17 weeks – wow! For some reason, 17 weeks sounds pretty close to 20 weeks, which is half way there, which is incredible!
Baby is still pretty quiet. Kicks are few and far between, but I am super thankful for the ones I do feel. They are reassuring. I find myself needing a lot of reassurance that all is well.
I am also finding that the weight gain has been harder for me to be okay with this time, probably due to the fact that I had lost so much after Creed and I feel like I’m packing it all back on.
Here’s my big confession – I’ve gained 25#.
**GASP**
Never have I gained 25# in the first trimester. (Well, I didn’t gain all of that in the first trimester, but a fair share of it.) And that feels discouraging. Yes, I know I’ve gotten the weight off before, but it’s hard work, and I had thought this time I wouldn’t pack it on quite like this, but here I am…
Livin’ Large.
And yes, the comments about being almost due have begun to pour in. In fact, just this past week, I told a woman when I was due and as her eyes got as round as my belly, I followed it up with my customary, “I always get huge.” To which she replied, “I’d say so.”
Um…thanks….where’s the nearest exit?
I did realize one issue with my weight gain was a really bad taste in my mouth that I combatted by eating…all. the. time. As soon as I stopped eating, the bad taste came back. So, I ate…and ate…and ate. When my weight gain hit 25 pounds, I decided I had to do something other than eat.
So, I researched.
What I found out was that sometimes a bad taste in your mouth that causes you to want to eat to keep it at bay is an acidity issue and the best way to take care of it is by swishing your mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water – 1/4 tsp to 1 cup water to be exact. I keep it on the kitchen counter so that I can swish as needed, and surprisingly it has helped tremendously!
One not so good thing I’ve found this pregnancy, is that I have turned into a complainer. I’m not usually a complainer. (OK, I was with my first and second because I was young and ungrateful, but I really don’t have that excuse anymore.) I do not want a repeat of the postpartum depression I had with Baby #7, so I am hyper-aware of my attitude during pregnancy because that is where it all started with him. The complaining is really nothing more than making mountains out of molehills. Stressing and fussing over little things that are fleeting.
Pregnancy isn’t a permanent condition (no matter what my relatives think). I won’t be pregnant forever (no matter what I think). And actually, pregnancy is typically a very sweet time for me. Not as much is required of me. I get to take breaks without anyone thinking I’m a wimp. My life slows down. My family takes very good care of me. I am blessed!
So, complaining…hit the road!
Speaking of taking good care of me…
You know what my husband is doing in the photo below? He’s picking mulberries for me from the tree I used to eat off of as a little girl. This tree is at my dad’s farm. I would climb on top of the cab of my dad’s pickup and pick the juiciest, yummiest mulberries until I was all purpley. The mulberries Ty picked for me tasted exactly like my memories.
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Angelika says
I have had the metallic/sour taste in my mouth with both my pregnancies. I think it is called Dysgeusia or something. A less common pregnancy symptom apparently! And it is horrid, bleargh…I used baking soda last time, but find Listerine mouthwash works just as well and I prefer the taste. It is annoying, but it didn’t last past 20 weeks last time…here’s hoping! It is really a reason for over-eating too. Same here. Glad to hear you get the “big” comments. I am asked constantly if it’s twins…however I haven’t had anyone be quite as “blunt” as the lady you referred to! And they say Germans are rude…hehe..
I enjoy these Updates! Keep em coming…
sarah says
Amy –
Sorry to hear about your frustrations! Some pregnacys I barely gained, and others I gained a whole lot. Maybe you could start back on THM diet you love for the rest of this pg? Just to curb the weight gain, since you are concerned. Hormones are nasty and it sounds like you have some zingers, does increasing vit B, zinc, or magnesium help? Those 3 always help me. … well, really my point in writting was to give you a *hug * and send sympathy your way. 🙂
Kelsey says
I feel so blessed to be pregnant alongside you. You are such an encouragement to a younger Mom. Your practical tips and good attitude have been wonderful. 😉
Monique Stam says
May the Lord’s joy be your strength.
May His peace , provision and presence be evident.
Thankful for His blessing…and your testimony
and good berries!
