Pregnancy after bypass: Week 4 pregnancy diary

What an interesting week it’s been. I’m barely pregnant, the baby was the size of a poppy seed at the four week mark but already some of the early pregnancy symptoms are hitting me hard. I’ve been trying to reduce caffeine, I’m not sure if I can completely give it up and I’m already finding it hard keeping it secret and not being able to tell everyone and talk about it openly.

I started off week four by going for a walk with some friends followed by brunch. We walked four kilometres and it was a nice flat, easy walk but that afternoon and evening I was exhausted. My exercise has not been enough this year for so many reasons but I’m going to try and keep a reasonable amount of activity up throughout my pregnancy. I have told a couple of my closest friends and was trying to quietly talk about it with one on the walk when no one else was around which was fun but scary. I really didn’t want anyone to overhear!

My mum came down to stay with us on Sunday night because she had a hospital appointment the next day (one year in remission from lymphoma, yay Mum!) and it was hard not telling her. We are planning on telling our parents on Mother’s Day and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I had to decline yummy, expensive wine too but because I can be such a weirdo with food I hope it didn’t raise any suspicion.

I’ve already realised how difficult food is going to be during pregnancy. I am already limited by my gastric bypass related diet restrictions and adding in the pregnancy ones takes away most of the things I rely on all the time. No cold deli meat, be careful with leftovers and reheat them thoroughly (I can struggle with reheated food), no hummus, mayo and so many other things I eat all the time. Most of the protein powders, bars and other supplements I fall back on aren’t suitable for pregnancy. Already it’s getting hard figuring out what I can have for lunches that meets all of my now exhaustive criteria for food.

Going by the date of my last period my due date is 31/12/2017 which can be a hard time to find a midwife for. Of course many of them go on holiday and take time off to be with their families at that time of year. I got in touch with the midwife I had when I was pregnant first time around and she was more than happy to take me on again! I was stoked, seeing the struggle some ladies have to find a midwife at that time of year I’m feeling really lucky.

My last pregnancy was smooth sailing up until 37 weeks when everything turned to custard. I got pre-eclampsia, ended up being induced and my son was very small when he was born. I also have O- blood which can be a bit of a problem when my husband has an Rh + blood type. It’s comforting to be with the same amazing woman who took such good care of me last time and knows my history.

I had an appointment with my GP this week to confirm the pregnancy and start off the medical side of things. One of the first things she asked me was how many pregnancy tests I had done. When I admitted that I had done four she giggled at me and said there was probably no point in doing another one. We had a good chat about the vitamins and supplements I need to take and she gave me forms to get bloods and a dating scan done. Because of all of the complications I had last time it looks like I will be closely monitored again.

The pregnancy symptoms are already really getting me. I am tired and it hits me hard in the evenings. I have been going to bed so much earlier than usual but annoyingly I have been having really restless and wakeful sleeps at night which is not helping with the tiredness. My boobs are huge and sore, if I knock them into something I know about it quick smart. I’m feeling some cramps and pulling pains in my tummy and while it’s so small I can tell there’s something going on in there.

I have felt a bit nauseous a few times this week but one episode was particularly annoying. I was in our usual morning meeting and was standing up in the sun. I started to feel a bit too hot and sick so I sat on the floor and managed to get through the meeting without having to make a run for it. I went back to my desk after and had some water and a plain biscuit but it didn’t really help and took a while longer to pass. I’ve been needing to pee a bit more often and when I think I need to I really need to. This is annoying me at night already!

Apart from the symptoms I’ve been feeling at times I hardly feel pregnant. I’m making the most of still fitting my clothes so have been making sure I wear my favourites while I still can. I started investigating pregnancy/maternity clothes already this week but if you have any suggestions please comment below and let me know.

Weekly Check-In

How far along? Four weeks, I think I may be a few days ahead where my due date is putting me but we will find out at the dating scan in a couple of weeks.

How big is the peanut? It started this week the size of a poppy seed.

Total weight gain/loss? I was 300g down on last week’s weight.

Sleep? What’s that? I get so tired, crash early and then wake up a couple of hours later and toss and turn all night. I’m already feeling uncomfortable.

Best moment this week? Getting the same midwife for this pregnancy that I had last time.

Symptoms? Fatigue, sore boobs, feeling nauseous, cramps, broken sleep.

What I miss? Hummus, cold deli chicken, buying salads for lunch.

What I’m looking forward to? The dating scan that’s booked for a couple of weeks.