These symptoms are all common in the first trimester: fatigue, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, frequent urination and constipation.
- Cut out the toxins. Your body might already be telling you, but now is the time to stop drinking alcohol, smoking, taking drugs, limit caffeine (it puts you at greater risk of miscarriage), check your over-the-counter medications (you’re basically down to just Panadol now), switch to eco products around the home and for personal use. Your baby is also on the receiving end of whatever you put into your body, so treat them with the utmost care.
- Find a way to manage your symptoms. Some sail through pregnancy with little to no symptoms, while others are bed-bound and heaving.
These symptoms are all common in the first trimester: fatigue, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, frequent urination and constipation. Eating small meals more often can help – you can even try eating a cracker or toast before you even rise from bed in the morning, and a snack late at night to keep your blood sugar from dropping too low. Ginger is often touted as a remedy for nausea but morning sickness can have a life of its own. Some swear by Sea-Band acupressure bracelets. You can try taking additional vitamin B6. If you’re vomiting, unable to eat, losing weight and concerned, see your Doctor as they may be able to help with medication. Otherwise, try to hang in there – for many the symptoms ease once you move into the second trimester. Listen to your body – rest as much as you can. Call on support. Be gentle with yourself. - Connect. While you may feel like you’re glued to the couch and that seeing other people is the last thing you feel like doing, reaching out to others who have been down this road before can be really helpful. Whether that’s friends or family who have had children, or finding an online forum you feel comfortable in. Being able to ask questions, hear others experiences and sharing your own is so valuable. Just keep in mind that your experience is your own – just because someone else suffered nine months of morning sickness doesn’t mean you will.
Congratulations, mama! You are superwoman: look at you, growing an entire human! That’s no mean feat. Don’t worry about getting not much else done. Nap whenever you can, pass over household duties to others if you can, and try to stay positive. Before long, you’ll be switching up to a larger wardrobe and into the second trimester!
