In many of mater mea’s personal essays, articles, and interviews, we learn what happens years after the baby arrives. But with our new series Chronicles of a First-Time Mom, we’ll get to follow moms at the beginning of their journey. Every month, we’ll provide you with an update on three moms-to-be as they navigate their first pregnancies. We’ll share their birth stories and check in throughout their babies’ first year of life up until their first birthday.
Our moms-to-be Patrice King, Rochelle Dorset, and Nic Campbell told us about finding out they were pregnant in the first Q&A of the series. Now they share more about their first trimester below.
What have you enjoyed about your first trimester?
P: All of the bizarre baby advice, name suggestions, and random feedback I’ve been getting from people. My brother is insane. After seeing the photos from my ultrasound, my brother told me my baby was going to be a boy, because he said there was no way it could be a girl with a head that big, and everyone is always suggesting their name for the baby’s name, no matter the gender.
N: My first doctor’s appointment with the OB when we got to hear the baby’s heartbeat, and see the baby on the screen. It was just like, “Wow, there’s a person in there!”
R: The most fun was reading about what was happening. I downloaded this Baby Center app, and it walks you through day-by-day what’s happening with the baby, and what’s growing this week, and the changes in your body. Talking to my husband about all of these experiences is really nice. We’re taking our relationship to a new level, so we’re also taking time to prepare for that as a couple.
What physical change are you most looking forward to?
P: I am excited for my belly. I feel like it’s non-existent now, so it’ll be exciting to watch it grow.
N: I’m looking forward to the bump growing, and doing the whole #dressthebump and all that stuff. I’m really looking forward to that because right now, no one knows I’m pregnant. It’s interesting, people will ask,”Why are you breathing so hard?” because they don’t know, and they don’t get it. On the train, people aren’t giving up their seat, not that they necessarily would for a visibly pregnant woman, but they’re definitely not giving up their seat for [me], because no one can tell.
R: I’m definitely looking forward to getting a little baby bump. I also think people are a little nicer and a little bit more accommodating when they can see that you’re pregnant. I’m excited to see the baby grow and find out what the sex is.
What physical change are you most apprehensive about?
P: I don’t know—maybe pregnancy acne. During the first trimester I’ve been breaking out more than normal.
N: If you had asked me before I got pregnant, I would have said I was worried about the weight gain. But after doing a lot of reading, and being on forums, I realize you’re supposed to gain weight; you gain the weight you need to gain, so I’m not as apprehensive about that now.
R: The birth is scary to me. I try not to think about that. I have a little ways to go but that’s definitely something I am not looking forward to. I want the baby to be here and be healthy, but I am afraid of the pain. Other than that, I really don’t know what’s in store.
Has anything surprised you so far?
P: The day that I had my first sonogram and heard my baby’s heartbeat for the first time. I didn’t expect to be able to hear a heartbeat from something so small. It was really real when we did that.
N: It’s surprises me how one minute, I’m like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom,” and then the next minute I’m really afraid that I’m going to be someone’s mom. I go from shock, to fear, to love, back to shock. The emotional roller coaster has just become a regular part of my day. I find myself crying at Kleenex commercials!
R: The fact that I can feel the baby. There’s a presence there. Even from four weeks, I’ve felt like I can feel something happening inside of me.
Join us next month as we talk to Patrice, Nic, and Rochelle about their second trimesters!
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