There’s no doubt about it, the first trimester is TOUGH! Don’t worry though, I’ve got some tips to deal with the most common (and annoying) complaints!
- Nausea: This is the iconic symptom of the first trimester and is probably the worst one for many women. The best thing you can do is eat, even if it’s the last thing you can do. You’ll often hear recommendations to eat saltines or foods/candy with ginger, both of which are great, but don’t keep you very full or provide much nutrition. Keep them at hand, but also try to balance them out with some protein (nuts are great to snack on – you don’t need to eat many to be satisfied, but can pack a nutritional punch), fruits/veggies with high water content (try a bowl of cut up watermelon), and complex carbohydrates (try some whole grain toast).
- Fatigue: It takes a lot of energy to grow a human, and the first trimester can be exhausting! The best thing you can do is listen to your body. You many not have the luxury to sleep all day, but try to find some time to take that nap, even if it means neglecting your to-do list a bit. Try to adjust your bed time to give yourself some extra sleep at night, especially since you’re probably already waking more often to pee.
- Anxiety: If you’ve struggled with loss or infertility, your anxiety doesn’t go away after you get that positive test. And if you didn’t struggle, it can be easy to get into a negative thought cycle that things can’t be that easy, and something bad will happen. It’s important to let yourself feel the feeling, but then to let them go. If you try to ignore them, they tend to get worse. If you’re struggling, make sure you talk to someone – a partner, friend, doula or your care provider.
- Tender breasts: Chalk this one up to changing hormones! The best thing can be to swap your bras out for comfortable wireless ones, or even sports bras if they are more comfortable. Try to make sure they are cotton, and have some stretch; avoid mostly synthetic fabrics or lace, as they can be more irritating.
- Mood swings: Here’s another one to blame on the hormones. It’s important that you (and this closest to you), cut yourself some slack. Try to count to five before reacting, but be realistic about your limits. If you snap at someone, acknowledge and apologize, but move on and don’t let yourself get hung up on the encounter.
Dealing with other issues? Reach out to your doula, and see what tips and tricks they can recommend!
