5.5 months and miserable

My pregnancy so far has been pretty easy.  I had some nausea and fatigue, but I managed it.  But gradually it's just been getting worse and worse.  I'm uncomfortable all of the time.

I can't tell if I'm hungry or nauseated.  My stomach feels "upset" all of the time.  I don't want to eat anything.  Everything I eat makes it worse except water.  Or sometimes I'll be very hungry but know that if I do eat something I'll feel worse so I don't want to.  It's unbearable!  What can I do??

I am getting so tired that I feel like I need to be able to lay down and rest, but I can't do it at my job, and sitting here with the stomach discomfort all day is torture.  It's getting harder and harder to make it through my shifts, and I don't know how I can last 3 more months.  The hours just draggggg onnnnnn....

I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because I have to get up and pee or eat or turn over.  I can't get to sleep, I can't stay asleep.  I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any rest.

I get itchy all over my body.

I'm so frustrated and uncomfortable it makes me cry.  How do you get through it??  It wouldn't be so bad if I could take care of myself and do the things I need to do to feel better (i.e. nap, rest, distract myself), but I can't do that at work.  It's getting to where I absolutely dread going.

Original Post by huggitbear:

I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because I have to get up and pee or eat or turn over.  I can't get to sleep, I can't stay asleep.  I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any rest.

I get itchy all over my body.

I'm so frustrated and uncomfortable it makes me cry.  How do you get through it??  It wouldn't be so bad if I could take care of myself and do the things I need to do to feel better (i.e. nap, rest, distract myself), but I can't do that at work.  It's getting to where I absolutely dread going.

You are aware that you are pregnant and that you'll soon have a kid that will keep you awake, take most of your time, keep you from resting all of the time?

I don't wanna say "get used to it" but really, if you think your problems aren't just normal pregnancy issues, see a doctor. If he tells you that it's pregnancy specific, well, ... deal?

Original Post by kittyisaround:

Original Post by huggitbear:

I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because I have to get up and pee or eat or turn over.  I can't get to sleep, I can't stay asleep.  I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any rest.

I get itchy all over my body.

I'm so frustrated and uncomfortable it makes me cry.  How do you get through it??  It wouldn't be so bad if I could take care of myself and do the things I need to do to feel better (i.e. nap, rest, distract myself), but I can't do that at work.  It's getting to where I absolutely dread going.

You are aware that you are pregnant and that you'll soon have a kid that will keep you awake, take most of your time, keep you from resting all of the time?

 

I don't wanna say "get used to it" but really, if you think your problems aren't just normal pregnancy issues, see a doctor. If he tells you that it's pregnancy specific, well, ... deal?

Dude, I hate this attitude. Pregnant women aren't allowed to b*tch? I, too, have found pregnancy extremely annoying since day one. I know that my inability to sleep because of my belly isn't going to be as bad as when the baby gets here (and who knows, I might have a baby that sleeps through the night after a couple of weeks, like I did when I was a baby!) , but seriously.

The whole "pregnancy is a wonderful thing" is BS. It's not wonderful to the mother-to-be. It's annoying and painful and aggrevating, even if the pregnancy itself only lasts for 9 months. Sure, there's a baby in there, and that's wonderful, but really? I've been pretty much hating life since becoming pregnant. Women are allowed to NOT like being pregnant, and are allowed to moan and groan about usual pregnancy-related discomforts. Just because we're brewin' a baby doesn't mean we have to be all smiles, all the time.

Original Post by kittyisaround:

Original Post by huggitbear:

I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because I have to get up and pee or eat or turn over.  I can't get to sleep, I can't stay asleep.  I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any rest.

I get itchy all over my body.

I'm so frustrated and uncomfortable it makes me cry.  How do you get through it??  It wouldn't be so bad if I could take care of myself and do the things I need to do to feel better (i.e. nap, rest, distract myself), but I can't do that at work.  It's getting to where I absolutely dread going.

You are aware that you are pregnant and that you'll soon have a kid that will keep you awake, take most of your time, keep you from resting all of the time?

