6 Tips for Surviving the First Trimester
For first-time mothers-to-be, pregnancy is a challenging, beautiful experience! The first trimester can be one of those more challenging moments for a lot of people since you’re new to everything and still settling into the whole experience of being pregnant.
Here are a few tips to help you get through that period with ease.
1. Be prepared for morning sickness
Morning sickness is probably one of the most bothersome symptoms of being pregnant. It typically only lasts through the first trimester and gets better as your pregnancy progresses.
Being prepared will make dealing with it a little easier. Try foods/drinks that help curb nausea; these include ginger tea, watermelon, cold drinks and smoothies, and lemon tea/drinks.
Similarly, avoid foods that trigger your nausea. These include spicy and oily foods that are difficult to digest. If your morning sickness isn’t controlled by these measures alone, try talking to your healthcare provider for pregnancy safe ways to help prevent nausea.
2. Stay hydrated
Hydration is super important during pregnancy because your body needs more of everything to sustain a healthy pregnancy, including water.
Drinking plenty of water keeps you refreshed, prevents problems with your amniotic fluid, and helps prevent constipation. Make sure you drink small sips throughout the day instead of drinking too much water all at once.
You can also hydrate yourself with fresh juices, herbal teas, soups, and smoothies.
3. Know how to get in contact with your healthcare provider
Always ask your healthcare provider who to contact and how to contact them in case you have any questions or an emergency arises.
This will help keep your anxiety at bay and will give you more confidence in embracing your pregnancy.
4. Prioritize sleep
Sleep when you can! Your body needs rest to sustain itself. While it’s important to stay active, try not to overwork yourself. Your body is already working overtime when you’re pregnant, you don’t need to exert yourself even more.
5. Eat what your body tells you to eat
Due to the fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy, your body might grow repulsed by certain foods that you might have loved before pregnancy. It’s best to avoid these foods and not force yourself to consume them since it may trigger your nausea.
On the other hand, you might start craving foods that you never liked before. Unless it’s something you shouldn’t be eating, you should eat these foods since it might be a sign of certain deficiencies and your body trying to recover from them.
6. Find ways to manage your emotional highs and lows
The change in hormone levels can play a toll on your mental health. While it’s difficult, try not to get overwhelmed by the emotional highs and lows you’re experiencing.
Try talking to your friends and family about what you’re experiencing. Their support is indispensable when it comes to getting through pregnancy emotions. If it helps, talk to other first-time mothers-to-be. Relating to each other’s problems might make it easier to deal with them.
Other things that might help are yoga, meditation, working out, music, etc.
We hope these tips help you survive that first trimester of pregnancy!