Pregnancy Questions

I am a labor doula and I can tell you from my clients and also from my own pregnancies that every one is different. With my first two, I did not get sick at all, or feel sick and did not get the sore breasts till about the 10th week. With my last child who is now 3, it was right away and when I found out about him, I was about 5 weeks also. Try to reassure her, and if she would like to talk to me, let me know, and I can give you my contact info or she can contact me through my website listed below.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

I didn't get sick until 6 wks if that helps. The drs say that normally those tests aren't wrong. Tell her to go to the dr.

I would tell her not to worry and to make a doc appt.
When I got pregnant the first time I had a miscarriage and when I got pregnant the second time we now have a healthy baby boy and both times, I felt exactly the same. On the second pregnancy, I didn't have sore breasts until further along and I didn't get morning sickness until about 8-9 weeks and then it lasted until 22 weeks. I was tired later on in the pregnancy. So everything could be just fine with her. Tell her just go to the doctor and tell them her concerns.

Good luck I know how it feels to be worried about that.

I have been pregnant 7 times (3 living children and 4 angels) and can tell you that each pregnancy was different from start to end. Whether it was dry heaves and tiredness immediatley with my first one or to my sore boobs and adverse reaction to any sort of smell with 2 of my miscarriages. I didn't always feel pregnant from the begining. With my 2nd son I didn't have many pregnancy symptoms throughout (well until preterm labor hit!) until the end. It would be a good idea for her to see the doctor and start on vitamins and have her levels checked. That could put her at ease too!

N.,
I have 2 daughters and on both pregnancies I didn't have any swollen breasts, I was really tired on my second pregnancy, and I didn't have a lot of morning sickness.
I noticed that my two pregnancies were completly different. I think that your friend need to see her doctor, and why not, start reading what to expect when your expecting, this may help her.
C.

Tell her every pregnancy is different...With my second, I was SURE I was NOT prego, had no signs (but tiredness looking back) and VOILA! Had a beautiful baby boy...Tell her worrying will do absolutely nothing for the health of the pregnancy...Good luck!

I am 23 weeks along with twins and I have an 18mth old daughter. My first pregnancy I was tired, sore breasts, and had nausea.....this time, even with twins, nothing! I had no major problems the first 16-18 weeks.!No nausea, not tired, no sore breasts......now I am starting to get heartburn and I am tired all the time. The first few months I would have never have known we were expecting had I not taken 10 hometests....I didn't even know it was twins until we had an u/s at 12 weeks for the BUN testing.....both of my pregnancy's have been very different. Have your friend go to her ob/gyn at 6-8 weeks, the can do the pg test and do an u/s to check for a heartbeat...that could put her at ease.

Good Luck,

Jen

PS: my girlfriend thought she lucked out on her 2nd one and got bad morning sickness around 10 weeks that lasted until the very end.....

Hi N.,
Tell your friend not to worry. I just had my first baby 5 weeks ago and for the longest time I did not "feel" pregnant. If I hadnt seen the actual ultrasound with the baby I would have never guessed that I was pregnant. No sickness, tender breasts nothing other than having to go to the bathroom more but again that happened later I think after 5 weeks. I didn't even really start showing until after 5 months.
C.

Hi. At only five weeks it more common that she wouldn't feel a thing! I never felt anything until about 7 weeks. And even then, I had a VERY easy pregnancy. No morning sickness, nausea, cravings...nothing! I was really tired and that was basically my only symptom. I didn't even know I was pregnant!

I do know that each pregnancy is unique...even for the same mother. I have a friend who had two very different pregnanies and both of her children were just fine. Just because she doesn't have "classic" symptoms doesn't mean it's a bad thing. She probably hasn't even been to the doctor yet at five weeks? Once she goes and hears the heart beat for the first time maybe she'll feel a little more re-assured.

I would just be supportive - in my third pregnacy I didn't feel right about it. I was constantly afraid something was not quite right and I was never at ease - even though everything was progressing as planned and seemed to be ok. I confided in a good friend the scary thoughts about possibly having a miscarriage and she - said I was being nuts and that I should just calm down and yada yada ya -- I tried that and -- I did eventually lose my child - her heart just stopped beating one day. It was very sad -- I would support your friend as best you can and encourage her to go to see a doctor if she is concerned something is not quite right... Good Luck and I will pray for you and her.

