How to Survive the First Trimester: Top 5 Tips
First off mama, Congratulations! Learning how to survive the first trimester is one of your first tasks as a mama-to-be. This next season in your life is going to be full of changes, emotions, and a never-ending to-do list. Crackers and drinking ginger ale is all you need though, right? Wrong! There is much more you can do to get you through this chapter with grace, joy, and even feeling good.
When you see the first or tenth positive pregnancy test, because you just don’t believe your eyes, you are giddy with excitement and wondering who you will tell first and how. Maybe you took the test because you weren’t feeling yourself and were simply curious. Here are some tips to survive that first trimester like a champ without giving it away if you aren’t ready to spill the beans yet.
1. Stay Hydrated
Make sure you are drinking lots of water during this time. It goes without saying, it’s important for you and the baby. But more importantly, staying on top of your water consumption helps your energy when you are feeling run down. It’s hard not to reach for the extra coffee or soda, especially when you are so tired, but try to steer clear! Caffeine will cause more dehydration and in turn, create a vicious cycle of feeling more exhausted. Water is also important in producing the amniotic fluid for your little one. Add lemon, lime, or other healthy flavor combinations to change up the flavor if you need to. It’s always best to discuss with your doctor the right amount of fluid intake for you and your pregnancy. Just make sure your urine stays a clear light yellow color.
2. Extra Rest
I know this one seems hard because you still have life happening around you. It’s okay to say no to things because you simply are not up for it. Make sure you are taking extra care of yourself in these early days because the fatigue can feel more exhausting than you can imagine and it will make the most simple things harder. Have faith, this will get better after your first trimester. Take this time to chill and don’t push yourself if you just cannot handle the thought of heading out after a long day at work. Give yourself permission to stay in your jammies with your favorite book or binge-watching show.
3. Have a Snack
Smaller more frequent meals help! Make sure to nibble on something throughout the day to curb any nausea. When you are feeling sick to your stomach it can be difficult to eat much, which then makes you feel worse. Keeping whole food snacks easy to grab is the perfect way to always be prepared. Nuts or crackers on your nightstand first thing in the morning or in your bag help to keep something in your stomach to reduce the sick feeling.
4. Exercise
This one can be difficult for some ladies because you are battling extreme fatigue and nausea. Check-in with yourself often and don’t push yourself as you used to if you cannot manage it. However, by keeping up with your exercise routine you will help your energy levels and your mood. Adjust your workouts as needed, either what you are doing or the intensity, so that it feels good for you. Just show up. Make sure you also check with your healthcare professional about what is safe or any restrictions they may have for you based on your medical history.
5. Eat Whole Foods
This may seem silly to some, everyone eats whole foods. Except when you get pregnant you sometimes shift to survival mode. When I was pregnant with my son, I was so sick I could not eat meat. Or really much of anything. I could manage cheese pizza and frozen waffles. Not the best diet in the world and I felt it. I was constantly searching for food to try and help manage nausea and to not make me feel worse. It took me a bit to find my grove and it wasn’t until I was well into the second trimester that I was able to actually eat regular meals again. However, since that time I have learned more about nutrition during pregnancy and beyond as well as the role food plays in managing all the symptoms that come with pregnancy.
Bonus First Trimester Tip
Make sure you look for a medical provider if you do not already have one. Check with your insurance company for any restrictions they may have on your plan, such as delivery location or providers. Midwives typically want to see you towards the end of the first trimester around 10-12 weeks while OBGYNs typically want to see you around 8-10 weeks. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions from your provider. You want to make sure you trust them and are comfortable with them. They will be caring for you during this season and be there in the delivery room.
It all boils down to this: take care of yourself! When you are fueling yourself properly and resting up, you will feel good. It can be difficult if you are struggling with morning sickness and utter exhaustion but you will get through this! Having a good support system will also make this part of your pregnancy easier, especially if you don’t have to worry about all the day to day tasks when you are not feeling your best.
I also highly encourage you to grab a journal. Write out your feelings, both emotions, and physical, to look back on later. You really will forget a lot from this time, soak it up, mama!
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