Bloat and no bloat - that is my question

[sue68]

Hi,

I'm at the end of  my 8th week and until this time I've been bloated - looked like I was a few months pregnant.  Then the last 2-3 days the bloating has gone down - could even button my pants ! I'm just wondering if any of you remember / or have been going through the same thing ? Does it come and go like the nausea ? If I'm not bloated and uncomfortable I sometimes wonder / worry that I shouldn't be feeling too good.  Oh, and when you start "showing" - where does the belly extend - from low on the uterus area or just around the belly button ? SOmetimes I don't know if I got a pooch - ( maybe and I'm in denial )  or if I'm starting to show.  I know its too early though - sigh - guess I gots a pooch then.....

Any other "what they don't tell you about pregnancy" advice / tips would be a great help.   Ooh, would like to hear about aches/pulls etc....cuz I'm trying not to drive myself crazy with thoughts until my appointment.   Thanks in advance for your contributions - I'm sure everyone will learn something they don't read in books .  :D  

[sue68]

Thanks Girls,

Your experiences eased my worries though I still check for blood when I go P.    Spade, long hairs huh ? Well, I guess its a good time for the "winter coat". lol    I'm wondering this :  do people "trim" when they go to see the OB ? I'm picturing my doc "digging around" to do a pelvic check...   DH was interested when I mentioned the increased sex drive. I haven't been in the mood and the aches / pulls made us nervous.    
Nausea comes and goes - sometimes its strong that when I close my eyes  , feel dizzy - but, not throwing up yet(touch wood) .  

I'm a big water drinker and I pound back a couple litres/day. But, still get the constipation - by that I mean I miss a day or two.  Thanks for the caution on the pregnancy books. I'd read about the symptoms and
common complaints but, was afraid it wasn't a normal pg because I wasn't suffering.  I'm starting to feel them now though. Like the frequent p-ing  and now the fatique.   I think I'll take all your advice and just look at the photos weekly to see how the bean looks and the developmental stage.  You know it crossed my mind to get a doppler when the time comes but, I know it'll be strapped to me 24/7 so I better not.  I feel like screaming - 2 weeks til the first appointment.  Holding our breaths while time drags by.  

Oh, I have a tip for the early preggers.  I saw this on a tv show .  When you can't button your pants use a hair elastic (preferably one that matches tone of pants).  Stick one end of elastic thorough buttonhole and then through the other  end/loop and pull tight.    You can then pull the free end and streeeetch it around the button loophole  Voila ! You gain an inch or so for bloats, baby or eating. This is great for Christmas feasts .....

Thank you again for your advice - if there's any more -keep 'em coming !

[Victoria01]

Well, I bloated around 6-10 weeks and then my stomach went back to 'normal' until around 14-16 weeks. Now I am 23 weeks and look every bit of it!

I was nauseated and throwing up until my due date with my first pregnancy, but this one is going a little smoother, only being nauseated and throwing up every few days instead of every day. The whole term 'morning sickness' should be banned from a doc's vocabulary and just stick with all day sickness. (something that confused me with my first since I was throwing up in the afternoon and evening and not morning).

I actually gave up on reading all the books. As Amanda said, if something doesn't match up, it just stresses you out. The only good thing about them is that you could read about what your baby was doing and not doing, though that should be taken with a grain of salt too since they all develop differently.

[forestfairie]

Im 8 wks along also, congrats! Since this is my 3rd child (5th pg) Ive been showing for a few weeks now. Alot of mine is on and off bloating as well and it is determined by salt and water retention for sure! My morning sickness and other symptoms also come and go on a daily basis. Ive learned to just be thankful for the days Im not feeling like I was hit by a truck :) Im also getting some pulls and pains here or there which the OB told me to expect in the next month or so. Im showing from just under my breasts all the way down to the pubic hair area. Already nice and round but Im guessing its because Ive been pg before. Those muscles know what to do!

I think there are lots of weird things you never hear about but are still normal. I have this gross taste in my mouth alllllll the time that I cant get rid of. Its the first time Ive ever had this before and I wish I didnt! Same thing with insomnia which I have horribly this time around but never before. I dont know its all just a daily crap shoot I think.

[adgal]

What to tell you about pregnancy....well, if there is one thing I have learned about pregnancy it's that the word "normal" just doesn't apply. Everyone's experience is different, and your own can differ from one day to the next. This time around my symptoms drove me crazy....they came and went from one day to the next, sometimes changing a few times a day.  BB's sore, then not, morning sickness, then none. Bloating..oh yes.  Then it would go away and come back a few days later.  Every single time things changed I was absolutely convinced I was losing this pregnancy too. Pamela, Prevatt and RDH will tell you...I drove them crazy!!  They kept threatening to come out here and sedate me until birth or something. Like Spade I still check for blood every single time I go to the bathroom.  

I started showing around 9 or 10 weeks but I think it was water retention more then anything.  Also, constipation can make a difference. Those things could easily be causing that "pooch".  

Lastly, those books can drive you nuts.  If you are anything like me, everytime what I was experiencing didn't match what the books said I should, I started to stress.  Remember that every baby has it's own little timeline, and the best part is, the majority of the time it's all fine!!!  I'm so happy for you Sue!!!  It sounds like so far so good!!

[spade22]

Yes!  Changes in the amount of bloating are completely normal.  Bloating can be influenced by your hydration level as well as salt intake so it can definitely vary from day-to-day.

I didnt start to show until my 2nd trimester.  I think it was around my bellybutton.

Hmmmmm, what they dont tell you in books.  My public hair grew REALLY long.  In fact, so long it became straight!  I also became pretty forgetful and had increased sex drive. I would get dizzy and be on the verge of fainting (throughout pregnancy) if I didnt eat within a certain time.  Had to sleep sitting up in a chair for part of the pregnancy due to siatic pain.  Not sure if any of that helps.

Ohhh yeah.  Throughout my pregnancy I checked the TP for blood EVERYtime I had to urinate.  There never was any but  I was still obsessed about it.