Surviving the first trimester is the first of many rites of passage into the world of motherhood. It ain’t easy! But it is important to know that you aren’t alone and more importantly – the first trimester will end, you will feel better and it is worth it. I promise. And that’s why I am sharing 5 tips for surviving the first trimester.
5 Tips For Surviving The First Trimester
In partnership with Winter Park Memorial Hospital, I spoke with Dr. Lindsey Koss, a Winter Park Memorial Hospital Baby Place OBGYN physician from Contemporary Women’s Care, about first trimester survival. I asked her to share tips that she gives her patients about surviving the first trimester. As a mom of twins, she talked candidly about her own challenges during the first trimester.
Eat what you can
For many moms, the first trimester is plagued by morning sickness. While it is important to remember that morning sickness (even morning, noon and night sickness) is very normal, that is not very reassuring when it is hard to keep anything down.
There are certain foods that should be avoided throughout pregnancy, but outside of those foods Dr. Koss emphasized the importance of eating whatever you can during this time. Don’t stress if your diet consists of chicken nuggets because that is what you can tolerate. Just keep taking your prenatal vitamins and making sure you get at least 400 mg of folic acid daily. When the worst of the morning sickness passes later in your pregnancy you can concentrate on rounding out your diet. By the way, Dr. Koss also mentioned that vitamin B-6 can also help morning sickness.
For more food tips, be sure to check out my post 11 Pregnancy Food Rules.
Sleep, sleep and more sleep
Sorry Superwoman, you are going to have to allow yourself to sleep — even take naps — or you won’t make it. First trimester exhaustion is the real deal, and you are going to need all of the extra zzzzzs you can get. Go to bed early, take a nap, whatever you can do to get some extra sleep even if that is a 10-minute snooze on the couch before dinner. You will be healthier and happier if you just give in and allow yourself extra sleep.
Know what’s normal
I was only a couple of weeks pregnant when I called my OBGYN to make my first appointment with my oldest, and I was shocked when they told me I had to wait until 8 weeks. It seemed so far away, and I couldn’t believe they didn’t need to see (and educate me) before that time.
Before that first appointment, it is your job to educate yourself. Don’t freak yourself out, but educate yourself. Weekly progress emails comparing the size of your growing babe with a fruit are fun and helpful. It is reassuring to know that your symptoms are normal and what to expect. For example, Dr. Koss pointed out that spotting is very normal in the first trimester while heavy bleeding is not and warrants an immediate call to your OBGYN.
Move it
Pregnancy is not the time to start a new exercise routine, but if you were already active before you got pregnant, keep it up. You might have to tone down your routine if you are too tired, but keeping yourself moving can also help battle fatigue. Dr. Koss said running, biking and even aerobics are all ok throughout your pregnancy if you are accustomed to them. But if you aren’t up to your normal routine, give yourself a break. Even a brisk walk can be beneficial.
Get dad onboard
Some moms are ready to shout from the rooftops the moment they discover they are pregnant, while others wait out the first trimester before sharing the news with friends and family. While waiting to share until 10-13 weeks is often recommended by doctors, including Dr. Koss, it is hard to do it alone.
While you are experiencing nausea and exhaustion waiting for that pregnant glow it’s time to enlist dad for help. You will need dad’s support getting daily chores done and reassuring you through your raging hormones. This is dad’s time to shine, so let him. You go take a nap.
As your first trimester comes to a close and the second trimester begins, many of the first trimester symptoms will being to wear off. Pregnancy still isn’t a cake walk, but you should regain your energy and start to feel more like yourself.
For more tips from pregnancy through birth check out the classes offered by Winter Park Memorial Hospital’s Baby Place. And don’t miss 4 reasons you want to have your baby at Winter Park Memorial Hospital.
Stay busy, share with friends, don’t go all out buying everything at once!!! Take your time!
I get aweful morning sickness. The best thing for me was to snack throughout the day, and drink Earth Mama Morning Wellness tea!
