester: From Rollercoaster to Rhythm

As if navigating the family reactions wasn’t enough, the first trimester decided to add its own twist to the plot. Imagine combining the thrill of a rollercoaster with the unpredictability of a carnival funhouse—welcome to my first trimester!

While Sami and I were still basking in the afterglow of our announcement, I was dealing with nausea that made eating feel like a high-stakes game of Russian roulette. Tiredness hit hard—I spent my lunch breaks at work catching Z’s, which didn’t quite align with the whole “eating for two” concept. Let’s just say my lunch breaks turned into nap time with a side of lightheadedness.

Sami was getting a crash course in living with a mood ring. One minute I was sobbing over a sentimental ad, the next I was on a quest for MilkeyWay chocolates like a deranged treasure hunter. It was like living with a high-maintenance circus performer—constant acts and no intermission.

Adding to the drama was a creeping sense of depression and anxiety which made me feel like I was navigating a maze blindfolded. In Mexico, mental health isn’t exactly a hot topic, so finding support felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. With my history of battling depression and anxiety, I was somewhat braced for this, but it didn’t make it any less of a rollercoaster.

However, despite feeling like a stranger in a new land, the journey wasn’t without its lighter moments. 

When I found out I was pregnant at week 6, I expected my baby bump to grow at lightning speed. I documented every Sunday with photos, convinced I’d be sporting a full-blown bump by the end of the first trimester. But now, at 26 weeks, I can see that the change between week 6 and week 13 wasn’t as dramatic as I’d imagined.

Amid the constant nausea and bone-deep fatigue, I found some humor in my weekly bump snapshots. They may not have shown the major growth I anticipated, but they sure provided a few laughs and a reminder that pregnancy is just one big, unpredictable adventure.

However, as we settled into our new routine and spent more quality time with Sami’s family, things started to improve. We figured out how to communicate better, and I slowly began to open up to Sami’s family. Despite the language barrier, we grew closer and stronger as a family. Finding our rhythm was like learning to dance in a minefield, but we made it work. After all, if anyone can handle the ups and downs of pregnancy with a smile (and a few laughs), it’s us.

Next Stop: Practical Tips and Tricks

The first trimester’s rollercoaster ride is just the beginning! Buckle up as we dive into the nitty-gritty of making the next phase smoother. In my upcoming blog post, I’ll break down a treasure trove of unbiased, research-based tips for navigating early pregnancy. Think practical advice, partner support strategies, to-do lists, and fun activities for couples.

And here’s the scoop—there’s a free, downloadable e-booklet packed with detailed non-biased research on the first trimester, complete with checklists and more! It’s packed with insights to help guide you through early pregnancy with confidence. Donations are appreciated to keep these resources coming, and if you’re craving info on other pregnancy topics, drop a comment on my next post! 

Grab your favorite snack and stay tuned—our journey’s just getting started!

With love and anticipation,

Melany