The first trimester of pregnancy can be tough. In fact some moms say it’s the roughest trimester of them all. If you’re in the first trimester and you’re feeling miserable, I feel your pain. I want to share some ways to feel better during the first trimester so you can navigate all these changes a little better!
Coping With The First Trimester
You can expect a lot of changes during your pregnancy. While a lot of these changes might not happen on the outside, there is definitely a lot happening going on with your body. You can expect that some of these changes bring some discomfort.
The next few months can bring fatigue, aches and pains, nausea and even headaches. Here are some first semester must haves and coping strategies that will help you make it through this time.
How To Survive the First Trimester
Stay active or continue to exercise
Before I found out I was pregnant, I was an avid runner. I ran 3 to 4 times per week for 3 miles or longer. Exercise helped me when my energy felt low. It may seem counterproductive, but it really works to exercise for energy boosting benefits. When running began to feel uncomfortable, I transitioned to walking throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.
You can do low impact exercise, use workout apps or even YouTube videos to do at home.
Switch to Comfortable Bras and Undergarments
One of the first early pregnancy symptoms I had was sore breasts. You might want to switch out traditional, structured bras for softer bras with no underwires. The thing about wearing maternity or nursing bras is that even if you buy and wear them now, they will still be useful later.
Maternity underwear are designed to be supportive and comfortable for your growing belly and body changes. Don’t worry about them being frumpy, they come so many nice styles now!
Related: The Real Truth About Maternity Underwear
Morning Sickness Remedies
Lots of women experience morning sickness during their first trimester. It’s not just limited to the morning as the name would imply. It can be more of an all day ordeal and you can be left thinking, “ I hate morning sickness!”
Fortunately, there are a lot of remedies for morning sickness and nausea. Some moms swear by the following products:
Pink Stork Morning Sickness Tea
Sea-Band Mama! Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband
Get Some Rest
Fatigue can be real and take a toll on you during the first trimester. Don’t fight the urge to sleep and rest because your body needs it. If you have other children or work and school obligations, find sneaky ways to rest. Take quick cat naps when you other children sleep or sleep on your lunch break.
Related: 18 Amazingly Easy Pregnancy Sleep Solutions
It’s also okay to take a break on tasks that can be put off for a little later. They aren’t going anywhere! Don’t be afraid to ask for help with household chores.
Keep A Diary
If you’re wondering whats going on with your baby and your body, its normal. But if those thoughts are anxious and you need to let off some steam, try writing down how you feel. You can write down your questions and concerns. Thats also very helpful when you’re at your doctors office and you want to remember what you wanted to ask!
Get A Massage
You can ask your partner for a neck and shoulder massage at home.
Eat Well
If you do have an appetite and you want food between bouts of nausea, be sure to eat foods that are good for you and your baby. With that being said, pregnancy cravings are real! Indulge in your pregnancy cravings with moderation and you should be fine.
Try and stay away from fried, greasy or strong smelling foods. Eat several small meals throughout the day.
Update Your Wardrobe or Shoes For Your Changing Body
Although you might not need maternity clothes early on in your pregnancy, it never hurts to start looking for some deals on maternity clothes. You can definitely get stylish maternity clothes on a budget.
Get yourself a new pair of shoes that are more comfortable. You might need them a little later on when your feet are tired and swollen.
Stay Hydrated
It be tempting to drink less because you’re dealing with increased trips to the bathroom. You don’t need to avoid liquids and drinks entirely, but it’s a good idea to have a cut off time. It could help with getting more sleep while you’re expecting.
Take It Slow
Getting up quickly can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Stand up slowly after you’ve been sitting or laying down for a period of time.
Related Post: What To Do When Pregnant For The First Time
Pregnancy won’t feel this way always! By the second semester, some of the worst symptoms begin to subside and you generally start feeling better. Until then I hope that these tips give you some ideas on ways to feel better during first trimester pregnancy!