HELLO MY LOVE & WELCOME TO THE FIRST TRIMESTER!
I'm Bianca, a new mom to two little boys, and I'm expecting my third little angel. I only found out I was pregnant again a few weeks ago. At first, I was unsure whether I wanted to share the information right away, but why not? I want to be open with you.
When you found out you were pregnant, you undoubtedly experienced a wide range of feelings and emotions. People naturally expect you to be overjoyed and excited when you find out, but it's also perfectly normal to feel anxious or confused – especially if you've had traumatic experiences in the past.
We all experience pregnancy and the first trimester differently. But there are also so many things we have in common during this time.
The first trimester is the hardest for many. You often feel very pregnant, but it's not yet visible externally, and you might not want to tell others. But how do you explain to others that you're not feeling well? Nausea, fatigue, and a general feeling of weakness accompany you through everyday life. Sometimes you're very sensitive and emotional.
It's a miracle what's happening to your body. Your body is preparing to create another human being! Morning sickness and fatigue can be very exhausting, but don't worry, it's completely normal and part of the process. Give yourself the freedom to rest and take time for yourself. It will get better in the coming weeks.
Here are some tips that might help make the first trimester as pleasant as possible:
1. Keep a pregnancy diary
Writing down your feelings is a great way to let go of negative thoughts and emotions – but a pregnancy journal can also help you track and record patterns, eating habits, and symptoms. We often forget our experiences after the baby is born, so it's also an important reminder of how much you overcame and how you experienced everything. And if it comes to that, you can reread it during your next pregnancy, and it will surely help you in many situations.
2. Fight the nausea
Nausea is definitely no fun. There are a few things you can try to ease the feeling. Our bodies all react differently, so you can try a variety of things until you find what works best for you!
- Take your prenatal vitamins in the evening instead of in the morning!
- Ginger, ginger, ginger! 🙂 Cookies, sweets, or lemonades with ginger can be great for relieving nausea.
- Proteins and foods rich in vitamin B6, e.g., nuts, chickpeas, legumes
- Salted crackers
- Eat small amounts throughout the day to avoid feeling hungry or overly full.
3. Move daily
When you're feeling down, it's really hard to find the time and motivation to exercise regularly. But if you start each day with 30 minutes of stretching, walking, or yoga (whichever you feel most comfortable with), those feel-good endorphins will increase, and a bright start to the day is guaranteed. For many pregnant women, yoga, walking, light jogging, or swimming are enjoyable activities. Just give it a try!
4. Document your pregnancy with photos
Maybe you're looking in the mirror right now, waiting for your baby bump to show. You feel terrible, you're annoyed because no one can see you're pregnant – that can be frustrating, of course. Especially when you're trying to explain why you're not feeling so great. Take a photo of your bump weekly or monthly. It's so interesting to look at all the pictures together later and see your little miracle growing.
5. Rest and drink plenty of water.
Are you drinking enough water? If so, drink more! It's so important that your body stays hydrated while it goes through all these changes. If you're feeling tired, take a nap. Taking care of yourself and your physical and mental well-being is paramount right now. Don't be afraid to take time for yourself and simply do nothing.
We hope your first trimester isn't too overwhelming. Try to keep reminding yourself that you're creating a new human being, and that's a superpower!
Be patient with yourself and try to be in the here and now.
You will be a great mother !!!
