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I know, there are so many posts with first trimester tips. What makes mine different you say? Well! I’ve been through it twice now and they were both completely different. I have two perspectives on it for a start, because both were polar opposites!
The first trimester is a tiring time, these tips helped me through mine.
In an overview, my first pregnancy. I was living with my partner of four years on summer break from uni with no other children in tow, no job. Just pure relaxing and getting through it and dealing with things as they come.
My second pregnancy, I have a 2-year-old who was at nursery. I wasn’t living with my partner and still aren’t. I was in the middle of my PGCE. Then to top it all off I got MUMPS!
9 First Trimester tips
1. Stay open-minded.
This is my number one because your body is going through so many rapid changes. I found myself, both times feeling trapped within my own body. This was because everything had changed for me. The things I could eat (and stomach), what I could drink and what I could and couldn’t do with my body anymore.
Let alone the overwhelming tiredness you feel. You have to remember, that this is only temporary and although the first trimester can feel like the longest, it will end. If you find yourself feeling trapped, think of all the wonderful moments that this is temporary feeling is going to give you.
- Your gorgeous baby bump, which you can show off with super cute maternity clothes.
- The first time you feel your little one move, then when you, your partner and your first-born can feel and see the baby move in your belly.
- And of course the day we all wait in anticipation for. The arrival of your baby and the first moment you get to see and hold them.
So this temporary feeling, is just that, and I wish I had realised this at the time and not in hindsight, which is why I am sharing it with you.
2. Ask for help
I know, this is a staple of these kinds of posts. You have to remember though, that is what your partner is there for right now and truth behold, they hate seeing you so exhausted and possibly ill.
They feel just as helpless as you, as this is possibly completely new to them. So be kind, I know your feeling pukey and crap, but they love you…puke and all. Put your pride and your ego aside. Help is the biggest helping hand you’re going to get, especially if this isn’t your first child. It is no sign of weakness, remember it shows strength to admit when you’re struggling and need a helping hand.
I was lucky with my first pregnancy, I had no responsibilities in my first trimester, so I didn’t have much I needed help with.
My second pregnancy on the other hand. I asked for help every chance I could. With my studying and teaching schedule, as well as making sure my little boy didn’t feel left out.
It didn’t leave any energy for anything else and there were many nights I was in tears because I was so exhausted.
Related: The Most Common First Trimester Symptoms
3. Take Time for Yourself
This is something that I did not manage to achieve with my second pregnancy. My schedule and home life just wouldn’t allow it, but boy! Do I wish I could have. Just being able to grab an hour a week, will make the world of difference. This doesn’t have to mean you spend any money either, yes a spa day would be heaven, but if you don’t have the funds then do not stress. You could…
- ask your bestie to come over and spend the time with a face mask, always check they are safe for use during pregnancy before buying.
- Paint your nails.
- Watch a film with snacks of course.
- Take a nap, toddler permitting.
- Go swimming, this will helps with any aches you might have as well.
Or if you can’t even get an hour, 10 minutes of silence, deep breathing with your eyes closed has a fab effect. It just relaxes you, and is a time to get away from a screen or people.
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4. Invest in some clothing staples
Asos.com do some amazing affordable maternity wear that I could wear way before I had a bump.
During the first trimester, we are so lucky! We bloat and clothes make us uncomfortable, don’t even mention bras…..I hate them. Practical but uncomfortable in the first trimester.
I really recommend getting this bundle of clothing,(Asos Maternity essentials bundle). I’m still wearing them and the longer dress is super comfy and cute! I wore mine with black tights and Chelsea boots from boohoo (Chelsea Boots) whenever I was teaching; pure comfort. Then when the weather warmed up, I could just pair the clothes with pretty sandles or flip-flops.
A good maternity bra is an item of clothing I would get sooner rather than later. Remember your rib cage will expand, so it might be worth trying a couple of sizes that give you some growing room. Apparently underwired bra’s are ok to wear now, as long as the wire doesn’t dig in. Again Asos.com offers so many different styles of clothes, bras and shoes. It’s an easy way to stay fashionable and keep it affordable.
Related: First Trimester Symptoms + Size Guide.
