Surviving the First Trimester and Early Pregnancy

You’ve probably read or heard from friends, mothers, or acquaintances that the first trimester is often filled with a whirlwind of emotions, heightened anxiety, and hormonal changes. It can be incredibly challenging because each of us faces unique struggles, fears, and moments of joy and sadness. Every pregnancy is one of a kind, so let’s not compare ourselves to others. Please.

While “survival” may not be the most delicate term, that’s exactly how I felt during my first three months of pregnancy. My journey through the first trimester was marked by worry—first due to a hematoma, followed by shingles covering my back. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy. These were moments of immense sadness, but through it all, I had to pull myself together, learn to embrace gratitude, and trust my body. And I must tell you, everything you’re experiencing is perfectly normal. Whatever happens, there’s always a solution. Don’t let fear take over. From my experience, I’ve gathered a few tips that might help:

Tip #1: Let Go of the Rules

No, seriously—write them down and toss them out. The expectations and ideas you have about pregnancy may look very different from reality. Release those visions and focus on navigating the first trimester with your sanity intact.

When it came to morning sickness—despite its name—it hit me all day long. It started around week three and lasted until almost week twenty. It was an intense experience, but I’ll share what helped me cope in Tip #7.

Tip #2: Listen to Your Body

Pushing yourself to stick to your regular routine or do too much during the first trimester can feel overwhelming. For me, someone who was used to intense workouts, it was hard to break that habit. I had to introduce lighter exercises like Pilates and yoga. However, I know some amazing women who managed to train throughout their entire pregnancy.

Tip #3: Eat What Your Body Craves

I craved fruits and carbs for quick energy, and meat completely disappeared from my diet. I ate what I could, when I could, and guess what—the world didn’t stop turning. Even if you’re surviving on bread, your baby will take what it needs from your body’s reserves. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins, eat what you can, and remind yourself this phase won’t last forever.

Tip #4: Share Your News When You’re Ready

This is your news to share, and only you can decide when and with whom to share it. Due to the precautions of the first trimester and the real fear of miscarriage, many women wait until the traditional 12-week mark before announcing their pregnancy. For women who’ve experienced previous losses, they may choose to wait even longer. The only “rule” should be what brings you peace.

In our case, we chose to tell my family early on, knowing I would need their support no matter what happened with my pregnancy.

Tip #5: Stay Away from Google

Imagine if someone took your phone away during the first trimester—what a relief that might be! Googling can provide temporary comfort during a scary and stressful time, but it can also fuel your anxiety. No amount of worrying will change what’s to come. Put the phone down and watch a movie instead. If you’re feeling anxious, call your doctor or midwife, or schedule a check-up for reassurance.

Tip #6: Cramps Are Usually Normal

I often felt a dull, crampy sensation similar to period cramps, which was unsettling. As your uterus and pelvis adjust for your growing baby, mild cramping is usually normal unless it’s very painful or accompanied by bleeding. In times of discomfort, rest is key. Lie down, prop up your legs on a pillow, and let yourself relax.

Tip #7: Manage Your Symptoms

Morning sickness, food aversions, and other symptoms can be hard to handle. I found a few simple remedies that helped ease my nausea, at least a little:

– Lemon drops, licorice, and grape-flavored candies

– Mint-flavored chewing gum

– Snacks you can tolerate (plain salted crackers, toast, and pretzels)

– Fruits like oranges, tangerines, and kiwi

Tip #8: Find Joy in Every Moment

Though it may feel like you’re barely surviving the first trimester, take time every day to appreciate the miracle growing inside you. Embrace the awe of creating new life, and let it fill you with gratitude.

You may have to face difficult, vulnerable conversations with yourself and others—and that’s perfectly okay. Perhaps your journey is more emotional and challenging than you ever anticipated, or maybe it’s easier to navigate than you imagined. 

Stay positive, hopeful, and trust that your body knows what to do. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor, midwife, partner, friends, or family for support. The first trimester doesn’t last forever. Take it day by day, and know that you’re doing the best you can. You got this mama!☺️

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Sigurno ste citale a i cule od vasih prijateljica, mama, poznanica da je  trimestar cesto ispunjen raznim emocijama, povecanom anksioznoscu i promenama hormona. Moze biti veoma izazovan jer svaka od nas ima svoje jedinstvene borbe, strahove, i trenutke radosti i tuge. Medjutim, svaka trudnoca je unikatna i zato se ne uporedjujmo sa drugima. Molim vas.

Iako “prezivljavanje” nije najdelikatnija rec, upravo sam se tako osecala u prva tri meseca trudnoce. Moje iskustvo sa prvim trimestrom bilo je ispunjeno velikom brigom jer sam najpre imala hematom pa je nakon toga usledio i herpes zoster koji sam imala po celim ledjima. Pa sad vi vidite, sta raditi. To su bili trenuci ogromne tuge, a paralelno sa svim sto mi se desava morala da sam da se trgnem i naucim se zahvalnosti i da verujem svom telu. Jer moram vam reci, sve je to sasvim normalno, i sta god da vam se desi, postoji resenje. Ne dozvolite da vas uplase. Iz ovog iskustva su nastali neki od sledecih saveta:

Savet #1: Odbacite Pravila

Ne, ozbiljno. Napisite ih na papir i zapalite ih. Vizije i ideje koje imate o trudnoci i kako ce izgledati za vas mogu biti drasticno drugacije od onoga sto ce se desiti. Odbacite sve to i fokusirajte se na prezivljavanje prvog trimestra sa svojim zdravim razumom.