Angela says
Hi Amy,
Google ‘oil pulling’, essentially swishing with oil. I do it with coconut oil in the morning and it helps tremendously with bad tastes all day, and has a host of added health benefits to boot. I didn’t know the increased bad tastes could be pregnancy related…thought it was just me (due with #4 in 3.5 weeks now).
Blessings,
Angela
CW says
Thanks for being so transparent. It helps to hear that I’m not the only one with similar problems.
Randee says
I had that bad taste with my first girl and not with my boy. This pregnancy I knew I was pregnant before I took the test at 4 weeks JUST because of that nasty taste…and was convinced it was a girl AND I was right. There might not be a gender connection but so far it has linked my girls together lol. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! 🙂
Amy says
I guess I can hope! 😉
Coby says
Random question: Did you find that the bad taste in your mouth is pregnancy related, or can the acidity issue be an issue all on its own? I’ve had a LOT of dental work done in the last year, and one of my teeth started acting up and one of the symptoms was a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not infected, and I’ve been oil pulling, chewing on garlic, and all sorts of other things. I’m going to try the baking soda and water and see if that helps as well!
Amy says
I think it can be an issue all its own. For me, it is definitely pregnancy related, but from what I saw online, it can be outside pregnancy too.
Coby says
Thank you!
Andrea says
As one of your followers for several years, we have never been pregnant at the same time but this time we are 5 weeks apart. And your posts. Are. so. helpful. Oh my word – you have no idea. I want to laugh and scream “get out of my head!” all at the same time. You really do a great service to many women by just being honest. I know I have commented on that before but it is a powerful tool you have at your fingertips. I thank you. And I am committing to pray for you, your pregnancy, your unborn child and the rest of your family. God’s blessings and peace and sufficiency to you all.
Amy says
Bless you, Andrea! Praying for you tonight! 🙂
shantzfamily says
So exciting to be almost half way!
I can relate to you in many ways in this post- I gained a lot of weight my last pregnancy (#6) – I plumped up like a christmas turkey! And I had told myself I wouldn’t do that this time. oops…he he. I gained almost all of it in the first 6 months too. then I started chewing gum/ sucking on mints or listerine- that helped with the yucky tastes and burps… ew so I didn’t have to nibble all the time. (I tend to have a very acidic thing going on during pregnancy anyway)
And now that he’s 3 months I still have 25-30 lbs hanging around… it will take patience and time this time! 😛
I know that sometimes pregnancy DOES seem to feel like it will be forever- At least you’ve done it enough times to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I am praying that you are filled with joy and peace!
I know how hard it is not to complain sometimes, but you already seem to know how blessed you are and I am sure you will overcome it!
thanks for sharing your journey. I’m cheering you on!
Amy says
🙂
kelly says
i LOVE the picture…we have a mulberry tree on my grandparents farm…we make mulberry jelly which in my family’s opinion FAR EXCEEDS grape as the #1 favorite!!
I don’t understand people who for whatever reason feel that have to be cruel. Pregnancy itself is such a daunting task that to add critiques from strangers…thats just so distressing. I’m sorry Amy, and I hope/pray that you find a way to not let it bother you and hurt your feelings. Although I never learned how to do that personally…pregnant or not…if you get my meaning…
I like keeping up with your updates
THANK YOU
Amy says
Thank you, Kelly 🙂
Kathryn says
You look beautiful, Amy!!
I had lost quite a bit of weight before getting pregnant with my youngest. I gained a lot of weight and quickly while pregnant. I was discouraged and worried. But the weight gain tapered off towards the end and I lost the weight quicker than I ever had after. (I’ve never been blessed in the weight loss dept!). So that might just be the same case with you!
We have mulberry trees also and my kids just eat and eat and eat! Most the times their faces, skin, and clothes are stained brought purple from their constant snacking. 😉
Bless you!
Amy says
I’m hoping that will be the case with my weight loss too! Thank you for the encouragement!
Reggie says
I never gained more than 3-5 pounds in the first trimester…until I lost a decent amount of weight between babies 4 and 5 that is. Now I gain upwards of 10 pounds in the first trimester, regardless of eating habits. It can definitely be discouraging but I try to remind myself that my body must know what it’s doing…right???