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In my experience of carrying three babies over time, the first trimester was by far the most difficult. The exhaustion, the nausea, the pain in the nipples, the constant trips to the bathroom – I could do without it (except my little bean, of course). As a Gynecologist In Lahore , I know that these symptoms are part of the process of developing a small person (and are often reassuring), but that doesn’t make them more fun. Here are some tips to help you through the first trimester with a little more joy and a little less misery so that you can enjoy the thought of your little one nestling in you.
# 1 Take More Than One Pregnancy Test to Confirm.
They are even the type we used when I was working at a doctor’s office. They are extremely accurate and you don’t have to waste time as you would buy some of the digital versions. Every sign of a second line, no matter how weak, means “Congratulations!” Is alright. That said, the second, third and fifth test are useful in the following days when you want peace of mind – and to make sure you didn’t see anything the first time!
# 2 Wear a Comfortable Bra.
My first symptoms were nipple sensitivity and breast changes. If you find yourself fighting sore breasts and nipples, wear a softer, more comfortable bra. Tight clothing can feel restrictive and cause more pain. I loved to wear my cotton bra during the first few weeks of pregnancy (but let’s face it, I really enjoyed it throughout my entire pregnancy).
# 3 Get Some Extra Rest.
My second symptom of pregnancy was extreme exhaustion. When I was pregnant with my oldest son, I was able to fall asleep while taking my patients’ blood pressure (not really, but you get it). To counteract the fatigue, I threw away my lunch and used the rest of my lunch break to nap in an empty room.
# 4 Keep That Baby Fed!
Pregnant-nausea hunger is the worst. You are so hungry that you feel sick, but you are so sick that you don’t want to eat anything. Take my advice: Eat. You will feel so much better! I ate all day when I was pregnant. As long as there was food in my stomach, I was much less sick and could take better care of myself and my family. Some simple snacks that I had on hand were protein bars, nuts, fruit, and yogurt.
# 5 Drink Up!
I speak water, water and more water. If you notice that you are sick of water, taste it. I would flavor my water with lemon or even electrolyte tabs to keep it nice and fresh. You can even drink other beverages, such as herbal teas, juices, bouillons, etc. Drink when you are thirsty and bear in mind that your urine should be straw-colored if you have good fluid intake. Water helps you stay hydrated and feel good even on your slowest days.
# 6 Don’t Worry About Gaining or Losing Weight.
With my first baby I noticed that I was a little worried that I had not gained any weight at the end of my first trimester. My midwife assured me that it was completely normal and that some women even lose weight during the first trimester because of nausea and because they cannot suppress the food. With my third baby I received a positive pregnancy test and my pants could not be buttoned the next day. Now I believe that your body knows what to do to feed your baby. Give yourself grace and try not to worry too much about the weight. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.
# 7 Find an Obstetrician
Start by searching for a great obstetrician to accompany you during your pregnancy. Usually obstetricians want you to see about 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. You may want to see an OBGY in 6 weeks or up to 12 weeks. Remember that you “hire” a healthcare provider. If something is wrong, don’t be afraid to look for another provider. This person will be with you during your pregnancy and look after you and your baby. You want someone you trust and who supports you in having the birth experience you want, whether it’s a natural birth, C-section.
# 8 Watch Out If You Are Sensitive to Odors.
I had no idea that an increase in my sense of smell would be a symptom of pregnancy, so it came as a complete surprise. As a nurse, this increased sense of smell was difficult to tolerate on certain days. Fortunately my colleagues were great and would help me when there was a situation that I thought I couldn’t handle because of the smell. If you are sensitive to certain odors, you must warn your partner, friends and colleagues. You can also avoid places with strong fumes, such as nail and hair salons, and choose not to cook certain foods.
# 9 Continue With Your Training Routine.
One of the best things I did during my pregnancy was to continue training. It helped me to maintain my energy level or to stimulate it when they were down. If you go out for a walk, you can also get your daily dose of vitamin D. Be careful with yourself and adjust your training if necessary. Although I always wanted to keep running during all my pregnancies, after about 16-20 weeks I stopped feeling good, so I trained in other ways. During my most recent pregnancy I have given aqua aerobics classes with great pleasure. Talk to your health care professional about which exercise is safe for you and your baby and whether adjustments should be made to your exercise routine.
# 10 Eat a Balanced Diet.
A well-rounded diet helps you and your growing baby to stay healthy and nourished. Make sure you get enough fat, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. All of these come into play during the first few weeks of fetal development. For example, protein is necessary for the development of fetal cells and fats help in the development of the brain. One of my favorite ‘pregnancy meals’ was fried salmon sprinkled with olive oil, topped with lemon and dill slices, and served with a side of roasted asparagus, wild rice, salad and berries.
I hope these tips help you beat your first trimester like a boss. Congratulations on your pregnancy, whether this is your first baby or your fifth child! Do you have any other survival tips for the first trimester? Visit OBGY Diagnostics!
