The First Trimester: Adjusting to changes

Overall, I think I've been super lucky so far in my pregnancy. I had the usual anxieties during the first trimester, but these slowly receded the further past the 12 week mark I got. Generally I felt pretty good, though writing this has reminded me of all of the weird changes that took place. My mantra became, and still is, 'ride the wave'!

Below are the changes which stand out, along with what I did to try to reduce their impact.

1. I totally went off my usual breakfasts.

   Almost as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I no longer wanted the breakfasts I'd been having for years. A protein smoothie was my go-to, with porridge, yoghurt or toast and eggs on rotation. None of these appealed even slightly. The only thing I wanted was Weetabix with a firm banana! So this is what I had.

   
   

   Because I was having it so regularly, I tried to optimise it as much as possible. My perfect (for me!) formula was organic whole milk, plus 3 tsp of Kiki Health collagen peptides, 3 organic Weetabix, a firm banana, and occasionally some defrosted strawberries if the mood took me. This was pretty much my only 'craving', but I'm pleased to report that normal service has resumed and I'm back on my smoothies. Let yourself have what you crave, but try and make it the best version possible.

   
   

2. My skin went crazy.

   This didn't surprise me, but it did really go wild. I kept reminding myself that this was all part of the process and to 'ride the wave.' As this was primarily due to my hormones completely changing, there wasn't much I could do.

   
   

   All I did was strip back my skincare routine, which I've kept up. In the morning I wash my face with water, use the Pai eye cream, and then the Avene skin recovery cream. I keep my makeup very light - usually just Shiseido concealer (which I've used for years but seems to be discontinued?!) and By Terry bronzer. In the evening I take this off with Garnier micellar water, then wash my face with the Pai oil cleanser or Cerave hydrating cleanser, followed by the Vichy rich moisturiser. Once a week I'll use the Medik8 press and glow tonic before my moisturiser. The wave seems to have subsided for now at least, and my skin is much much happier.

   
   

3. I was very tired.

   As in dragging myself out of bed in the morning and napping on the sofa in the afternoons/evenings tired.

   
   

   The best thing you can do for this is to give your body the rest it needs - nap if you can and don't fill up your schedule too much, say no to things. Try and eat meals at a regular time - roughly every 4 hours e.g. breakfast at 9am, lunch at 1pm, light snack at 4:30/5pm, supper at 7pm-ish and be in bed by 10pm. My prenatal also helps to energise me as the B vitamins are in a form which the body can easily use.

   
   

4. Bloating and constipation were the norm.

   The first couple of months were a bit confusing stomach-wise. As my husband kindly said early on - "it's hard to know what's mother and what's baby." Let me tell you, it was primarily mother. It's only now, coming up to week 19, that I'm starting to feel like I'm actually 'showing.' What I thought was me showing in week 8 was in fact just bloating...

   
   

   The best thing I found for this and constipation was 1) to keep hydrated - for some reason drinking water felt like a chore all of a sudden, 2) keep moving - I try to walk 7000+ steps a day, I do F45 strength classes 2-3 times a week and I've started pregnancy yoga, and 3) a couple of dessert spoons of chia seeds in organic yoghurt daily. Also make sure your prenatal doesn't contain very high levels of iron, and the iron should be in citrate or bisglycinate form, avoid the sulphate or fumarate forms as these can block you up. I take the Biocare Methyl Pregnancy Multinutrient now, which I love.

5. I was hot hot hot.

   We've been sleeping with the window wide open every night, even when it was -5 outside, and I'm always in summer pyjamas. I felt like there was a furnace inside me, especially at night, which would usually wake me up at least once.

   
   

   I think because of this, the thought of any hot drinks, soup, or porridge - warm liquid essentially - was a complete no no. I listened to this but made sure not to go in the opposite direction. Iced drinks, especially in winter, can dampen your digestive fire, which can contribute to the bloating and constipation, so stick to room temp.

   
   

6. Cramp!

   This particular affliction seems to have followed me into my second trimester and is making its presence more known. It usually strikes at night, when you're least expecting it.

   
   

   The best thing I've found are the Elete electrolytes. I don't take these daily, although if my cramp becomes daily then I probably will, but I'll add 20 drops to a glass of water the day after I've had cramp. Our blood volume increases in pregnancy and changing hormones impact our fluid balance. This means muscle contraction and relaxation can get out of whack. Magnesium is essential for enabling the muscle to relax after contracting, and potassium and sodium support nerve signalling, so the muscles know when to relax. Electrolytes are our friends.

7. I could feel my pelvis changing.

   From the middle to the end of my first trimester I had a strange feeling in my pelvis, especially after walking or standing for a long time. The best way I can describe it is that I could almost feel it widening.

   
   

   Having a little sit down after walking for a long time helped, as did standing in a slightly different way if I was on my feet for a while, like when washing up. I learned this in pregnancy yoga - stand with your feet hip-width apart, slightly bend your knees and tuck your pelvis.

8. Occasional nausea in the evenings.

   I was super lucky and got off very lightly with this one. I would sometimes have a slight feeling of sickness, but that was pretty much the extent of it.

   
   

   Having some crackers or oatcakes to hand was helpful, as well as deep breaths.

   
   

9. Snack attack!

   I'd often think I wasn't hungry, and then I'd suddenly have to eat instantly. This meant I was never without snacks when I went out.

   
   

   I'd always have a pack of Nairns organic seeded oatcakes in my bag, and then I upgraded and started carrying around a freezer bag with slices of cheese to add to them! Gruyere, Comte and Doux de Montagne are my go-tos.

10. I became a blood hound.

    I could, and still can, although my 'powers' have slightly diminished, smell every single thing. This was especially difficult on public transport, when all of a sudden you can smell cigarettes, sickly aftershave, hair oil, moisturiser, and people's breath all at once. No thanks.

    
    

    I didn't leave the house without lavender oil, which I'd dab onto my wrists and inhale if any of these offending scents got too close.

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If you're in your first trimester now, congratulations! Try and embrace the changes and remember they won't be forever. Ride the wave!

If you'd like any extra support, please do check out In Six or book in for a free Curiosity Call. I'd love to hear from you.

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