Sto se tice famoznih jutarnjih mucnina, pocele su oko trece nedelje i trajale su do skoro 20 nedelje. Ne znam zasto se zovu jutarnje kada su bile sasvim fino rasporedjene tokom celog dana. Bilo je izuzetno burno, i podelicu sta je meni pomoglo da ih malo “suzbijem” u savetu broj #7. 

Savet #2: Slusajte Svoje Telo

Gurati se da uradite previse ili da se drzite svog redovnog rasporeda verovatno nece biti prijatno u prvom trimestru. Za mene, koja sam navikla da treniram intenzivno, jako je bilo tesko da se otrgem od tog manira i morala sam da uvedem poovremene i lagane pilates ili joga vezbice. Medjutim, poznajem neke izuzetne zene koje su trenirale tokom cele trudnoce. 

Savet #3: Jedite Sta Pozelite

Licno ja sam zelela puno voca i ugljenih hidrata za brzu energiju. Meso u mom recniku nije postojalo. Jela sam sta sam mogla i kad sam mogla, i zamislite- svet se nastavio okretati. Cak i ako jedete samo hleb, vasa beba ce uzeti ono sto joj treba za rast iz vasih rezervi. Nastavite uzimati prenatalne vitamine, jedite sta mozete i znajte da ova faza nece trajati zauvek.

Savet #4: Podelite Svoje Vesti Kada Budete Spremni

Ovo su vase vesti da podelite, i vi odlucujete kada i s kim cete ih podeliti. Zbog mera predostroznosti u prvom trimestru i stvarnog straha od pobacaja, mnoge zene se odlucuju za tradicionalno pravilo od 12 nedelja pre nego sto podele svoje vesti. Za zene koje su dozivele prethodne gubitke, mogu odluciti da cekaju jos duze. Jedino “pravilo” koje treba da diktira kada cete podeliti svoje vesti jeste ono sto vam donosi utehu.

Mi smo odlucili da obavestimo moju porodicu veoma rano. Razlog za rano obavestavanje bio je taj sto sam znala da ce mi trebati njihova podrska bez obzira da li ce se moja trudnoca nastaviti ili ne.

Savet #5: Izbegavajte Google

Recite da vam neko uzeo telefon tokom prvog trimestra. Iako sam po struci u domenu medicine, i dosta toga mi je i bilo poznato, imala sam strasnu potrebu da guglam i potvrdim svoje strahove. Guglanje je ponekad donosilo privremeni osecaj smirenosti tokom veoma uznemirujuceg i strasnog perioda, ali drugi put je izazivalo povecanu anksioznost i strah. Nijedan stepen brige nece promeniti ono sto ce se desiti. Odlozite telefon i pogledajte film umesto toga. Ako ste anksiozni, pozovite svog lekara ili babicu. Ili zakazite pregled da budete sigurni. 

Savet #6: Grcevi su Obicno Normalni

Imala sam cesto tupi, bolni osecaj grceva slican menstrualnim grcevima, sto je bilo izuzetno uznemirujuce. Jer se vasa materica i vasa karlica menja spram vase bebice i njenog rasta i osim ako grcevi nisu izuzetnp jaki ili praceni krvarenjem, verovatno ste u redu. U slucajevima da osecate bol, morate da se primirite i odmorite. Dakle, lezite, podignite noge na neko vece jastuce i opustite se.

Savet #7: Upravljajte Svojim Simptomima

Jutarnja mucnina, averzija prema hrani i drugi simptomi mogu biti veoma izazovni. Pronasla sam da nekoliko osnovnih sredstava koja su mi pomogla da upravljam mucninom (bar donekle):

– Bombone sa limunom, negro i bombone sa ukus grozdja

-Zvakace gume od mente

– Uzinu koje mozete podneti (obicni slani krekere, prepeceni tost i perece)

– Voce kao sto su pomorandze, mandarine i kivi

Savet #8: Uzivajte u Svakom Trenutku

Iako se moze ciniti da jedva prezivljavate prvi trimestar, uzmite trenutke za sebe svakog dana. Uzivanje u cudu koje raste u vama i procesu stvaranja zivota donosice ogromne nalete zahvalnosti.

Mozda cete morati voditi iskrene, ranjive i strasne razgovore sa sobom i drugima, i to je u redu. Mozda se suocavate sa emotivnijim i bolnijim putovanjem nego sto ste ikada planirali. Ili vasa trudnoca moze biti i laksa za navigaciju nego sto ste zamisli.

Ostanite pozitivni, puni nade i verujte da vase telo zna sta radi. Ne oklevajte da se obratite svom lekaru, babici, suprugu, prijateljima i porodici za podrsku. Prvi trimestar ne traje zauvek. Pristupite svom putovanju metodom dan po dan znajte da radite najbolje sto mozete.