Congratulations you just found out your pregnant. Now what? Here are Tips For a Healthy and Happy First Trimester
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Tips For a Healthy and Happy First Trimester
Congratulations on your pregnancy! The first trimester is a crucial time for both you and your baby’s development. After finding out that you are expecting a bundle of joy in the coming months, you may look forward to reaching different milestones and getting through each trimester. The first trimester is one that is somewhat challenging because your body is adjusting to being pregnant. There are so many changes your body is going through and it’s hard to get through them especially when people like to keep the first trimester a secret. Unfortunately, you might experience morning sickness or all-day sickness along with many other issues that may make this time exponentially harder. That being said there are ways you can still have a happy and healthy first trimester, especially if you follow the simple tips below.
Here are some tips for a healthy and happy first trimester:
Prenatal Care for the First Trimester
Schedule your first prenatal appointment early in the pregnancy. Many practitioners won’t see your around 9 weeks along but it’s still good to get this appointment in as soon as possible. Once you’ve seen your healthcare provider Follow their recommendations for check-ups, screenings, and tests. These may give you some much needed peace of mind during this time.
Take the Prenatal Vitamins Each Day
Your obstetrician has likely prescribed prenatal vitamins for you to start taking. Try not to skip a day when taking these vitamins because they are important for your baby’s growth and development. If you have trouble stomaching these vitamins, talk with your obstetrician about alternative options.
There are some great over the counter options that will help
Now that you are expecting, you may want to do what you can to ensure that your pregnancy is a happy and healthy one. If you follow these four tips, you should have no problem keeping yourself and your growing baby healthy during the first trimester and throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
Morning sickness:
Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to help manage nausea. Keep crackers or dry snacks by your bedside to eat before getting out of bed.
Ginger and peppermint may help alleviate nausea. These Preggy pops were a huge source of relief for me when I was pregnant with all my kids. I had really bad morning sickness with all of them.
Get as Much Rest as You Want and Need
You may feel more tired than usual during your first trimester. It is normal to feel this way, so make sure to get as much rest as your body wants and needs. While you may not be able to nap as often as you would like because of work or other obligations, getting into a routine where you go to bed early enough to ensure you are getting at least eight hours of sleep is a must. You might also need to take a midday nap to feel re-energized. The important thing is to listen to your body and get enough rest. Make sure and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Keep Your Body Hydrated
Hydration is the key to feeling good while pregnant. You need to drink plenty of fluids for yourself and your baby. Of course, the best liquid to have is water, but you might also want to have some Gatorade or Powerade at times. If you are out in the heat and sweating quite often during your first trimester, a Gatorade-type beverage is ideal because of the electrolytes. Bring a water bottle with you anywhere you might go, whether you are headed to work, going grocery shopping, or even heading to a friend’s house. Citrus is great for morning sickness adding a little to your water might help a lot as well.
Fill Up on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Start eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You may need to up your calorie consumption a bit, and eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to do that. The fruits and veggies contain essential vitamins and nutrients that a growing baby needs as it develops. Eating these healthy foods is a great way to maintain a healthy weight while providing nourishing food to your little one. You will also want to increase your consumption of whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy.
Exercise during first trimester:
For many people exercising may not be something you may want to do but engaging in low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga may help a lot.That being said, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine.
Avoid harmful substances:
This is an important time to begin living a healthy lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Other changes include limit caffeine intake ,avoid alcohol and illegal drugs. There are many programs out there to help women with substance abuse problems.