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I’m now in my 25th month of being pregnant in the last 5 years – #whoa. It’s my 3rd rodeo and although each pregnancy is different, some of the struggles have been the same.
1st Trimester Survival Guide
The dreaded first trimester was amazing with my first (a girl); basically, no symptoms at all. With my second (a boy), I was WAY emotional and exhausted, but really nothing to complain about. This time around, I struggled with the nausea that so many women deal with in their first trimester. In turn, I felt exhausted and depressed that I didn’t really want to *do* anything. Not exactly an option when you have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. So I did what every pregnant momma does – pushed through and survived it! Aside from the obvious stuff, like visiting a doctor and taking prenatal vitamins (fully recommend both, people!), here’s how… my first trimester survival tips from a pregnant mom of two:
Give Yourself a Break
My advice to ANY pregnant woman is to treat themselves with the same grace and forgiveness that they would their best friend or sister. Understand and accept that your body and mind are changing, and try to be gentle on yourself when you get frustrated that you aren’t feeling up to whatever activity you used to do before you got pregnant. The first trimester is pretty thankless – strangers can’t tell you’re pregnant so they can’t sympathize, you can’t feel any movement or signs that the baby is ok, and you feel off emotionally and/or physically without having anything to show for it. All this can get you down but if you give yourself a break, it will make things easier. I cried – okay, sobbed – this summer in front of my entire family (husband, parents, sister) when the ice cream shop didn’t have the mint chocolate chip I wanted. Instead of being more upset about the fact that I was being totally irrational, I was able to laugh through the tears – holy crazy!
Eat Right
Everyone knows you need 3 servings of veggies every day. But when you can’t even look at broccoli or salad without gagging, the struggle is real! Instead of eating all of them, I drink them; V8® has two new flavors of Veggie Blends: Berry Bliss and Caribbean Greens – they’re both really good and easy to drink on-the-go. One serving of the beverage (8oz, only 60 calories, no sugar added, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives) = one serving (1/2 cup) of veggies. And one serving has 100% of the daily vitamin C recommended so we’re chugging it during this cold & flu season ;). Walmart has both the Berry Bliss (my fave) and the Caribbean Greens in store, but if you want to buy online, you can find another flavor here.
Get Moving
As much as you don’t feel like moving from the couch, forcing yourself to get up and walk, go to a fitness class, or just generally getting your blood flowing is 100% going to make you feel better. Of course, I’m not a doctor so talk to yours about what exercises and activity level is best for you. I always took it easy during my 1st tri but there are plenty of women who do what the did before they were pregnant.
1st Trimester Survival Guide
Listen to Your Body
Take a nap if you feel tired, eat some milk and cookies if you want them, and take a day off if you aren’t feeling well. A nap means your body needs rest, milk and cookies means your body needs calcium, and taking a mental health/sick day will make you feel refreshed.
Know That It’s Temporary
It’s so hard to function when you aren’t feeling yourself; it feels like the yucky stage will never end. What if this lasts the whole 9 months? How can I take care of my kids while I feel like this? Do I need medication? All these unknowns can be scary and overwhelming but my mantra in pregnancy – and motherhood overall – is “this too shall pass” – meaning, it’s all temporary. The good, the bad and the ugly; they’re all phases and seasons of life. You *will* feel better again!
Use Your Village
If you already have kids, use a babysitter or family for help to run errands, work out, or to just take a nap without interruption. If this is your first pregnancy, let the people you love spoil you a little – whether its letting someone else clean the kitchen, do the laundry, or bring you dinner – let ’em! Relax – growing a human is hard work!
