Navigating Each Trimester with Sanity
First Trimester: The “So This Is What Tired Feels Like” Stage
Ah, the first trimester – where the discovery of tiredness hits like a gentle wave of surprise. Suddenly, even a simple task feels like a monumental feat and naps are just the best thing ever. But amidst the yawns and sleepy daydreams, there’s a certain charm in realizing you’re embarking on a unique journey, scary and exciting all at the same time. So how did I survive it? Again, naps and a few tricks I share below.
- Prenatal Vitamins: These little tablets are the unsung heroes of pregnancy, packed with all the nutrients to support you and your tiny, developing VIP (Very Important Passenger). They helped me feel not so tired or so I thought. Regardless, it was good for the baby Afterall. Do your own research on what is best for your and your tiny one. I have found recently that what I really should have taken is methyl folate as -apparently- the majority of people are unable to absorb/convert folate as is BUT I need to do more digging about it so don’t quote me on this.
- Ginger Snacks: For those mornings when getting out of bed feels like a major accomplishment, ginger can be your gentle, tummy-soothing companion and it helped with nausea a lot. I will say, it definitely was an acquired taste for me, unsure if due to pregnancy or just my picky self. Those are the ones I liked the most and loved the story behind the business.
- Comfortable Leggings: Who am I kidding? I was already wearing those before hand (lol), but the first trimester certainly introduces you to the joy of pants that grow with you. I did not have a specific brand I liked, anything with extra stretchiness did the trick. All in all, I prioritized comfort, nutrition, and self-care.
Second Trimester: The “Hey, I Kinda Look Pregnant Now!” Phase
In the second trimester, the “Hey, I Kinda Look Pregnant Now!” phase emerges, where that adorable baby bump steals the show! Suddenly, loose outfits transform into proud badges and you are beyond happy strangers are offering you their seats. This is a time where I started to feel connected to the tiny life within me and to the pain her kicks where causing me. She was also on the right spot for a good ole sciatica pain, so these were my go to help me easy it out a bit.
- Maternity Support Belt: The most uncomfortable but comfortable thing ever. I’m pretty sure I would have quit my job sooner if it wasn’t for this. The long shifts at the hospital were brutal. Did I mention sciatica? Yeah, not fun.
- Supportive Footwear : As a nurse, this has always been a big thing, as we are always on our feet so you can imagine I went a bit overboard with these. That said, they were Gods sent. I got the wider ones because my feet were already so swollen anything else would just simply not do.
- Moisturizing Oil: Now this one might not seem like a big deal, and it might not be for you but I was so so itchy, everywhere, only moisturizing oils and butter calmed it down. I learned this the hard way, too, as a first time mom – I tried applying regular lotion and it dried my skin even more. So I tried a few brands and honestly I think I liked them all, I would rotate them cause I could not stand the same smell over and over every single day three times a day. (yeah, three. I’m a bit extra). So here are my faves:
- Mustela with Natural Avocado, Maracuja & Sunflower Oil.
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Belly Cream with Collagen, Elastin, Argan Oil and Shea Butter.
- Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil Vitamin E Serum for Scars & Stretchmarks
- Hatch Belly Oil Vegan & Plant Based Nutrient Rich (this one was a gift)
Third Trimester: The “Countdown Is On!” Stage
We made it. It is the third trimester, it’s the “Countdown Is On!” stage, where excitement peaks as you prepare to evict meet your little one. Nesting kicks in as you set up the nursery and finalize details only to realize later you did not need to go THAT far (more to come on this). Amidst the kicks and penguin waddles, there’s a mix of emotions – eagerness to hold your baby and sleep without hip pain, a touch of nervousness about labor and the incessant urge of not wanting to be pregnant anymore. Unless you are like my sister, she loves being pregnant. To each its own, I guess!
- Yoga Ball: That is where you would find me at home. Sometimes, anyway. Any yoga ball works fine, I do not remember which one I used but I do recall searching for birthing ball and the product was the same, but the price difference was significant.
- Pregnancy Support Pillow: I Invested in this full-body pregnancy pillow to support the growing belly and alleviate discomfort while sleeping. My hips were in pain constantly, and since we are told is better to sleep on our left side… boy. It was so bad, the pregnancy pillow made it a bit more manageable.
- Support System: I cannot emphasize this enough. Find your people. People that love you and genuinely care for you. My last semester was the beginning of unsupportive “supporting” people, where I only had my family virtually (legit, they are miles away) to rely on, apart from my husband. This is the time where your mental and physical health take priority, time to set strong boundaries before the baby arrives and put yourself first, not someone else’s feelings.
Fourth Trimester: The “I’ve Got This, But OMG” Kit – OUTLINE
- Dermoplast: This is a MUST. It numbed all my lady bits and made walking a breeze. I’m not kidding. The only downside? I still remember the smell. I will always remember the smell. Now, for all my nurses all there, you know how you will always will remember how cdiff smells, right? well this is the next “best” thing when it comes to remembering a scent. I used it along with tucks, by the way.
- Comfortable Nursing Wear: Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, you will want to be comfortable. Pajamas all day long. I did not have a brand I liked, I normally just wore target ones, the cozies the better. I did not feel the need to spend a ton of money on robes for nursing and such. The ONLY thing I recommend here is nursing bras, I really wanted kindred bravely ones but I could not justify the price, so I got these and I still use them to this day. My child is now about to turn 3.
That is all my friends. Embarking on the pregnancy journey is like joining a club where the initiation rites include cravings, a rollercoaster of emotions, and an expanding belly that itches. I hope with this mini checklist, you’ll navigate each trimester with a bit more ease and a lot more smiles, remembering to embrace the chaos, the quiet moments, and everything in between. After all, this adventure is one of the most memorable rides of your life ♥