Napping is important. No matter how many times I go through this, the fatigue hits you so hard it’s unreal. I want to sleep all the time now.
With my first pregnancy I had a lot of morning sickness.
I figured out that if I took time for some deep breathing it reduced my stress level.
Along with doing the daily deep breathing I was less nauseous in the mornings.
thank you
eat healthy, vitamins, exercise and rest!
I always kept crackers with me. It helped when nausea started to snack on them.
Rest, rest, rest! As much as possible! I also kept crackers in my purse, so anytime I felt nauseous or a smell affected me I would nibble on those and they helped so much!
Always have healthy snacks in your purse.. take it easy! Don’t feel bad if you don’t have energy!
For me, it was sipping on ginger ale and eating saltine crackers. Thank goodness I did not vomit any, but the these two things did help to keep my nausea at bay!
I have been really sick this time around so my doctor ended up putting me on some nausea medication which helped tremendously, but I also found if I snack on cinnamon graham crackers I felt a little better sometimes.
Lots of naps and crackers beside your bed.
Not currently expecting, but these tips are great! Thanks,
Diana C
Great tips. Get lots of cat naps.
I had bad hyperemesis my first trimester. I actually got prescription medicine because I couldn’t hold anything down not even water, and I was losing weight. It took weeks before I could start eating again. I got zofran for nausea which works well, and I was told to take a regimen of vitamin B6 3-4 times daily and one .25mg benedryl. the algorithm worked and I finally stopped vomiting.
My tip is to sleep and relax as much as you can
My tip for surviving the first trimester is to keep lots of soda crackers and drink lots of water!
Drink lots of water and rest when you can. I was so tired this time, I don’t even know how I functioned.
crackers and ginger ale all day. The morning sickness was endless
My tip is to carry around bland snacks to help with upset stomach. I always carried around baggies of dry Cheerios during my entire pregnancy.
Enjoy this time…don’t want it to end too soon. Look at pregnancy books to learn what’s happening during this trimester even if you’ve had a baby before. It will help to make this time special.
My best tip is drink lots of water or whatever other fluids you can stand. Lots of the symptoms will be worse if you’re dehydrated, and having plenty of water in your system will let it be more effective in making all the changes the first trimester brings!
don’t stress yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food, drink lots of water & take your prenatal vitamins. do not carry heavy loads
My tip for surviving the first trimester is to stay relaxed, take it easy, take prenatal vitamins, and prepare for the rest of the pregnancy.
“Mind over matter” is a good thing to keep in mind. I remember many times where it helped me! Also, get your rest and keep yourself hydrated.
Stay busy and get a lot of sleep.
make sure you take vtamins
For me, the first trimester was full of worry. Was I doing everything right? Was that symptom normal? Can I eat this? Am I working out too hard?… I think my advice, would be to let Mother Nature do her thing. The body does as it is supposed to. We don’t have to “think” about breathing we just do. Know that if you are worried if you are doing “right” then you are. You care enough to care. That is huge.
I would say start getting naps in when you can.
My tips are to sleep and eat when you feel the need to do so. Also, deep breathing and watching funny movies helps too.
Stay busy and take your vitamins.
Make sure you get medical care and take your vitamins.
Get lots of sleep!
Take your prenatal vitamins and get lots of sleep.
Vitamins! Stay hydrated and exercise!
Get plenty of rest, eat well and drink lots of water.
For morning sickness just keep crackers handy and get plenty of rest.
Eat well and get plenty of rest.
Get your rest, eat healthy and take your vitamins.
Rest a lot
Take your vitamins, eat well and enjoy being pregnant!
I had a lot of luck with keeping active and since I was pregnant during the summer months, I made sure to stay hydrated!
My tip to surviving the 1st trimester is to sleep…. just sleep. Oh, and eat of course… then again I always do both of these things A LOT with each pregnancy 😉
Get a lot of sleep and make sure you start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you can.
Stay rested, hydrated and active.
My tip is to get plenty of rest and take care of yourself!
