I had spent a year travelling abroad when I met the love of my life in Spain. Met him on the doorstep of his own home in a lively European street in the middle of the wonderful European Summer. I never called another doorstep home after that day.. Our early days were quickly filled with eating Tapas and drinking Mojito’s on the beach, planning trips back to my home and further around Europe; so, as I awoke one morning after a vivid “I’m pregnant” dream, it was needless to say realising that dream was more a premonition, or instinctive warning that something was growing in my stomach, was quite the shock.
A baby we had not prepared for and were in no way ready for. After all, I was travelling, had just even just fallen in love and I was not ready to stop for anything. But, I did. We quickly realised that all we needed were each other, and a family (as fast as it was) would be the most incredible adventure of all.
That’s when the symptoms began. Though I was lucky not to be plagued with all-day sickness and I was blessed with a healthy baby from the beginning, I was instantly hit hard by crazy hormones, insane tiredness, an aversion to touch and all the mental breakdowns one could possibly imagine. The first few weeks consisted of crying over (literally) spilt milk to endlessly missing my family and my home. So, as I spent my days researching “all about pregnancy”, the symptoms and the trimesters, I was somewhat relieved to find that the second trimester was going to whisk us back to our honeymoon phase. Finally, I would enjoy #pregnantlife!
Oh, how wrong they were. 20 weeks in and I found myself just as crazy, emotional and revolted by touch as I was in those first few weeks. Libido? What libido? Honeymoon phase? Long gone! Not long into my second trimester, I began feeling guilty. Guilty that I wasn’t following the ‘textbook pregnancy’ guidelines. Also my partners patience suddenly extended from one trimester, to two (so far) and that I wasn’t enjoying my pregnancy like I was ‘supposed to’. What was wrong with me?
The answer; absolutely nothing!
I began reading pregnancy forums, pregnancy blogs and researching other mom’s, looking for their real-life experiences and as it turns out, I was not alone – not by a long shot! You see, the same hormones and bodily changes that are “supposed” to create that honeymoon phase in the second trimester, can actually have the total opposite effect and it is far more common than I could imagine.
What a relief!
I decided to spend a lot more time reading real-life stories and real mom experiences to gain a better understanding of just how differently pregnancy can affect us all. The stories are eye-opening. No two pregnancies seem to be the same, nor do they follow a classic “textbook” style; but, no matter what you’re going through on your journey, you are not alone!
It was through this incredible experience that I re-discovered my passion for writing, for sharing my experiences and for inspiring others to follow their dreams. I won tripsacross continents, travelled across Western USA on a writing assignment and became a regular contributor to the travel brand Contiki.
It was also on this journey that life opened up a new door of adventure and opportunity; I fell in love, and I fell pregnant! Now, my passion for writing and inspiring has taken on a whole new meaning (and audience!).
- 5 Tips For Getting Through A Hard Day - July 1, 2020
- Postpartum Diet: New Moms Eating Tips Made Easy - November 7, 2019
- Tips for SAHM – 5 Ways to Entertain Your Baby - June 13, 2019
2 comments
It is in reality a nice and useful piece of information. I?¦m glad that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog
web site? The account helped me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit
acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright transparent idea