I'm pregnant...

[CrystalJade]

I just found out 4 days ago that I'm pregnant. I think I'm about 7-8 weeks along but it's a complete shock because I'm on birth control. I have the kind where you don't get a period so I test before I plan on any major drinking and this time I came up positive 3+ weeks 3 times. My bachelorette party is this weekend (I'm getting married the Saturday after next) and so we had to change plans because of my unplanned. Haha. Anyway, I stopped my birth control immediately and now I'm on prenatals.

I'm extremely gassy (TMI, I know) and occasionally constipated. Today I have a light ache or cramping but I'm not sure if that's normal or if it's because of my bowel issues. I have morning sickness and tension headaches too. My doctor is on maternity leave so she couldn't get me in until the Thursday before my wedding, so next week. I told them about the birth control and they didn't seem worried. Should I be worried or is everything normal? Should i only panic if i start to bleed?

Oh and I can't fit into my wedding dress any longer because my breasts are getting larger (they are already huge). I'm really upset about that... But my mom is trying to add a corset to the back. I have a back up dress too that I just bought. So I have wedding stress and noe baby stress.

I also work in a bank and have to lift coin bags that can range to up to 50 pounds. Is this okay or should I not lift any if at all possible.

[Lizzie]

Your doctor can order a dating ultrasound to get a better idea of how far along you are and estimate a due date. Dating ultrasounds are fairly accurate when done in the first trimester.

Bowel issues are very common. And the light cramping you feel is your uterus growing. It feels like period cramps and is also very normal. You will feel that probably throughout your pregnancy. And morning sickness and headaches are also very common. I know it's a lot to deal with, but just try to relax as much as possible. Taking breaks and small naps during the day will give your body the break it needs while it's working hard.

Taking birth control while you are pregnant, before you know you are pregnant, doesn't seem to have any side effects. I was in the same boat, I also go pregnant on the pill. But my doctor said there wasn't anything to worry about.

Bleeding isn't necessarily a bad sign. I spotted almost every day from week 7 to week 10. There wasn't a real reason for it to happen, but it did. My doctor says it happens sometimes and they don't know why. But it stopped at ten weeks.

If you have severe bleeding, like you soak through your pad to your underwear, or you have severe pain where you can't move, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

If you are used to lifting fifty pounds there should not be an issue with you continuing to do so. But be sure to listen to your body, if you feel too tired or weak, ask someone to help you.