 

I don't wanna say "get used to it" but really, if you think your problems aren't just normal pregnancy issues, see a doctor. If he tells you that it's pregnancy specific, well, ... deal?

 Wow, nice. 

When the baby gets here, things will change.  I know having a newborn will be hard, but I will not have to work (in a business setting where I have to be there from start to finish with no sympathy), I will have a husband and family to help, I will have a darling little baby to love and remind me that it's worth it.  I anticipate being able to EAT again once that happens as well.

Maybe I should have said that the hard part about it is shouldering the burden ALONE for this pregnancy, which is the point that you have really driven home to me.  Thanks for the support.

Hi Huggitbear, ack!  That sounds terrible!

Have you tried coconut oil or some other emollient for the itchiness?

Maybe you can talk to your doctor about the indigestion; it seems that there should be some way to help that. 

Keep on truckin', momma, we at CC are rooting for you!

I hate being pregnant. I hated every torturous minute of it. I got huge, was swollen, had migraines, and worked with A-holes who called me fat and made fun of me. I seriously vowed never to do it again.

As soon as I held my son for the first time, I said "I would do this all again in a heartbeat". I know right now that seems far away and doesn't really help you. All I can say is that it is miserable. B*tch away as you need- the only thing that kept me sane was having friend who had been there comiserate on my misery!

Sorry to hear that you are having a tough time, you're in the right forum and should be able to get some support from other moms and moms-to-be. The only thing to me that might send up a red flag is you not being able to eat, your baby needs those nutrients so you may wnat to see your doc about that. Also I used to sse this pregnant lady with a pillow behind her at work, maybe one of those will help ease some of your discomfort. Sorry to hear your hubby isn't around at the time, is he military?

Pregnancy is tough.  Your body is increasingly uncomfortable and your hormones are shifting constantly.  I totally hear where you are coming from, my last month pregnant was really difficult, I had bad edema and had pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome... I didn't even realize before than this can happen. 

Talk to your doctor about the nausea and inability to eat.  You might want to try snacking on really small things all day long.  With my morning sickness (which thankfully didn't last long at all) I had really dilute smoothies to help me keep down my prenatal vitamins without making me too ill.

When people say that things are only going to get tougher when your newborn arrives - yes and no.  Your hormones are still raging.  You still won't be getting much sleep.  But you should be able to eat again and after the first six weeks or so your body will be feeling more normal. 

You can also prepare a little for when you have the baby.  If you can try to line up friends and family that can help a little with small tasks.  Little things like coming over once a week for an hour or two to let you get a nap while somebody else just holds the baby will help.  My sister used to come by and just "get bored" and fold some laundry... I'm lucky I had family that could take some time to come visit but anybody who offers to help and won't drive you crazy, take them up on it.  Anything helps.

If you find yourself with any in the last trimester think about pre-cooking and freezing meals, buying healthy frozen entrees or nutritious canned foods that you just need to heat up.  Those first three months can be taxing.

The good news is that when it's over it seems (honestly) like a really small price to pay.  My little guy just turned six months and at first I wondered how anybody ever has a second baby but now I know I'd do it over again.

amayou82 is on the right track...try to find something that makes you comfortable.  I used to get an extra chair so I could put my feet up at the office.

You really need to watch your diet.  Find the foods that don't come back to haunt you.  Crackers and popcorn worked great for me.  In a perfect world a balanced diet is what you need, however since you feel so sick, eat whatever food you can tolerate and make sure to take a prenatal vitamin.

I urge you to discuss all of this with your doctor.  Like the others have said, it's very important that you are able to eat.  But you already knew that.  ;) 

I feel for you!  I had a super easy 1st pregnancy.  Then came #2.  My 2nd pregnancy was the most miserable time of my life, and I'm sooo glad that was the last one ever!  I got some sort of virus at 6 weeks and couldn't hold down any food.  I was running to the bathroom every few minutes (and it had nothing to do with the constant pregnancy peeing).  It hurt too bad to move, and I didn't have the energy for it anyway-but I was primary care giver to my then 2 1/2 year old.  Once the virus passed, I had migraines, caught a bad cold, developed a throat infection, had a horrible allergic reaction to the meds for the throat infection-10 days of non-stop itching and insomnia.  