Try and take it easy and rest during the day.
My tip is don’t overdo everything and take time to relax and rest.
My tip is to keep active. Gentle activity can help relieve discomfort.
Get a lot of rest during the first trimester… it’s so tiring!
My tip is to get as much rest as possible.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Vitamins and Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water, take your vitamins and get plenty of fresh air!
It helped me to keep a small bag of saltines or pretzels with me to help fend off the queasy feelings.
The first trimester was all about survival mode for me. My friends thought I’d been kidnapped by aliens — they didn’t see me for about 6 weeks. Just say no to things that aren’t VITAL to your survival.
Try to relax and get lots of rest and eat healthy.
Get as much rest as possible and eat lots of fresh fruits.
Enjoy every minute of it – the first trimester comes with a lot of firsts, listening to the heartbeat for the first time is one of them
My tip is to try and get as much rest as possible.
Food aversions can turn you off of your favorite foods, so my tip is to find what your stomach can currently handle and make sure that you have enough of it (or easy access to purchase it).
I rested a lot and let my husband and family help with cleaning
The first trimester was actually the easiest for me all 4 times, but plenty of rest is my tip.
My best tip for surviving the first trimester, ginger anything will help with morning sickness. Buying ginger-flavored Altoids was the best advice I was given. 🙂
rest, rest, rest and ginger to help calm your tummy
My best tip is to get plenty of rest.
Try to maintain your exercise routine, or at least try to ensure that you get some exercise regularly!
don’t over eat, you don’t want to make your sickness worse
Try not to overstress yourself
I’m 23 weeks pregnant now and in the first trimester I recommend taking naps.
Lots of toast and cracker while taking prenatal vitiams so your bellys not upset and keep active.
Not good for ya but I ate something salty whenever I felt like I may be getting sick. It helped almost every time. Also rest as much as you can. I was exhausted in my first trimester. Thank you!
My Tip To Have A Balance, Exercise, Rest, Drink Lot’s Of WAter And Take Vitamin.
Drink lots of water. it really helped me with both pregnancies to stay hydrated.
My tip is to keep healthy snacks around for when you need energy.
Eat right is my best tip.
Rest and take naps when you feel tired.
don’t over eat
Plenty of rest and as much time off from work as possible!
My best tip is to have little snacks throughout the day instead of big meals.
My tip is to get to the doctors early, start your vitamins and have crackers available.
Try to get lots of rest, eat well, and drink lots of water.
Definitely take it easy, drink water and rest.
My best tip for surviving the first trimester is to keep saltine crackers on the nightstand next to the bed!
My best tip is to take it really easy as you can and get much rest. try to only eat things you know wont make you sick.
I’d say to make time to relax and get rest for yourself.
My favorite tip for surviving the first trimester is to modify your fitness routine so that you can stay active. Cycling is my fave activity.
Pamper yourself! This is the time for you, after baby comes it will be all about baby
Stay active, but get plenty of rest.
My best tip for surviving the first trimester is to keep saltine crackers by your bed, and eat a few before you move in the morning. That way, you don’t get morning sickness. Thanks for the giveaway!
Swimming is great exercise and the water helps hold you up.
Thanks for the contest.
Rest when you need to! It’s OK to take breaks!
I barely survived the first trimester myself so I am not sure I can give the best advice here. However, I would say staying hydrated, taking bubble baths, relaxing, these are all helpful components. Different things work for different people. You do what you have to do. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do (other than your doctor) and be proud of yourself!!
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your loved ones!
Do a lot of reserch on anything you Are unsure of and eat as well as you can
I don’t have any tips since I’ve never been pregnant, but I’m enjoying reading everyone else’s tips!
Get lots of sleep, and treat your morning sickness or youwon’t be able to function.
Get as much rest as you can. Naps are your friend.
I had horrible sickness with my first baby. With the second I found that eating pretty much constantly helped keep the nausea at bay.
I would say get the rest you need and get ready for baby.
