The first trimester is such a crazy time of pregnancy there are so many changes that happen so quickly and sometimes unexpectedly.
Being pregnant is exciting and terrifying at the same time. There so many things happening in such a short amount of time. It’s amazing to think that in just 40 short weeks a baby is formed.
Not only are there are so many changes that happen in creating a baby but your body goes through some major changes in a relatively short amount of time.
I know there is a lot of advice out there about pregnancy, but I wanted to share a few things I learned that helped me get through the first trimester of my pregnancies.
Side note, each pregnancy is totally different!! So what worked the first time might not work for the next pregnancy. So don’t write any idea off until you have tried it.
For each of my pregnancies, the first trimester was the hardest for me. During my first pregnancy, I figured out a few things that made the first trimester with my second baby so much easier.
First Trimester Tips
I have been lucky with both of my pregnancies that I haven’t had complications.
My pregnancies typically involve a little bit of morning sickness, migraines, and this last time a lot of leg cramps (but that wasn’t in the first trimester!). Now delivery is another story for me but enough of that let’s talk the First Trimester.
Related Post:What I Wish I Knew Before My First C-Section
These tips I share below can help at any point during your pregnancy, not just the first trimester. I’m not a medical professional, nor do I pretend to be one, all of these tips are from my experience.
1. Stay Hydrated
Soon after I found out I was pregnant with our first child I started getting really bad migraines and nausea. I had never had a migraine before and it was no fun to have one because of pregnancy.
One Sunday I spent the whole day in bed with a migraine. I couldn’t stand to look at the light or move so I stayed in the dark bedroom all day.
Soon after this, I found that if I was drinking enough water I didn’t get migraines. (This might not be true for everyone, but it worked for me)
So I started drinking a ton of water and juices. I was going to stay hydrated if it killed me.
With pregnancy number two, I didn’t have any migraines and I credit it to the fact that I was more hydrated this time around. Having a girl instead of a boy might have been a factor as well.
Even if staying hydrated doesn’t get rid of the migraines it will definitely benefit both you and the baby to be in the habit of drinking plenty of water.
2. Ginger Really is Great
I found that Ginger anything helped a ton with mild nausea. Ginger Ale can be found in almost any grocery store and it really does the trick.
Something else that is healthier and works great is candied Ginger that you can find at a health food store. Another option that is nice to have is Ginger Altoids.
3. Sleep
I was so tired during the first trimester. I hated it! I felt like I was so lazy because I didn’t have the energy to do anything. At first, I tried to fight it I would get up early still tired, I wouldn’t take a nap and so by about 5′ clock I was dead tired.
I learned that by letting myself sleep a few more minutes in the morning and making sure I went to bed at a decent time at night it made a big difference.
Also, if it works into your day taking a quick 20-minute nap can totally help you stay awake in the evening. I also found that after the first 8ish weeks I slowly (Very Slowly) got so I was feeling less tired.
My first pregnancy I slowly got my energy back, but with my 2nd I still felt tired for most of the 40 weeks and now with my third I’m starting to wonder what sleep is (haha just kidding, but somedays are rough).
Even though I still feel tired I the exhaustion didn’t last the whole pregnancy.
4. Eat First Thing
My husband laughs at this, but I got to the point that the minute I woke up I was ready to eat. I found that by eating right after I got up I felt better all day.
Some mornings I could shower before eating (I found it depended on what time I had eaten the night before) but most of the time I had to eat before I did anything else.
Now after either being pregnant or breastfeeding for over 3 continuous years I’m in the habit of eating first thing in the morning. If I don’t eat about an hour into my day I start to feel it.
Related Post: My Disappointment After Giving Birth - Wasn't My C-Section
5. Eat Often
I also found that by not letting myself get hungry (eating smaller amounts frequently) I didn’t feel sick and I had a lot more energy.
Some of my favorite things to eat throughout the day are fresh fruits and veggies. They taste great, keep me from filling sick and are full of vitamins and nutrients.
6. Learn to Relax
Personally, I have a hard time relaxing (probably why I decided to take a hypnobabies class) so taking a bath or shower (when the hubby is home) really helped me slow down and take a few minutes for myself.
Depending on how many kids you have and your interests how you relax will look different. It could be read a book or watch a show on Netflix. Just find time to relax now and after the baby is born.
I hope these things that I found useful during my pregnancies help you make it through the first trimester. I know for me a lot of it was trial and error.
Wondering what you should be doing during the First Trimester? Check out this post for ideas of things you should do during this stage of pregnancy.
Let me know what has worked for you in the comments.
Such good ideas! Eating a few crackers before I got out of bed helped me so much with nausea!!
Thanks. Eating first thing in the morning is a lifesaver!
LOVE this! Great tips! <3
Thanks
DEFINITELY yes to the water girl! Yes!
I drank so much ginger ale when I was pregnant! Maybe I was making up for missing out on Moscow Mules? Snacking for sure was helpful as well.