The first trimester of pregnancy is hard. You don’t know what you’re in for (especially if it’s your first). You’re not showing yet nor do you feel the baby, so it’s hard to connect to the baby. You might feel great, which may make you panic that something’s wrong. You may feel terrible, and you wonder will there be an end in sight.
Record your symptoms
The days go by slowly, but the weeks are quick. Recording your symptoms to easily share with your doctor is super helpful. It can also help you to track patterns. For example, I begin my ‘new week’ on Tuesdays. I noticed every Friday or Saturday (halfway through), I’d be the sickest for the week. I was able to determine this by tracking symptoms in my Ovia app. It’s also helpful because if you’re on the sicker side of pregnant ladies, it can help the doctor assess if you need medication.
Adjust your meals before you need to
Six small meals packed with protein to keep you full will make you feel best. Before the tired spell hits or your nausea is off the chart, try to adjust to six smaller meals. I did my best to eat clean during my three regular meals and I added 100 calorie snacks throughout the day. A few of my favorites are:
- Lara bars, eat ½ a bar for 100 calories
- Tiny olive pouches, 50 calories per pouch and loaded with protein
- Hummus cups
- Naked drinks, drink ½ a bottle at a time
Plan to slow down
The tired spell hit me like a ton of bricks. Out of nowhere, I’d need a nap from 8-10 am to function or I’d be in bed by 6:30 or 7:00 pm. Know that it’s coming, and plan ahead. Don’t schedule too many things in advance. Try to take time for yourself. I’d recommend cutting your typical plans in half. For those of you that love to be on the go, like me, pick a Netflix show you’ve been dying to binge on. There were certain days that I couldn’t get off the couch and it drove me nutty. I hate the feeling of being lazy. However, you have to keep in mind – you’re not being lazy, you’re growing a human. It’s kind of a big deal.
Keep life as stress-free as possible
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy can be really stressful. You’re constantly wondering what more should you be doing. You’re waiting for some big milestone appointments with your doctor. Do your best to keep life as stress-free as possible. To keep your mind off of doctor appointments, plan relaxing activities with your partner. We went for a lot of casual walks and planned a baby bucket list. If you’re a social butterfly, but not sharing your big news until the second trimester, plan brunches instead of dinners. It’s easier to turn down bubbly at brunch than a glass of wine at dinner. If you’re anything like me, hiding your pregnant is super stressful. Avoid it as best you can. Tell people you’re super busy with work or you’re doing Whole30. The time will fly by and they most likely won’t even notice. In the meantime, you’ll be home getting rest and taking it easy for your new bundle of joy.
For the first time mommas out there, what did you struggle with and how did you overcome it? For the pregnant mommas, where do you need help? Would love to hear from people below! Also, did you catch our baby announcement?
Affectionately known to her friends as Millennial Martha for her love of DIY and decorating, Jen can’t help but pour her heart + soul into everything she touches. She’s loved to entertain since acquiring a table and chairs, and giving gifts is one of her favorite hobbies. Jen is the creator of Girl Meets Party. Her dream is to share her passions with the world in hopes to inspire others by making the seemingly unattainable attainable.
