My First 12 Weeks of Pregnancy: From Testing to the 12-Week Scan

Hellooo Holiday Tots families (and hopefully beyond 😊)!
I’ve got some exciting news… I’m pregnant! Ahhh! As you can imagine, when you first find out, a flood of emotions hit you all at once. It’s an absolute whirlwind, right? So, I wanted to share my first 12 weeks, from the highs to the lows (from what I can remember anyway), in case you’re going through the same rollercoaster ride.

I’m actually 20 weeks now, and as I type this, I can feel little butterflies moving—my little chum is saying hello 🦋.

So, here goes!

The moment I found out… was honestly so surreal. Two days before I took the test, my best friend called to share her pregnancy news, So EXCITING and I was so happy for her. That got me thinking, so the next day, I decided to take a test. At first, I didn’t see a line, but then… BAM—positive, can you believe it?! I ran downstairs, excited but also completely shocked, and Luke was like, “What does this mean?” I had to spell it out—‘We’re pregnant!’

We were both so surprised! It’s something we’d both really wanted, but at that moment, it just felt overwhelming. I mean, what do you even do with that information?! It’s such a massive change, and I don’t think either of us knew exactly how to process it right away. And, of all days to find out… I had the Baby Show to attend for work! Normally, it’s such an exciting event where I meet new people and brands, but that day I was a bit in shock, trying to figure out how to approach everyone! I only lasted about 20 minutes before I had to leave and head to Luke’s office, who, funnily enough, was feeling just as shocked as I was. But then, when we went for dinner that night, something just clicked, and all of a sudden, we both felt this rush of excitement. We were over the moon and couldn’t stop grinning at each other. It was like everything fell into place!

During those first weeks, the Flo app was my go-to! I loved getting weekly updates about the baby, and it helped me feel more in control of the unknowns. I also checked in with my GP and had my first midwife appointment. It all felt so official and a little daunting, but reassuring.

Those early days were delicate. I felt hyper-aware of everything in my body, and some days felt a bit fragile. But after a few weeks, things started to settle.

I also had moments of anxiety and doubt, wondering if everything was okay, but Luke was so supportive. A quick chat with my mum, who’s a pro at this, helped calm me down.

I was very aware of every little symptom—like the dreaded morning sickness (which, let’s be honest, is not just in the morning!). I went off tea and even water at some points! Luckily, ginger biscuits and bananas became my go-to snacks for keeping nausea at bay.

Sometimes I wouldn’t feel anything at all going on, and it would get me thinking, like “Am I pregnant or have I made this up!?” Should I do another test? But soon, something would happen and make me realise I was just overthinking and getting in my head!

I definitely felt incredibly tired during those first 12 weeks, and as someone who’s usually pretty active, I was surprised by how much it slowed me down. I just listened to my body and did what felt right for me. There were a couple of days when I felt like I could fall asleep anywhere—at my desk included! I even napped on my lunch breaks when I was working from home (I never thought I’d be that person, but here I am, haha). I also can get migraines, so when I felt one coming on, I would take a little lie down and rest.

I did find it really difficult not telling people. There was something about keeping it a secret that felt so tough, even though I’m not really sure why. I chose to tell my closest family and friends early on for support. For me, it felt reassuring, and I’m so glad I did, but everyone is different, and I completely understand why someone wouldn’t want to tell anyone.

That 12-week scan, though, felt like a massive weight had lifted off my shoulders. Maybe it was knowing that the baby was okay, actually in there, and I hadn’t just been imagining things! Being able to tell everyone felt like such a blessing, especially as it was the lead-up to Christmas, which made it even more exciting—like a little Christmas pressie!

Now, the 12-week scan… that was magical. Seeing our baby for the first time on the screen, bouncing around, felt like the moment it all became real. They tell you to drink lots of water but of course, I drank too much beforehand and had to step out halfway through—oops! But when we finally saw the scan, it was amazing. I knew right then and there that this little one was definitely a mini us! And Luke’s excitement was so pure, he ended up giving the midwife a hug! 😅

Since then, I’ve felt so much better—more energy, less nausea, and the first little kicks! It’s been a journey, which I can honestly say I’m really enjoying! Feeling blessed, honestly.

I wanted to share my 12-week journey because, honestly, not everyone talks about it. It’s such a delicate and sometimes overwhelming time, and I thought by sharing my experience, it might help anyone going through the same thing feel a little less alone. It’s okay to feel all sorts of emotions, and there’s a whole community here that gets it. 😊

Every pregnancy is different, but if you’re on a similar journey, you’re definitely not alone—there’s a whole community out here feeling the same highs and lows.

So, how did your first trimester go? Drop me a message, I’d love to hear about it!

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