You place the stick down on the counter carefully and then, most likely, you turn your back and attempt to wait the full 2 minutes the instructions said would be necessary to get an accurate result. About 45 seconds later you can’t take it anymore, spin around and start squinting for a line.
Now what?!?
Congratulations! (or SURPRISE!) You’re pregnant.
When the shock subsides, whether it’s from ecstatic happiness and joy or pure shock and confusion, your mind inevitably starts planning for the future. For some people it might mean heading online and joining birth club groups, for others it might mean buying all the necessities, and for some it can mean reevaluating things like your relationship, where you’re living or your lifestyle choices.
The first trimester is probably the hardest for most women. Here’s how to survive, and even thrive, during this exciting, but sometimes scary, time.
Welcome your new friend Nausea with open arms
In my experience, most women experience some level of nausea or morning sickness. It’s totally normal (often it can be the first sign of pregnancy) and can mean that this baby is making itself verrrry comfortable in your womb.
The term morning sickness isn’t always accurate since sometimes it can be all the time sickness. For some it can be very intense and a long term issue like Princess Kate, who suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum during both her pregnancies. For others it can be a few weeks of nausea with a few episodes of morning sickness. Usually it starts around 5 or 6 weeks and lasts until the end of the first trimester or 13-14 weeks.
How to survive: Eat small meals with a focus on protein. Avoid greasy foods, and stick with light, easy to digest foods. Many women find it hard to smell or eat meat, so making sure to replace the protein is important. Do some research into herbal remedies. There are pregnancy teas that can help with nausea. Drink lots of water and get tons of fresh air.
Spotting can happen
Spotting during pregnancy is more common than we think. About 20-30% of women will experience light bleeding during the first trimester. It is usually not a sign of something being wrong. Sometimes it can be implantation bleeding, when the egg attaches itself to the uterine lining. Later on it can be a sign of a polyp or a subchorionic hematoma, which usually resolves itself.
How to survive: Unfortunately, we don’t have much control over spotting and there isn’t much we can do if it happens. If there is bleeding you can always call your hospital’s birthing center or make an appointment with your doctor. In many cases, bleeding during the first trimester isn’t taken very seriously because it’s so common and because there is no treatment. Just remember, many women experience it and it does not always mean something is wrong.
You’re going to be tired…zzzzzzzz
One of the first signs of pregnancy is usually extreme tiredness at the end of the day. So many of my clients have told me that they would come from work, kick off their shoes and then proceed to fall asleep on the couch while their partner made supper. It is so normal to be completely exhausted and unable to get through the day. Your body is working hard to build a baby. Allow yourself as much time as you can to sleep and relax.
How to survive: Take catnaps on the weekend and allow yourself to lounge in sweats after work if you need to. Get your significant other to do all the food prep (you may not want to be near the kitchen anyway) and you can catch up on your sleep. Get fresh air and sunshine when you can and try not to overdo it.
There are so many signs and symptoms of pregnancy that occur in the first trimester- mood swings, sore breasts, discharge, constipation… the list goes on and on. You’ll ask yourself, “how do I survive the first trimester from hell?!?” Talk to other friends who have been there. Find out if they’ve experienced anything you have. Pick up a good book on pregnancy that doesn’t focus on fear based education. Finally, stay positive and know that soon enough you’ll be sailing out of the first trimester and heading into the SECOND TRIMESTER!
Stay tuned for the next blog in my Surviving Pregnancy series: How to Survive the Second Trimester. But first, tell me: what was your worst first trimester symptom? Was there anything that helped you survive?