5. Don’t try to do too much in the first trimester
Now this is similar to number 3, but don’t overdo things. You are creating a human as we speak (possibly), so cut yourself some slack. The third load of washing can wait, or can be done by someone else.
Put your feet up, drink a pint of water. I had the one thing a day rule. Although I couldn’t do this Monday-Friday. I lived my weekends by this rule. If you’ve left the house, once you get back, that’s your one thing a day.
It takes the pressure off of yourself, and your partner, it will give you a chance to rest and you might even enjoy being pregnant for a while during your first trimester.
Family and friends will understand that you are not feeling particularly sociable or energetic at the moment. If they don’t, then they either have never been pregnant, or are just being inconsiderate. You’re growing a human don’t they know!
6. Drink water, then some more…and then some more
I am notorious for not drinking enough. I like to refer to myself as a professional coffee drinker and having to drastically cut back on this has been hard.
Having a two pint mason jar that I drink out of helps, this is a great first trimester tips and because I’m a bit lazy, It means I’m not constantly having to make drinks…I’m just constantly having to pee.
It is surprising how good staying hydrated makes you feel. If you’ve got morning sickness, then this will help you feel slightly better when you’ve never felt worse.
You have to remember as well, that especially in the first trimester the baby is getting all of its nutrients directly from you, because your placenta has not formed yet. This is a massive contribution to the ickiness we feel. This means that the baby gets all the good stuff before we do.
Drink enough water for the both of you, especially if it’s hot. If unlike me, you don’t have a mountain of jars just hanging around, then get the big bottles of water next time you go food shopping. Then you can just refill them, I honestly believe that by always having a drink ready to go by our side that you are more inclined to drink it because it’s a constant reminder and is always there in front of you.
7. Leftovers
Honestly these were a life saver, both pregnancy’s; all the way through and after baby was here. Cooking a spag bol? Cook enough for another couple of meals. Cook everything in bulk. This will not only save you when you’re too tired to cook, but it also saves you time and money in long run.
If you end up with variety in your freezer, it also means that when those food aversions strike, you will have much more choice. Even if you’re feeling dreadful, try not to skip meals. It won’t make you feel any better and it will quite possibly make you feel worse.
Either that, or prep meals and then freeze before cooking, so that all you or your partner has to do is chuck it in the oven or in the pan. Not having to peel and chop stuff becomes very appealing at this point.
8. Be nice to your other half
Although the last thing on your mind is pleasing other people right now (trust me. I feel this one). Your partner is your guardian angel right now. They are there to
- Pick up the slack when you can’t.
- Give cuddles when you need them.
- Deal with the toddler tantrums of your first-born.
- Make sure you eat, drink, rest are comfortable.
- They tell you how beautiful you are.
- They love you even if you have sick in your hair.
Your partner does all this while being clueless to how you are really feeling. They want to understand, but realistically they can’t. So you need to remember to be understanding when they suggest something that seems ridiculous to you, because they honestly think it will help and that’s all they want to do.
Imagine if they were ill and anything you did to help didn’t work or didn’t make it better and you were faced with the hormonal wrath we all have in us. Scary huh?!
9. Quality time in the first trimester
This one refers directly to your first child. I have a 2-year-old, and he is blissfully unaware of what is actually going on. He only knew that mummy had sore bits and he had to be gentle.
I was, so worried he would feel left out. As I’m told, this is a completely normal feeling to have. Make sure that you can spend some quality time with your child 1:1.
All they want is their mummy and soon they are going to have to share her. I do this by making sure I give cuddles whenever I can, play with the bubbles in the bath and read a story every night. No matter how crappy I felt, I always read a story to him because it was a great opportunity to have a cuddle and let him know that I loved him, because I was scared he thought I didn’t anymore.
Or if you have older children…
Get them involved as well, and talk to them about what is happening and why. It can be scary for younger kids to see their mum feeling and looking ill for so long.
Some reassurance that everything is ok is probably all they need. You will also appreciate this time with them as well, as you won’t always be able to give them your undivided attention in the near future.
Of course there are many other things that can help during your first trimester, but these are honestly the things I did, and they really helped me. Most importantly stay safe, don’t be too hard on yourself and try to enjoy the thought of the joy that will come from these unpredictable few weeks.
Do you have anything that helped you through your first trimester? Let us know your first trimester tips.
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