Last week, we announced that I’m pregnant and Team Arbo is expecting our little one this 2021. The baby is due anytime end of September to early October. Today, I’ll share with you my first trimester journey!
We have really been planning to have another baby. Zeeka turned 8 this year and I think since two years ago, we’ve really been thinking about it. But every time, I would feel that we weren’t ready (or maybe it was just me). Then 2020 came, Zeeka turned 7 just right about before lockdown in Metro Manila happened. Then, again, we thought or I thought, I wasn’t ready, especially given the situation. Until one day, I realized that we won’t always be ready. We will never be ready.
Finding out I was Pregnant
Since we were “planning”, I started taking folic acid since middle of 2020. February 2021, I noticed some changes in the way I was feeling. I missed my period this month so as soon as I missed it, I took a home pregnancy test. Lo and behold, it came out positive! I remember placing it in and envelope and after EJ’s meeting, I handed it over to him right before our lunch break. He opened it and his eyes sparkled! haha! I knew that EJ was waiting for this moment, too. We both wanted to have around 2-3 kids.
My First Trimester Journey
Oh my gosh! I remembered my pregnancy with Zeeka to be a walk in the park. I didn’t have any morning sickness during my first pregnancy. I was glowing and radiant! But for this pregnancy, I felt horrible! I felt nauseous every single minute of the day. I would listen during meetings, but oftentimes, I would feel like vomiting so I’d stop mid-sentence sometimes while talking. What helped me a lot were Ginger candy. I didn’t have much appetite for anything really. These Ginger candies would sustain me all throughout the day.
I never forgot to drink lots of water though and coconut juice as advised by my doctor. During the early months of my first trimester, I knew that I was dehydrated so I really made sure to drink 2 liters of water a day (even if I felt a little bit bloated because of the amount of water).
Obviously, exercising with gusto was out of the question. I would walk back and forth here at home. I think I need to do more walking though now that I’m in the early days of my second quarter.
Check – ups and Blood Tests
I had online check-ups with my obstetrician. She said that that will suffice for now, and I would have a teleconsult with her after having any tests done like my transvaginal ultrasounds or blood tests. So during these times (of COVID-19), it may be best to have tele-consults first with your doctor unless you’re experiencing bleeding, or if you feel that something’s wrong.
For blood tests and urinalysis, I would call Hi- Precision Diagnostics to do home service. The first tests that my doctor had me take are FBS, CBC, urinalysis, HbsAg, VDRL, HIV 1 and 2. The tests cost me around close to Php 3000 for all of these.
As for the Transvaginal Ultrasound, I had it in In My Womb. My doctor said it was better to go to these specialized clinics first rather than take it in hospital at this point in time when cases of COVID in our country is still high. A TVS in In my Womb costs around Php 2700. In In My Womb, they make sure that you follow protocols. I have a history of having Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) so I had to mention that to them.
In the first trimester, I got a transvaginal ultrasound on eh 6th and 8th (or was it 9th week?). The reason why was the heartbeat is best detected during the 8th or 9th week. Although, the doctor saw the heartbeat during both transvaginal ultrasounds. I’m telling you this so that you don’t worry also when they mention that it’s too early to see any heartbeat. I was actually due for another ultrasound during the 12th week, but I’m scared to go out of the house.
My doctor said it’s fine and to start practicing using a doppler. We bought a doppler a long time ago during my pregnancy with Zeeka. I also bought my neighbors’ doppler recently because ours was broken. You can also buy one from Lazada. This is the link to the doppler that we use now.
Reminders for your First Trimester Journey
For the first trimester, the priority is really taking care of yourself. If you have good health, your baby will have good health, too. When you plan to leave the house for any check ups, put on a mask and face shield at home and just only remove these again when you return. Try not to touch your mask or face shield anywhere or anytime outside of the house. This was an advise that I really take to heart. Even in the car, I don’t touch or take off my mask and face shield (even if we use our own car).
I also use those Ionizers that I hang around my neck. I use an ionizer that my parents gave. You can get it also from Lazada and here is the link to the ionizer that I use.
Inside the house, we have an air purifier, too, that we place near the entrance hallway of our condo. We have the one from Xiaomi and I think it works pretty well. Here is the link to the Xiaomi Air Purifier we have at home. I really wanted to have those heavy duty ones so I’m still saving up for those. This air purifier approximately worth Php 7000 will do.
During the first trimester, aside from folic acid, I haven’t been taking other vitamins since my doctor said that vitamins and even maternal milk can make you more nauseous. True enough! I felt queasy after trying to take one cup of milk and drinking vitamin C (on separate occasions). Now that I feel better, I started taking maternal milk.
So there, that’s it for my first trimester journey. If you have something to share about your experience during your own first trimester journey or if you have any questions, feel free to message me! I’ll be glad to answer and chat with you. If you are pregnant and reading this, congratulations! đŸ™‚ This will be an exciting journey!
P.S. Here are some of the other posts in this blog that you might be interested in
