Mar 13 2008
An affront to the olfactories
I couldn’t believe it when several people told me that the worst stench in the world to a pregnant nose is the scent of cooking rice. However, the past week has proved this assertion to be utterly and painfully true. But then again, it seems that everything smells offensive to me lately and nausea is my constant companion.
Yesterday marked the end of the first trimester. A milestone, in my opinion. If I could eat, I would celebrate with a big, fat okonomiyaki with all the trimmings (okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, ao nori, and generous sprinklings of bonito… ohh…). But, alas, everything is an affront to my bionic olfactory system and, even more troubling, my gag reflex is in hyperdrive. Another interesting development is that I can simply think of something distasteful and I’ll start gagging. Oh, and let’s not even talk about bathroom smells…
Sure, you may think that this is just a continuation of my previous battle with “all day sickness,” but this past week, my symptoms have intensified. For those who believe that the intensity of morning sickness is a good indication of the health of the baby, by golly, that little tyke must be kicking butt and taking names in there.
This afternoon, while a pot of rice was cooking in the kitchen, I caught a whiff and nearly lost my lunch. Just now, Tobi the Japanese Spitz walked in and huffed-huffed his hot doggie breath on me and I gagged like there was no tomorrow. He high-tailed it out of the room, undoubtedly offended by my adverse reaction to his affections.
The good news is that I have been off the estrogen patches and progesterone injections since yesterday. Oh, I can’t tell you how good it feels not to be a human pincushion anymore!
I had been weaning off the patches and shots since last week, which is about the same time as when the morning sickness intensified. It makes me wonder if my body is kicking in and taking over with its own progesterone supply, causing this sudden change?
Whatever the case, I hope my body can adjust quickly and give me some relief from the morning sickness. Being on the verge of vomit all the time really sucks after a while.
By the way, I am totally loving the comments you are all leaving for me. They are so encouraging and I always enjoy reading them. Thank you! I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to respond back. Since I’ve been feeling so crappy lately, I’ve been staying off of the computer and opting to lounge on the bed. But, rest assured, I do read every comment and appreciate each one. 
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
Yay, no shots! The nice thing about pregnancy and morning sickness is that you know that there is an end in sight. It will get better! I have 4 kids because of maternal amnesia.
What seems awful during the pregnancy and delivery will seem like nothing at all when you have Snowflake in your arms. Honest kine! You hang in there and rest as much as you can.
[...] are contributing to the world&39s unsustainable population growth, a World Health …www.news.com.auAn affront to the olfactories I couldn??t believe it when several people told me that the worst stench in the world to a pregnant [...]
Congratulations on passing your first trimester!
I can’t talk much about the morning sickness as I was lucky enough to avoid it. I didn’t have an appetite but I was not turned off by the smells. I was worried because I did not have the traditional morning sickness. My SIL was pregnant at the same as I was and she was sick all the time. I used to be worried because I wasn’t like her. But I guess everyone experiences pregnancy differently. Hopefully this will pass soon, and you can go back eating all that delicious food!
congratulations on reaching the 2nd trimester and getting off the patches and shots! hopefully there’s less worry now that you passed the milestone. and i really really hope the intensity of your sickness subsides soon. hang in there!
So glad to hear you’re in 2nd trimester! Yay!!!
I’ve always heard about the bionic sense of smell - oh boy! Hope it will get back to normal soon!