It is hard to believe that I am currently 38 weeks pregnant.
The time has flown so fast, and it does feel like yesterday when I was looking at a positive pregnancy test and crying happy tears.
And then everything changed. No human could’ve possibly predicted that a global pandemic would hit in 2020. We will definitely remember this year for the rest of our lives. I will remember it especially (and in the most special way too!) because this is the year when I have been growing and carrying a little human.
My pregnancy journey in 2020 has definitely been an experience to remember.
If you have read my post about 7 Truths About Being Pregnant During The Coronavirus Pandemic you probably already know what it’s been like for myself (and most mamas-to-be out there) and what kind of challenges a pandemic has brought for pregnant women.
In this post I am going to walk down a memory lane with you and remember how it all went: from the first at-home pregnancy test to this very moment.
In a nutshell, my pregnancy has been AMAZING. I loved every stage of it and I am so thankful that it’s been going so smoothly.
My Pregnancy Journey in 2020:
1st, 2nd and 3rd Trimesters
1st Trimester
How it was
I have to probably start by saying that I got pregnant in early December, and we had no idea until 4/01/20 when we found out. Eeekk!!
It was the most exciting times but also, the first trimester is quite an anxious time for most women. Mine was a bit challenging both mentally and physically up until my dating scan (12-week scan). I had two scary experiences.
One had to do with slight bleeding (which, by the way, can be completely normal!) around 6 and a half weeks. We were offered an emergency scan and got to see our little bean for the first time. She had a strong heartbeat and I cried. That was probably the first time it hit me – I am going to be a mama, all being well.
Another one was complete loss of all the “normal” early pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks. Even my midwife sounded quite concerned and recommended to go in for a private scan. We thought about it and then decided just to leave it in God’s hands and see what happens by the scheduled NHS dating scan.
It was probably one of the best days in the past 6 months – we both got to see our little growing baby. Not a tiny bean anymore but resembling a little human and wiggling away.
So yes, my loss of all symptoms meant nothing was wrong. I was just one of the lucky ones with this pregnancy. My nausea started around 4 weeks and vanished at 8 weeks. Can’t complain about that!
Another huge thing I think is worth mentioning is mental health.
For a few weeks I was feeling very low and very sad. I lost interest in things I used to love. Just had no interest in anything, whatsoever. It was quite scary and I mentioned it to my midwife as soon as I possibly could. I thought it would be best not to hold it in but share it.
I was so glad to hear from her that it was all normal and was due to my hormones changing and shifting, and that it should “fix itself” within weeks. And it did!!!
Imagine getting a supportive response like this from a medical professional vs. your friend who JUDGED you for “not being excited about pregnancy”. Yes, I had one person say that to me when I shared with her how I was feeling. Some people just don’t understand the process and are too quick to make assumptions.
Big lesson there for myself there and for you too, I hope. Never be too fast to judge.
Symptoms
+ nausea (but only up until week 8!)
+ low moods and crying due to hormones (only to week 10)
+ food aversions (almost everything was making me nauseous!)
+ increased sense of smell and aversions (I couldn’t open the fridge or handle my husband’s deodorant haha)
+ extreme fatigue (I had to take frequent naps whenever I could, otherwise I’d never get through a work day)
+ running to the bathroom (All. The. Time.)
+ feeling bloated (even a tiny cup of tea made me feel like I’ve had a massive meal)
Cravings
None at this stage. It was all about what I could stomach and what I couldn’t even look at.
BEST MOMENTS
+ getting to see our growing baby at our ultrasound scans
+ bye-bye nausea at week 8
+ feeling better mentally after a few tough weeks
+ pregnancy going smoothly and progressing
+ telling family & friends the big news
1st Trimester Essentials
+ ginger tea
+ toast
+ sea sickness bands
+ sick bags (just in case, especially if you’re at work or out)
+ lots of naps
2nd Trimester
How it was
Smooth! Best trimester ever!
I couldn’t believe how amazing my 2nd trimester was. You suddenly get a little bump (yay!) but you’re also bursting with energy and joy. Every single day!
There were a few little challenges for me like pelvic pain around week 16 but it only lasted for a few weeks. What a relief it was when it vanished! I know quite a few pregnant women who suffer from it badly so I was definitely lucky not to suffer too much.
