1 The First Time

I want to start by saying that pregnancy is not as easy as movies, tv shows, or telenovelas make it seem. I had my first baby when I was twenty-six back in 2019. It was a scary experience for me. I wasn't alone, but the situation that brought me to the hospital the day my daughter was born. We'll get to that soon. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I was four days late on my period (it is different for everyone) and I was twenty-five. This was the end of January beginning of February.

My home test came out positive and I was happy, but after it actually hit home that I was pregnant worry set in. I had to buy prenatal (Walmart has them for $9.99, I believe. I recommend the gummies) and find an OBGYN. I didn't even know how to start with that. I was highly inexperienced in this department and way over my head. I decided to head to the only hospital I knew and get information or something. I was directed to a building behind the hospital. There I found someone to help me with insurance and I met my OBGYN doctor whom I absolutely love.

Now, when I think about it, I should have done research before choosing an office to go to (or hospital). No expecting mother should experience horrible service. Thankfully, I got lucky and the people there are super nice.

Where I went to, they do blood pregnancy test to verify that you are pregnant. It isn't that they don't believe you, they just want to double check plus it's procedure. We established my due date (I was 4 weeks pregnant) and made my first appointment. After a few days, I started asking myself, "Am I ready to have a baby?" "How are we gonna do this?" "Money...oh boy". These are normal questions to ask. It is part of being a new parent. I didn't realize how much my life was going to change even before she came along.

I remember my first trimester. I couldn't eat anything. I had to force myself to eat. I had zero appetite. I lost 11lbs. I was nervous that I'd never get to eat and end up losing my baby, but I kept forcing myself to eat even if it was snacking at times and eventually I got my appetite back. I craved citrus. I eat so much pineapple that I got sick and never wanted it again, but then I started craving Chipotle. This time I tried to take it easy.

I worked at a food industry. I was working at a cafeteria in a company that sells purses, blankets, baby bags, and other neat things (very expensive). I had free breakfast and lunch, so I took that chance to eat what I needed. I don't really remember what I ate to keep myself healthy. I was on my second trimester and I wasn't showing much (if any). I had a small bump, but anyone would have thought I was three months pregnant not five. Unfortunately, I would end up leaving the job for reasons being that I don't like being looked down for being in the food service. I would get snarky customers and normally I just rolled with it, you know. Don't say anything rude or snippy. Unfortunately, hormones are a thing and it was making it hard to not say anything. I was rude back and gave them snarky replies to their snarky attitude.

It was becoming a toxic environment for me. I was at the point where I didn't care if I got in trouble and I loved my new boss. She was awesome, so I took the decision to leave before it got worse and I didn't want to put her in a hard position either. Toxic environments are not healthy and I suggest leaving (after finding a new job if at all possible).

I will admit I had an easy pregnancy. There are women out there who have harder pregnancies. I am just trying to share my experience during my first pregnancy and my current one. I want women to know that they are not alone. I want this to also help husbands or wives understand what their partner is going through. I bought a pregnancy book, but I felt like it just didn't do much for actual experience and I am hoping this will help individuals one way or another.