A brief, no nonsense description of what you should expect during your first trimester of pregnancy, as well as several tips on how to reduce your nausea.
If this is your first pregnancy, you're probably wondering what to expect in the next few months to come. Hold on tight, because for some, the first trimester can become overwhelming, to say the least.
Be prepared to visit your ob/gyn for your initial appointment around the 7th or 8th week. Even though this may seem rather late, it is very common and most doctors won't see you until you're at least two months pregnant. This can be attributed to the fact that most miscarriages will happen within the first three months of pregnancy. In the meantime, it's a good idea to purchase a bottle of over the counter prenatal vitamins to start taking until your appointment. Prenatal vitamins can be found at any local drugstore or health food market.
At your first visit you will usually have a lengthy interview with your ob/gyn, a typical gyn exam with a pap smear, blood test for any STDs or blood abnormalties and a sonogram to confirm your pregnancy and establish your due date. There are several physical symptoms that you will probably start to notice. Fatigue, sleepiness, frequent urination, nausea (with or without vomiting), indigestion, food aversions, breast changes (blue veins running through breast, tenderness, darkening of your areola) and mood swings that feel similiar to premenstrual syndrome. By the time you reach your third month, some of the symptoms increase, especially frequent urination and fatigue. Constipation is very common, as is flatulence and bloating during the first trimester. Some may experience periodic headaches and dizziness or fainting. Try to take it easy around this time, your emotions will be on a rollercoaster and you'll need all the rest and fluids you can get.
There are several ways to deal with first trimester nausea. A more natural approach would include drinking decaffeinated herbal teas like peppermint or lemon, sucking on or smelling freshly cut lemons or 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar a day. Some doctors will advise the use of a sleep aid like Unisom to cut the nausea or some type of stomach antacid like Tums or Mylanta. Check with your doctor before taking any over the counter medicines. Make sure to contantly keep something on your stomach, such as toasted bread in the morning or crackers. It is very important not to overstuff at mealtime, for overstuffing sometimes worsens the sickness you're feeling. Last but not least, make sure you take time out for yourself during this first trimester to relax and get plenty of rest.
