Date: February 2013
Due to changes in hormones during pregnancy, many pregnant ladies have to suffer physical and emotional changes in the first trimester of pregnancy. Other than the cold sores and sleeping problems that I faced, I had many other pregnant symptoms which could not be avoided.
Morning sickness
This can strike at any time of the day… but, I was really lucky… I didn’t have to suffer from any morning sickness in my first trimester at all. However, I only had a heightened sense of smell and this caused waves of nausea sometimes.
Dizziness
Pregnancy causes blood vessels to dilate and blood pressure to drop, which may cause dizziness. In my first trimester, the dizziness was quite bad and I couldn’t stand up for too long. I was unable to endure the long queues during lunch time and had to pack lunch back to office for the entire trimester. Actually it was a good thing that I hid from the canteen during the first 3 months. People will sure notice the changes (increased weight + paleness) in me and start asking questions.
 Heartburn
The digestive system for each pregnant lady tends to slow down hence it is advisable to eat and chew food slowly so food can be digested properly. I felt bloated before and after meals and most often suffered from nausea. I would only feel better after burping which I do not know how. The gas forces itself out involuntarily and I always had to “vomit†it out. Most of the time there was only gas, and sometimes, I did vomit. The worse one I had was during a shower one day. I was showering and vomited in shower (x1), wanted to run to toilet bowl but couldn’t make it in time (x2), vomited again into toilet bowl because I felt disgusted with the vomit (x3). Decided to wash up, when to rinse mouth, and felt disgusted again, so vomit into sink (x4). Finally I had nothing left in my tummy and the whole vomiting episode ended. Cleaning up was terrible.
 Constipation
I am lucky that I do not have such problems, maybe only occasionally.
 Sinus, stuffy nose
It is very common for pregnant ladies to have runny or stuffed nose throughout the pregnancy. It is like having bad sinus day and night. It is worse at bed times.
 Fatigue
I get tired easily these days; often need a short rest every hour of walking. In our trip to Hong Kong earlier this year, we had to stop every now and then for rest. During early pregnancy, the high level of hormone progesterone will put one to sleep.
 Food cravings
No craving at all! Lucky JR!
Other posts in My Pregnancy Diary:
 The Big Fat Positive!2. 
Pregnancy Woes <current post>