How To Handle A Tough First Trimester

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and a flurry of experiences. However, growing and supporting a child within the body is not an easy journey.

It brings a lot of changes to your body apart from the growing belly. Pregnancy, especially the first trimester brings with it symptoms like sore breasts, fatigue, nausea, vomitting, morning sickness, constipation among other symptoms.

That’s because during the first trimester, your baby goes through the most rapid growth ever. From a fertilised cell, the foetus grows into a bundle of growing limbs. Several organs are formed and the brain begins to develop by this time.

Due to these changes, a lot of physical changes are visible in the mother-to-be. Perhaps the most difficult time of pregnancy is the first trimester. However as the pregnancy progresses towards the fourth month it gets better.

It helps when you know how to handle the tough times during the first trimester and that’s why we’ve listed ways to do it.

Ways To Handle A Tough First Trimester

Some of the ways to handle a tough first trimester are:

1. Morning sickness: Morning sickness can strike at any time of the day. Research shows that it is common in 70% of pregnancies and is more common during the first trimester. 

It can be due to low blood sugar or the rise in pregnancy hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). 

Solution: It is advisable to avoid having an empty stomach to help relieve nausea. Small and frequent meals can be helpful.

2. Dehydration: As morning sickness is common during the first trimester, expecting mums can also get dehydrated because of the increased demand for water. 

Nausea and vomiting can make it difficult for the body to absorb the water it needs, causing dehydration.

Solution: Drinking plenty of water and fluids are advisable.

3. Inadequate sleep and fatigue: Changing hormone levels, anticipation, and anxiety can make sleep a distant possibility in the first trimester. 

Fatigue or loss of energy can also begin in the first weeks of pregnancy. The credit again goes to hormonal changes.

Solution: You can take a quick snooze whenever you feel tired.

4. Sore breasts: In the beginning of the first trimester, expecting mums can experience discomfort due to tender and sore breasts because their bodies are flooded with oestrogen and progesterone. 

Solution: Trying a new bra or breast pads to shield the nipples can provide comfort.

The natural nipple butter to soothe sore nipples can also help. Clinically tested, it is enriched with Vitamin E and nourishes the area around the nipple.

5. Painful urination: During the first trimester, a woman becomes highly susceptible to urinary tract infection due to the changes that pregnancy causes to the urinary tract.

Moreover, the pressure from the uterus prevents the bladder from completely draining, causing infection.

Solution: It is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

6. Constipation: Constipation is common during all stages of pregnancy. A daily prenatal vitamin is recommended by the doctor during pregnancy that contains iron. However, the iron in the vitamin can lead to constipation.

Moreover, the slow process of breaking down food (due to progesterone) can also cause constipation, gas, and bloating.

Solution: To get relief from this, drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and include plenty of fibre in your diet.

7. Heartburn: Heartburn is not only common during the first trimester but also during the second and third trimesters. It is caused by hormonal and physical changes that your body undergoes during this crucial time.

Solution: Try to avoid food that might upset your stomach. You can also opt for smaller and frequent meals with plenty of water in between.

Sleeping propped up instead of flat can also help. Try to have your last meal at least three hours before you go to bed.

Tips To Get Through A Tough First Trimester

Following these tips would help you handle a tough first trimester:

• Choose healthy food options such as salads, soups, fruits, and steamed veggies whenever you feel hungry in between meals.

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids to stay hydrated.

• Take your prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements every day.

• Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine intake.

• Exercise regularly with doctor’s consultation.

• You must not miss any doctor appointments or scheduled checkups.

• If you are craving for chocolates, try plain dark chocolate, rather than milk or white chocolate as these are loaded with sugar.

• Try to avoid sitting or standing for a prolonged period of time as it can hurt your ankles and veins. Take frequent breaks and move around.

• You can keep your legs elevated after you’ve been on your feet for a while.

• Due to changes in hormone levels, there are skin changes as well. Skin pigmentation is also common. You can hydrate your skin by applying a clinically proven body lotion, body wash and a stretch oil to relieve dryness.

These were some of the tips to handle a tough time during the first trimester. A lot of pregnancy changes start from the first trimester as the baby is now starting to grow physically and requires a lot of room. With some simple tips, these changes can be managed.