My Little Fruit

So I am supposedly most of the way through my 8th week now. I made the appointment yesterday for my first ultrasound, which I am incredibly excited for! I can't wait to find out just how far along I ACTUALLY am and to see that everything is developing as it should. Unfortunately, it’s not until January 9th—which I feel is such a long time to wait!! But, then again, patience has never really been one of my main virtues…
I have read that the embryo is now about the size of a raspberry (why do they always relate it to the size of a fruit?)  Last week the baby had begun forming the small knobs that would develop into its arms and legs and ears. This week, it has begun to develop webbed hands and feet, and its tiny fingers and toes are beginning to differentiate. Also, its little heart have now formed! I had hoped that I’d be able to buy a stethoscope and listen to the heartbeat myself, but I guess you won’t be able to hear that for quite a while yet.
While I know it is still very early into my pregnancy, so these symptoms might still develop, I have not experienced any morning sickness. I’ve had moments of nausea, but nothing severe. They are easily remedied with some peppermint and/or ginger tea and capsules. I have, however, begun to feel FAR more lethargic. In part this is because I have been fighting off a nasty cold. But, I also know that it’s because my body needs so much more energy now; I am growing a life, after all, and it takes a lot of juice!
Sleeping in late is something I really struggle with, but I’ve been forcing myself to concede. I work evenings, so going to bed early isn’t really an option for my lifestyle unfortunately. But I’ve been making sure I get at least 10 hours. I was told my by midwife that women in their first trimester, on average, get about 12 hours of sleep. But, honestly, I’d have no time to LIVE if I did that! So, for now, I’m settling for 10 hours and, if need be, I’ll take naps.
My exercise routine has certainly suffered as of late due to the cold and the decreased energy levels. But I try to do what I can, when I can, and not kick myself about the times that I’m not up for it. We need to be kind to ourselves in the coming months and accept the things we cannot change.
I always knew that my exercise would need adjusting as I progressed further into pregnancy, so that’s why I am glad that I hit it into overdrive when I had the energy!
My uterus has grown to the size of a small grapefruit (again with the fruit analogies!) and, as such, I have found that my pants are becoming increasingly tighter. My midwife suggested that instead of buying a bigger size pair of pants, that I try these elastic belly bands instead. They go around the waistband of your pants and hold them in place so that you don’t have to fasten any buttons or zippers. I was skeptical at first, but they actually work great and are quite comfortable! I highly recommend! And, especially since I know maternity pants are not so far off in the horizon, it makes sense to save my money now and not buy more pants that I know I will soon grow out of.
So, ladies, that’s what my 8th week has been like, for the most part. I found that my 7th and 8th weeks were pretty similar, though markedly different from my 6th. What was yours like? Please feel free to share in the comment section below or with my contact form on the separate page.