But once my baby was born, things got so much better!  She started sleeping through the night at 4 days old, and I was able to sleep again too.  You're right, it does get easier once other people can help out.  Despite a miserable pregnancy, I was blessed with an easy-going baby, and things were mostly back to normal right away.  But just think, you're more than halfway there.  Three months might sound like a long time, but you've already survived 5.5 months! 

I too hate being pregnant.  However, this is the 3rd time I've hated being pregnant! :)  It's miserable, and it's really hard on your body.  But, I have to agree that if you think you're tired now, wait until you baby is about 3 months old and you haven't slept more than 3 hrs straight oin 7 days.  Then, you will know tired! :)  But, you will find that you wouldn't trade a minute of it and you will actaully miss it when it is gone.  My best advice, nap when you can, suck it up when you can't.

For the eating, try "grazing".  Eat little snacks through out the day instead of trying to have breakfast/lunch/dinner.  I have to eat that way when I am pregnant as I too fee sick all the time.  I have found that that is worse when I get too hungry and then it's really hard to break out of that cycle when eating makes you feel worse.  try things like cheese & crackers, a bowl of cereal & some fruit, ect every couple of hours.  I can't really go more than 2 hours without a little snack or I'm sick.

Hope it helps!!   

I too am 5 1/2 months (23 weeks) I am sick every day although not sick all day long like I was first trimester. Acid reducer helps my stomach and heartburn. I have to eat small quantities at least every hour or I am miserable. I have figured out if I have real food like a few bites of chicken or maybe a little pasta, I feel better. Cereal bars won't cut it. For the last couple of weeks cinnamon gum has really helped with the nausea. Try sucking on suckers also. That helped me for awhile. The Chemo drug for nausea is ok for pregnancy too. Talk to your doc. It does help.

Tylenol PM was ok by doc for this pregnancy and my last. I only take one and I am able to sleep thru the night (of course with bathroom breaks). Without the sleep aid I am up for the day by 2:00 AM. I lotion up a couple of times a day for the itching and I use oil in the morning after my shower...Like others have said this pregnancy thing is MISERABLE, but the prize is worth it in the end. I have 15 weeks 6 days left. Not that I am counting or anything!

Thank you ladies for the suggestions!!  I like the bit about real food.  Yesterday I tried sticking to lighter stuff like fruits and veg, and I did start to feel a lot better.  I need to stay away from carbonation too since that seems to upset me.  the smoothies were a GREAT idea too, I'm going to try that.

Original Post by huggitbear:

I am getting so tired that I feel like I need to be able to lay down and rest, but I can't do it at my job, and sitting here with the stomach discomfort all day is torture.  It's getting harder and harder to make it through my shifts, and I don't know how I can last 3 more months.  The hours just draggggg onnnnnn....

I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because I have to get up and pee or eat or turn over.  I can't get to sleep, I can't stay asleep.  I'm exhausted all the time but can't get any rest.

 

I see people have left lots of opinions on things to eat to help with the stomach issues..and I agree with them!  Now in my fifth month with my second child, while my pregnancies have been relatively easy, it still doesn't make me like pregnancy any more.  I don't like that my body is constantly changing, gaining weight, bloating, and I certainly don't like my attitude.  Don't feel bad for letting your feelings all hang out about this...you are far from alone!

I just wanted to ask, when can you stop working?  The last three months of pregnancy are a lot of work on the body.  Some of the first trimester symptoms come back, such as fatigue.  You must get rest and if you are finding yourself run down now, you may want to consider throwing in the towel (only if it wouldn't harm you financially, of course) before the baby comes.  Take care of yourself, above all else.

I just had one more thought...I haven't had itchiness with this pregnancy (yet) even though I did with my first...but I found Gold Bond powder or lotion to be SO helpful in relieving it.  You may want to give it a shot and see if it helps at all ;-)

Good luck to you!

Sarah