When Other People Don't Understand

The morning (noon, and night) sickness I've been dealing with -- and still am, to greater and lesser degrees, depending on the day -- is a medical condition.

It is extremely frustrating to have other people ask "Have you tried saltines? What about ginger tea?" after you've explained that every home remedy failed. And believe me, I tried everything from ginger to saltines, to a high protein diet, to drinking very cold beverages, to upping my B6 and B12, to sucking on peppermints, to getting enough rest, to eating a snack in the middle of the night, to eating before I even got out of bed.

Nothing worked.

And it is difficult for other people to understand that morning sickness exists on a spectrum. From mild nausea all the way to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Having your overwhelming, debilitating nausea and vomiting labeled as "just morning sickness" or picking up a prescription and having the pharmacist ask "Have you tried ginger?" is insulting. I wish that more medical professionals were better educated about peripartum conditions.

In other news, I'm not showing exactly but I am starting to notice my waist thickening. I have two belly bands, thanks to my mother-in-law. They let me wear my normal pants unbuttoned and/or unzipped. The bands, which are akin to extra stretchy tube tops, are worn folded over the unbuttoned area to hold up your pants. They are a lifesaver. Maternity fashions have come a long way but I didn't really want to have to buy a 2d wardrobe.

I'm looking forward to looking pregnant rather than tubby. At the moment, I just look like I've been having second or third helpings.

I have a regular appointment tomorrow morning. I'll be 12 weeks, 6 days pregnant so the doppler should be able to pick up the heartbeat. At the appointment after that, sometime in mid-November, we'll schedule the 18-20 week ultrasound. It'll either be either immediately before or after Thanksgiving. The later ultrasound will examine the vital organs and check for any congenital defects, and, if the Insider is cooperative, let us know if we're having a boy or girl.