Every pregnancy is different. She should count her blessings that she feels this great... and most importantly to stop stressing or something bad might happen! She should call her ob/gyn to make her appt (typically not until 8-10 weeks) and just make sure to eat well/etc. Additional symptoms will come later...maybe... :)

You are absolutely right that every pregnancy is different, but if she's worried, she should see the doctor and not just rely on the home tests. With my kids, I had a little nausea, but never got sick. Does she feel like she has any menstral symptoms? These are also symptoms of pregnancy. I would tell her, if it makes her feel better, safer, etc...take it easy for a few days. But, if it's meant to be, it will be. good luck. You sound like a good friend, R.

I had no signs of pregnancy with my first child until I was well into my 3rd month. I didn't even know I was pregnant until my second month. I had no morning sickness, no breast soreness, no nothing. As a matter of fact, I felt better pregnant than not pregnant up until my 7th month. I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant and my only symptom is a little cramping in my abdominal area. Hope this helps.

I was the same way with my second and third pregnancy. My first I had very sore breasts, but not at all with the next two. I even asked my doctor about it and she said to consider myself lucky. I never had much morning sickness, but I don't think that really kicks in until 7-10 weeks. I think not having many symptoms with your second pregnancy is pretty common, maybe your body already knows what's going on. Tell her not to worry and get into her doctor to confirm it for her.

Every pregnancy is different! If's she's freaking out so much tell her to see a doctor and get all her questions answered.

Hi N.,

I understand that you want to reassure her but the best thing for her to do is go to the doctor and talk with them about it.

They are each different, and after the first pregnancy she may not experience the nausea and vomiting, so there is absolutely no reason to panic. She should rest and make sure she is getting enough folic acid, preferable by natural sources like apricots and spinach, but an organic prenatal is wonderful insurance. Encourage her to eat yogurt or take acidopholis supplements. She may be having less nausea because her body is in wonderful balance right now, not because she is having problems. I have heard doctors say that nausea and vomiting means a strong pregnancy, but I don't buy that. My "strong pregnancies" often resulted in minor issues like vision problems, orthopedic issues, allergies, etc. The ones with little symptoms were a Godsend.

Dear N.,

I think you did the right thing in telling her that every pregnancy is different. With my son (1st)pregnancy, I knew before the test was positive. With my daughter(2nd) I didn't know until I went for my anual check up. I was only tired and come to find out I was 2 months along. So I would go to your co-worker and ask her if she has the internet and if she does offer mama source to her. The second one is I would advise her to see her Dr. But keep telling her that all pregnancies are different. I hope this helps and I hope she can understand.
Tell her Congratulations!
B.

I was in her situation, I had a couple of miscarriages before my daughter and when I finally got pregnant I had no signs. My Breasts weren't swollen or sore, no sickness no nothing.. My pregnany was perfect, my levels were going up and the doctor said not to worry, that alot of pregnant women would love to be in your situation. Best of luck
J.

Statistically, I think most women don't know they are pregnant until they realize they are late. Even after that, the symptoms may not kick in for weeks. Every pregnancy is different, tell her not to freak out. No sense worrying about things you have no control over....I know easier said than done. Good luck to her.

Encourage her to see an OB/GYN or CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) ESPECIALLY if she feels that something is wrong, and to let her provider know that she feels this way. You are right, though, every pregnancy is different. Maybe she has emotional issues this go 'round that she did not have before. Encourage her to seek counseling if she continues feeling this way after being told physically that all is well, and/or to get a second medical opinion.
I have heard that you can have a false positive test, but I am not certain what would cause this. I would suggest, again, that she have a checkup as soon as possible.
The best thing you can do is be a friend. Often just listening means more than whatever words you say.
:)
Take care,
A.

When I was pregnant with my son I knew right away that something was up - I had the breast swelling/tenderness, but no other signs. No mood swings, no tiredness, no nausea, nothing. I have talked to several moms who were sick as a dog with pregnancy #1 and had nothing with #2.

Either way, your coworker can't *do* anything about it, so she might as well stop worrying and just take good care of herself.