Hi, my name is René. I am a retired medical doctor with 2 beautiful children.
I was in my early 30s when we decided to start a family. Unfortunately my first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at about 8 weeks even though I had not had any problems and it was unexpected. Needless to say I was experiencing a roller coaster emotionally going from being very happy to confused and worried that this would happen again. Luckily I conceived again within a few months and seeing the heartbeat on the first scan was the turning point for me and I could start hoping that this pregnancy would be OK.
Although I was very apprehensive and anxious and analysed any strange signs or symptoms until I reached 12 weeks, I started to relax after that as I had passed the first big milestone (first trimester).
I did experience a mild dose of morning sickness in my first trimester but it was not too bad. Other that that, I felt pretty OK for the first 12 weeks and did not experience any strange cravings either. Once I saw the scan with all the measurements and movements and checking that the fetus was normal – I felt my anxiety lifting and I could start focusing on the planning stage.
My second trimester was not too bad but the highlight of this period was feeling movement for the first time and starting to have conversations with our baby (it was no longer a fetus but a real baby to me).
My third trimester was the most trying as baby grew bigger and our conversations now included ” Ouch that was sore” as I got kicked in the ribs. Finding a comfortable position to sleep was not easy and I often slept propped up on 3 pillows. Heartburn hit with vengeance in this period.
Weight gain was a big problem for me during my first pregnancy as I gained approximately 25 kilograms and felt like a baby elephant!!
I had an induced labour with our first baby as hubby had to go to the army and as can be expected, the army was not going to wait a week! Having an epidural was heaven sent and, for me, made the birthing process less stressful. Having supportive and encouraging nursing staff who had the knack to make me laugh but also make me feel special, definitely helped enormously.
First time pregnancy can make you feel like you have been in a tumble-drier emotionally with highs and lows, but it is worth it when you see your newborn miracle.
