How to Survive Your First Trimester of Pregnancy

Bag: Louis Vuitton Jeans: Express Top: Similar, Similar Heels: Similar, Similar Cardigan:  Similar

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I scavaged the internet for information. I wanted to know what to expect and I needed to know ASAP. I read so much, but I honestly found the most helpful pieces of information to be from fellow bloggers. There is just something more comforting hearing about difficulties or even things to look forward to from a gal pal. That’s the biggest reason I wanted to write this post. For you. Maybe you are not pregnant yet, but I want you to use this post as a guide or maybe even future reference to help you during the first three months of your pregnancy. Feel free to Pin this post on Pinterest to save it for the future. But let’s jump right in! 

Morning Sickness

Let’s cut to the chase. I know that most likely this is the topic that you are the most interested in. Around week 6, I started to get a little queasy. It wasn’t too bad and it actually went away completely week 7. Then week 8 came in like a raging storm and BAMB! It hit me like a title wave. Until halfway through week 11, it was there in waves. One day I would be throwing up morning and then again at night. And then the next day, I would feel fine. But the real question is HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT? Especially having a full time job, a full time blog, and the full time duty of wife. A girl has to learn to manage!  

Tips

1. Go Ginger or Go Home

It wasn’t until week 10 that I finally smarted up and purchased a few ginger related items. I don’t know why I was so hesitant to pick them up. But at that point, I was desperate. Here are some items I recommend: Crystallized Ginger Root Candy, Yogi Ginger Tea, Organic Switchel Maple and Ginger Drink, Ginger Ale. Quick note on ginger ale. I only drank it twice because it has a whopping 59g of sugar! I would try the other alternatives first, but if you are in a pinch, go for the ginger ale. 

2. Sleep

Hands down the nights that I didn’t get much sleep, I felt more nauseous the next day. Fatigue is actually proven to cause nausea at times, so try to sleep as much as possible at night. I often didn’t get to bed as early as I should have, and I always paid the price the next day. 

3. Don’t Wait Until You Are Hungry to Eat

I can’t tell you how many times I made this mistake only to find myself dry heaving over the toilet countless times. Eat before your stomach starts giving you the sign you’re hungry. Around 4pm everyday, I would feel a surge of hunger. And I only had a limited amount of time to get food before I started dry heaving. The problem was, I wasn’t always around food fast enough because of driving, etc. So, here is your next tip.

4. Pack Snacks in Your Purse

I was really good about this for about a week. Then when the snacks ran out, I never replaced them. STUPID, STUPID mistake. Do not be like me. Have granola bars, nuts, or even fruit in your bag at all times. 

5. Have a Vomit Emergency Plan

I kept several plastic or ziplock bags stocked in my car at all times. And yes, I did have to use them several times. I also recommend packing some in your purse too. And I always set a goal in my mind if I was feeling sick. Especially at work, “Okay, you just have to make it back to the classroom.” Or ” Just make it to the bathroom.” It sounds silly but mentally telling yourself what your plan is can actually help you accomplish it.  

Fatigue 

Every pregnant lady will tell you how exhausted you are first trimester. And honestly, I didn’t realize how serious they were until I experienced it. It can seem like the only way to get out of bed is to be carried to the shower, or walking to the kitchen is like running a marathon. And don’t even get me started on having energy for cleaning. This was a hard transition for me because I was nicknamed “the whirlwind” by my husband previously because of how active I was around the house. Learning to accept my limitations was hard at first, but I learned to deal. 

Tips

1. Don’t Push Yourself

I know this is a hard one, trust me. But sometimes you really can’t do it all. And that is okay! I learned that just because the dishes are piled up, or the laundry is all over the floor, the world doesn’t stop. Do what you can handle. I did get to the point where I was ready to tackle everything head on and when you are at that point you can read my post How to Successfully Reorganize Your Life. 

2. Ask for Help

It is okay to say no to events and obligations sometimes. I mean you are growing a child for heaven’s sake! But I can be the kind of girl who tries to do everything herself. And I had to realize that asking for help was okay. Pass off some of the duties to loved ones to lighten your plate. Especially if you are married, have that hubby of yours claim a few new responsibilities. 

3. Um, Sleep! Duh! 

Let your body shut down when it wants to. It is telling you it has had enough, so listen to it. And if that means going to bed at 7pm, so be it. You know the difference between laziness and and actual fatigue. So listen girl. 

Helpful Books and Products

Books

Don’t kill me, but I haven’t read What to Expect When You Are Expecting. Honestly, it is mainly because I prefer books that give you more of that “women to women” chat vibe. I highly recommend reading The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy. It is utterly hilarious and it tells you what you want to hear in a very real way. 

Products 

I recently shared my favorite skin care products on the blog in THIS POST. All of them are pregnancy safe, non toxic, and natural. For stretch marks, I am just using Burts and Bees Belly Butter. As I start to show, I might add a couple more products. If and when I do, I will let you know. 

Pinterest

Pinterest  is a huge resource in discovering helpful articles or blog posts. I just made my pregnancy board public so you can check out some of the things I have been pinning. 

Girl, you are a champion if you made it through this blog post! But I hope you found it helpful, and if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant soon, I wish you the best of luck! Also if you have any tips, share them in the comment section! 

P.S If you missed our pregnancy announcement post, CLICK HERE.