One of the biggest challenges of my pregnancy journey in 2020 was definitely the fact that Covid-19 started sweeping through the planet. It was very difficult not knowing what was going to happen. There was a lot of anxiety about it around March, April and May. Then, we’ve learnt to adapt.
Also, one of the best things – enjoying food and smells again! haha
No wonder EVERYONE kept telling me this is the best pregnancy time.
Even despite everything that’s been going on with a pandemic. I’m so thankful it was such a smooth trimester.
Symptoms
+ finally getting a cute little bump and documenting how it’s growing
+ lots of energy!
+ some round ligament pain (due to everything starting to stretch)
+ some pelvic / lower back pain
+ enjoying my favourite food again
+ enjoying normal smells again
Cravings
+ avocado
+ kefir
+ cherry tomatoes
+ chicken nuggets
+ chocolate
+ coffee! (I had complete aversion to coffee in my 1st trimester)
Best moments
+ feeling those first flutters, and then baby kicks and wiggles
+ having a lot of energy
+ seeing the bump grow
+ anatomy scan at 20 weeks and seeing our healthy baby
+ finding out the gender! (we are over the moon to have a baby girl!)
+ getting all the baby essentials and getting the nursery sorted
2nd Trimester Essentials
+ maternity clothes (you’ll need those comfy bras, leggings, etc.)
+ pregnancy pillow (it is my bestie, and I mean it)
+ pregnancy yoga
+ lots of walks
3rd Trimester
How it’s been
Overall, it’s been amazing! It only started to get a big tough closer to 34 weeks.
I am now 38 weeks and BUZZING! We are so close.
The excitement is through the roof.
Even with the most bizarre sleeping schedule, I thoroughly enjoyed being in my 3rd trimester.
By the way, random tip – never tell a pregnant woman in her 3rd trimester to get sleep “while she can”. It is the most frustrating comment. First of all, you can’t store sleep. Secondly, you don’t sleep through the night in your 3rd trimester, especially after 32 weeks. Naps during the day solve the problem.
We also had 2 growth scans. At 28 weeks I measured just 1 week above, and then at 31 weeks it happened again. So by the protocol, my midwife had to schedule me in for an emergency growth scan. The baby measured spot on! Plus, I got to see her again – yay!
We had another one 4 weeks later (07/08/20) and baby girl measured spot on again. So pleased about that.
At this stage, we just can’t wait to meet her and bring her home with us.
Symptoms
+ weird sleeping schedule, mostly due to needing the bathroom a few times during the night
+ some insomnia (I only had it a handful of times, thankfully)
+ bigger bump = more difficult to move, bend, turn in bed, put clothes and shoes on
+ some on and off back pain
+ some on and off round ligament pain
+ lots of baby wiggles and kicks – no need to hold a hand against the bump to feel them, they are very visible too!
+ heartburn (I can’t have too much at dinner – boooo)
+ heavy breathing and some breathlessness going up the stairs (lungs are squished up)
+ fatigue
Cravings
+ sugar: give me all the cookies, chocolate, cake, etc.
+ coffee (I managed to “fool” my brain into liking decaf coffee but I do treat myself to an occasional Starbucks)
+ nuggets and really, anything from McDonald’s
+ all the “forbidden” things: now that we are getting closer to meeting our baby girl, I am starting to crave everything that’s been a no-no during pregnancy! So, I even made a list for my husband what to get at the supermarket before picking up baby and myself from the hospital, haha.
Best moments
+ scans and getting to see our sweet baby
+ her strong kicks and wiggles
+ her reaction to music (piano) and her dad’s voice
+ excitement overload!
3rd Trimester Essentials
+ lots of rest combined with healthy amount of walking/moving
+ good nutrition + staying hydrated
+ getting everything ready for the baby’s arrival
+ packing hospital bags
PIN for later 📌
My Pregnancy Journey in 2020: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Trimesters
This has been my pregnancy journey in 2020.
I can’t believe how close we are.
We are soon going to be a little family of 3.
Can’t wait to meet our sweet baby girl. She is so so SO loved already.
