THEY CALL IT THE ‘INVISIBLE TRIMESTER’
But the experience of the first trimester is anything but invisible.
Wether your pregnancy was planned or not, there is the mental and emotional undertaking of processing this news. And even though you might not see it, you’re almost certainly feeling the huge changes taking place in your body to accommodate your rapidly growing embryo and fetus.
We’re talking fatigue, frequent urination, and morning sickness (or, better said, all day sickness!) just to name a few. Food aversions, nausea, and vomiting are some of the most commonly experienced symptoms of the first trimester. We know firsthand just how miserable it can feel, so we’re sharing research backed ways to make it through this intense (but temporary!) phase of pregnancy.
Why it happens
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the big hormone on the block during the first trimester. In fact, it’s the hormone your pregnancy test is looking to detect, because we only produce it during pregnancy. hCG signals your body not to menstruate so the uterine lining can thicken and support your growing embryo. Unfortunately, it also causes nausea.
Coupled with an increase in estrogen, which heightens your sense of smell, you’re presented with quite the challenge.
Tips for taming it
Every body is different, and there might be some trial-and-error as find what brings you the most relief. Give these a try, and hopefully you’ll be feeling better soon.
🍎 Snack, snack, snack 🍎
Eating smaller, more frequent meals can make a huge difference, since an empty (or overly full) stomach is usually the most queasy. Also keep a little snack by your bedside to take a bite from if/when you wake up at night.
🥤 Stay Hydrated 🥤
Dehydration is your nausea nemesis. So keep water nearby, and sip throughout the day. (tip: don’t chug - it can trigger vomiting).
☕️ Ginger & Peppermint ☕️
Ginger candies, ginger ale, peppermint tea or essential oil. They are natural nausea-busters.
🤛🏻 Acupressure Magic 🤛🏻
Some people swear by the wrist acupressure bands. Pop 'em on and let them work their wonder.
🚶🏻♀️ Gentle Movement 🚶🏻♀️
Gentle, daily movement such as prenatal yoga or a stroll in the fresh air goes a long way in regulating your digestive system and helping you attain hormonal balance.
🙅🏽 Avoid Trigger Foods 🙅🏽
Identify the foods that send your tummy into a tailspin and give them a temporary eviction notice. These usually include fried and spicy foods.
The good news
This group of symptoms are indicators that your pregnancy is going well. Research shows that those who experienced nausea and vomiting were between 50% and 75% less likely to have a miscarriage than those who did not.
This is temporary. We know that’s annoying to hear when you’re on week 5 of daily nausea and vomiting. But for most people, these symptoms fully subsides by week 14 of pregnancy. If your nausea continues, talk to a doctor to see if you might have Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
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