Throughout my entire pregnancy, I battled persistent nausea.
It all began during a trip to Las Vegas, which my partner had organized before we knew I was expecting. I had been committed to a rigorous workout routine, hitting the gym four to five times weekly. While my partner attended a conference, I had planned a hike at Red Rock Canyon. But a visit to the doctor changed everything.
When I expressed my disappointment at having to cancel the hike, she asked if I had started experiencing morning sickness yet. I hadn’t, and she implied that once it hit, I might lose interest in outdoor activities. I shrugged it off, feeling perfectly fine at that moment.
We arrived in Las Vegas, excited and stocked up with goodies from Trader Joe’s—avocados, cheese, and bread for sandwiches. March in sunny Nevada felt perfect. However, on our first full day, everything changed. With hiking off the table, I opted for shopping instead. Just 30 minutes into it, I felt weak, exhausted, and nauseous. I returned to the hotel for a cheese and avocado sandwich, but the nausea persisted. Even later, when I shared another sandwich with my partner, it didn’t help.
The hotel breakfasts and food from the Strip were utterly unappetizing; everything tasted strange. To add to my misery, our return flight was plagued by the worst turbulence I had ever experienced. I gripped a barf bag, convinced I would lose my lunch mid-air, but somehow I managed to hold it together. Once we landed, I swore off avocados and anything else that reminded me of the Vegas trip.
The nausea that began in Las Vegas never really left me until after the baby was born. My relationship with food became a daily torment. I had heard of morning sickness, but I only knew what I’d seen on TV—typically, a woman would throw up once and then feel fine. I was shocked to discover that it could last all day, every day, and that it didn’t strictly occur in the morning.
Nothing prepared me for the relentless cycle of nausea that plagued me around the clock. If I felt sick, I’d eat to settle my stomach, only to end up feeling worse. I constantly battled a bad taste in my mouth, forcing me to suck on candy or sip drinks just for brief relief. Even when I didn’t eat, I experienced an unending burning sensation.
I tried everything—ginger tea, pregnancy lollipops, crackers, and even pressure point bracelets to alleviate my symptoms. Nothing worked. I would indulge in foods I loved, like pizza, seeking a moment of enjoyment. But as soon as I ate, the taste would turn cruel, transforming into stomachaches. It wasn’t just one type of discomfort; I could experience multiple stomach issues at once—heartburn, nausea, gas, and bloating all conspired against me. I would burp incessantly, and throughout most days, I felt on the brink of vomiting, yet I didn’t.
There was one day when I finally did throw up. I was getting ready for work when I gagged due to post-nasal drip from a cold I had during my first trimester. My stomach flipped, and I leaned over the toilet, releasing the bile that had been tormenting me. I cried in despair over the toilet bowl, feeling utterly defeated. My partner heard me and came to my side, sitting on the bathroom floor, comforting me as I cried. He reminded me that everything would be okay. While food had betrayed me, his support never wavered.
Food had become a source of distress when it should have been a comfort. Pregnant women are often limited in what they can consume—no alcohol, no caffeine, and more. I just wanted to enjoy my meals.
The Reality of Morning Sickness
For those who are pregnant for the first time or hoping to be, I want to share the raw truth about morning sickness. It’s not pretty, and it doesn’t always end in the first trimester, as many resources suggest. However, it is temporary. Though it may feel like an eternity, after just 24 hours post-delivery, I was able to enjoy food again—though it took me months to eat an avocado without a wave of nausea.
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. And if you’re curious about alleviating morning sickness, you can find more detailed information here.
Conclusion
In summary, my pregnancy was marked by constant nausea that began abruptly and lasted throughout. Despite the trials of morning sickness, the experience was temporary, and with support, I found relief after my baby arrived.