Today marks the start of my first ever blog! This is something I have never done before.

As a 26 year old female who is embarking on her first pregnancy; going in to the unknown and having lots of questions and concerns I wanted to share my story in the hope it will help and support others.

A little about me without giving away my identity, just yet.

I am 26 years old, living with my partner in a little market town in Nottinghamshire. I moved here 4 years ago when we bought a beautiful house together. Giving up my village life where my family have been based for over 100 years. I am a manager within a medium sized company in the distribution sector and have worked there since finishing uni 5 years ago – I love my job and that is no secret!

My partner is 38 years old, hardworking and a Type 1 diabetic. He is a keen runner, cyclist and gardener! We have a well looked after veg patch which serves us through the summer with amazing fruit and veg. He has no idea I have decided to do this!

Enough about us… its time to get down to business…pregnancy!

I am now 9 weeks+2 and have my first midwife appointment today at 1pm. There is very little information at this point as to what the appointment entails… so I am basing my expectations on a good old google search…family history, last period, and being given a pack of information.

I have been very surprised at the lack of interaction with the health care system at the beginning of your pregnancy. You do not get anything until between 8-10 weeks when you have your first appointment. This disappointed me somewhat due to the fact I had a miscarriage 3 years ago and was seeking some reassurance and support.  However, we have stayed positive and tried not to dwell on what has been even though it sits in the back of your mind.

Discussing medical history today is a big thing for me with my partner being Type 1. We are anxious as to if this will be inherited by our baby. All the websites inform you of the chances but they all tell you different figures, leaving you no more the wiser! With it being the father with type 1 there is a higher risk than if it was myself, which did surprise us as it is the mother who carries for 9 months! I’m very interested to hear what the midwife has to stay and if they have any experience of this. I will let you know once I am back!

The other thing to mention in this first blog is some of the pregnancy symptoms I have already experienced at this early stage. One element which has shocked me is how tired you are…I thought this happened in the final trimester when you are carrying around an extra person the size of a watermelon! I have been absolutely exhausted… coming home and crashing out on my sofa for half an hour, an hour before I can get on with cooking dinner etc. There are good days and bad days. Weekend before last I went out to celebrate a friends birthday… obviously didn’t drink… got in at 3am… woke up Sunday morning feeling like I had downed a bottle of vodka…I was done for the day, just slept!

Morning sickness…which is the most incorrectly named symptom of pregnancy… you DO NOT get sick only in a morning!! Fortunately so far I have not been physically sick…yet! However, there have been days when I have constantly felt sick…head over toilet thinking I was about to spew…which isn’t pleasant when you are at work! This has meant I have struggled to eat very much on these days…which my partner has seen as a huge concern and has been panicking. He definitely needs to do some research as he doesn’t understand that these are normal side affects of being pregnant. The internet is helpful in this area and some advice which I can definitely pass on:

• Eat when you feel you can..whatever time of day it is
• Plain food is the way forward… toast, rich tea and yoghurt have been my saviours!
• If you have chance for a nap…take it.

Today is a better day and hoping I will be able to stomach some wholesome food today. Lets see what the appointment brings!