Get lots of rest!
i have to go with rest. trying to do everything just wears you out and you regret it.
Make sure you take it easy and get plenty of rest
Get enough rest and eat well.
I just had to rest and take it easy. thankfully I had a great support system that included my husband and parents to help me get through it.
need lots for rest
drink a lot of water and give in to those cravings you deserve it!
My tips for surviving the first trimester is to drink lots of water and get lots of rest
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Nourish Your Body And Take Your Vitamins and Nap!
Just take it one day at a time, one hour at a time if you need.
Eat right and plenty of rest.
When I wasn’t working I was sleeping a lot! I was praying and taking my prenatals!
getting plenty of rest!!!
If you feel good, get up and be active. But don’t deny yourself sleep!
Stay hydrated, be active, and rest when needed!
Rest and sleep. Plus share any concerns with your doctor and don’t think anything is too little to share. I learned this the hard way.
Tell me your best tip for surviving the first trimester.
Sleep sleep sleep and sleep and drink lots of water!
My tip is to get plenty of rest! Also be sure to stay hydrated!
Get a lot of rest.
Just don’t overdo it – give your body plenty of time to rest and get used to the changes!
Get the rest you need and know it will all be over before you know it!
try to sleep as much as you can and saltine crackers.
Lots of water and rest just nuture your self and body
My best tip is rest when you can and start eating healthy if not already doing so.
Get alot of rest !
Find the right OB for you, someone you feel comfortable with and someone who listens. Stay away from the discussion boards and pregnancy books, lol they will scare you with fear. Just relax and enjoy the blessing!
My tip is to get a lot of rest and eat healthy.
Stay as active as you can
Get as much rest as you can because your body is going through a lot of changes and you are going to be very tired. Listen to your body!
Take walks everyday. The fresh air and exercise really helps you to feel balanced during a time when your life can sometimes feel completely out of balance.
Lots of water, get as much rest, load up on fruits and veggies and try not to stress about anything.
Lots of rest, relaxation and eating right are the most important things.
From a father’s pint of view, make sure your wife is comfortable during the third trimester
Don’t be afraid to relax and enjoy the first trimester, but it’s best if you don’t just lay around. Be sure to have some activity and don’t overindulge on food. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
I don’t have one… I guess just keep her happy.
Rest up if you can! The first trimester is the hardest, so take care of your body, eat good things, get plenty of sleep!
try to NOT get sick- eat lots of ice pops…
drink lots of water so you don’t dehydrate yourself.
Listen to your body! Rest when you need to
Eat healthy and get a lot of rest while you can.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If this is your first child, it can be a scary and uncertain time but also very exciting!
Try to keep a small amount of food in your stomach. Even if you just nibble on saltines. And sip on water during the day as much as possible. Rest up.
Don’t push yourself and don’t sweat the small stuff!
My best tip is to get enough rest.
Get plenty of rest.
Eat healthier foods so you feel better
Remember that everyone is different. What may work for one may not work for another. My biggest tip would be not to eat anything that you do not want to taste coming back up. Sounds gross but till this day I hate cantaloupe and just started being bale to eat banana’s again.
Get plenty of sleep! I was so exhausted in the 1st trimester!
I have been trying to take it easy. Extra sleep and lots of bread has been good to me!
My best tip is to see your doctor as soon as you think you’re pregnant.
Rest, doctor visits, etc… I was so sick.
eat frequent small meals and stay hydrated
Take a few naps when possible!
Definitely rest when you can. I was always most tired in the first trimester.
Lots of filtered water and sleep.
Drink herbal tea and have crackers on hand.
Keep some crackers by the bedside. I was sickest first thing in the AM
Started to take yoga classes. Relaxing and healthy
I ate lots of watermelon and strawberry ice cream….:)
Meditation, yoga, you are going to need all the zen and self-balance mental patience you can get!
Always keep saltines next to the bed. I had saltines and pepper mints and a bottle of water. It’s rough but only for a while and so worth it!!