Difficult First Trimester Survival Tips for Mom to Be

This post may contain affiliate links that I may receive a commission from if you click & buy. In addition, the information on this site is NOT intended to be medical advice. See my full policy for more information.

Share this post with all your friends!

Are you searching for first-trimester survival tips during your pregnancy? Listen, pregnancy isn’t always a piece of cake, but don’t worry, we’re here to help!

With my first pregnancy, everything felt like it was as smooth as butter for the most part.

My second pregnancy, well, that one has been ROUGH! I spent more of my time looking for tips to survive a difficult first trimester than anything else! And let me tell you, it was so hard to find what worked.

If you’re anything like me, I had ALL-DAY debilitating sickness. I actually was hospitalized and started on medications for this.

I felt horrible. I also was trying to balance feeling like total crap all day and somehow care for my toddler at the same time.

So if you’re finding yourself in the same exact boat, I’m going to share some of the tips I used that helped me survive this horrible first trimester.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to take the place of medical advice in any way. Please seek out medical care if you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy.

Is the first trimester of pregnancy the hardest?

You’ve probably heard that the first trimester of pregnancy is the hardest.

Unfortunately, this does tend to be true for many expecting moms.

As your body is flooding with hormones during the early pregnancy stage a lot of moms experience some intense side effects. Although, there’s also plenty of moms who will tell you they didn’t experience any negative side effects at all.

Another thing to keep in mind is if you’ve has a difficult pregnancy before, there’s a higher chance your second, third, fourth, etc…will also follow a similar path.

Common first trimester pregnancy symptoms

If you’re a first-time mom, you’re probably wondering what the heck can you expect in the first trimester?!

Below are just some of the common symptoms mom to be may experience:

• Morning Sickness (sometimes, all day sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum)

• Exhaustion

• Tender/sore breasts

• Mood swings

• Weight gain

• Food aversions

Tips to survive a difficult first trimester

If you’re still here desperate for those tips, don’t worry mama, I got you!

I want to make it clear these are tips I personally used while I felt like all hope was lost during my challenging first trimester.

It was literally so bad I’d spend days crying hovering over the toilet with my poor toddler not understanding what the heck was going on.

So without further ado, let’s get to these tips!

1. Drink all the liquids you can!

Although I spent most of my days puking anything I tried to eat or drink up, I did my best to force myself to sip on small amounts of liquids throughout the day.

This is because I knew how easy it would be to become dehydrated (which is how I ended up hospitalized the first time around).

I found using a cup with a straw worked best for me. No idea why, but I tend to find straws comforting when I don’t feel well.

Even if you’re just able to take little baby sips, do it, girl! The last thing you need is to become severely dehydrated to a point where you end up in the hospital away from your family at home. It was seriously no fun.

This is the little straw cup I used by the way. Super easy to lug around and overall pretty cheap too!

2. Rest up.

Seriously, get your rest! The first trimester can be rough as your body is flooded with hormones preparing to create this new little life over the next few months!

You will likely find yourself extra sleepy or exhausted (especially if you have a wild toddler running around as I do). So, if the opportunity presents itself, get your rest & relaxation on!

3. Eat small but frequent meals.

You might find it difficult to even think about food if you’re having wild food aversions or even morning sickness.

However, oftentimes most moms-to-be experience nausea from an empty stomach.

So if you can, keep a few crackers or light snacks in your purse that you can munch on throughout the day to prevent from feeling extra crummy!

4. Stay close to bathrooms at all times.

Whether you simply need to go pee for the 100th time or feel like you might barf, staying close by to a restroom is always a good idea!

If you’re going out with some friends, be sure to scope out the bathroom situation so you’ll know how to get there ASAP when you need it!

5. Eat a balanced diet.

I get it. Sometimes, eating healthy can be REALLY HARD when everything makes you feel sick just by thinking of it.

However, making sure you’re consuming a balanced diet of proteins, fats, carbs, and all those micronutrients are extremely important for YOU and YOUR BABY!

Plus, you might find by eating a balanced mean, you feel less sick and much more energized throughout the day!

6. Take a high-quality prenatal vitamin.

If you can’t stomach the idea of taking a pill every morning, don’t worry, this prenatal has got you covered!

With the NEEDED Prenatal/Postpartum Vitamin, you have the option to choose from a pill or powder!

That’s right, you can mix in their yummy powder into a morning breakfast smoothie to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need for you and your growing baby.

Plus, keeping those micronutrients in line with NEEDED may be just what you need to counterbalance some of those frustrating first-trimester side effects you’ve been dealing with.

What should you NOT do in your first trimester?

Just as there are tips on how to get through your tough first trimester, there are also some things you should steer clear of.

1) DON’T eat raw meats or food products

Ok, so this one kind of carries it’s importance throughout your entire pregnancy.

But starting in your first trimester, you should definitely avoid any kind of raw meats or even eggs!

If you’re a sucker for deli meat & sandwiches like I am, simply pan fry those little slices of meat before sticking them on your sandwich, I promise it tastes JUST as good (if not, even better!)

2) Monitor your caffeine intake

I actually just wrote an entire blog post about caffeine and breastfeeding that has some great information on how caffeine is metabolized. But in the first trimester, when the baby is forming and literally becoming a baby, it’s best to play it safe and limit your intake to LESS THAN 200mg/day.

3) Steer clear of jolty amusement park rides

Many people don’t really take this one into consideration, but most amusement park rides can be pretty jolty and whippy.

This is definitely a BIG no-no starting in your first trimester throughout your pregnancy. Especially in rides that strap you in with lots of pressure on your abdomen. Not something worth the risk if you ask my opinion.

4) Avoid activities with a falling risk

Again, another thing that you should be mindful of throughout your entire pregnancy, however very important in the beginning.

Some activities you’ll want to be extra careful of (or avoided):

• Carrying heavy objects

• Walking up/downstairs

• Ice skating

• Contact sports

• Climbing up or down a step stool

5) DON’T ignore these signs

Within every trimester, you’ll notice different signs you should be paying attention to. Signs that can indicate you need to see your doctor or at least notify them right away.

• Any kind of vaginal bleeding

• Painful or severe pelvic/abdominal pain

• Lightheaded feeling that won’t subside

• Painful or inability to urinate

• Severe nausea that lasts all day long

• Inability to eat food for over 12-24 hours

Seriously, if you have any of the signs above or just have a question about symptoms you’re having, reach out to your healthcare provider.

How did you survive your difficult first trimester? Drop those comments below to help another mom out!

♥ Recommended PREGNANCY Posts:
>> Preparing for Labor & Delivery (tips from a L&D Nurse)

>> What to do when you find out you’re pregnant?!

>> Things NOT to do after giving birth

>> Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom, Baby & Dad

Share this post with all your friends!