Congratulations, you’re going to be a mummy! Now we have that part covered, you must be wondering about all the things you are going to need. Don’t worry all mothers go through this, especially if it’s your first time, so you are not alone. For your first trimester, there are quite a few changes you will notice and things you will need to get by. Let me break it down for you.
Changes in the body
During this phase of your pregnancy your body will go through many changes as your baby grows inside of you. Some of the common changes that you may face include:
- Breast tenderness
- Light bleeding
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Congestion
- Heartburn
- Cramps
- Restlessness
- Acne breakouts
- Flatulence
- Morning sickness
All these sound so much fun don’t they?! But remember while you might get some of these you might not get any and at the same time you are growing a baby!!
Don’t forget to keep hydrated drinking lots of fluids helps decrease constipation, lessen morning sickness, heartburn, and indigestion. Water is good for you anyway. By the way when we say fluids spirits are out and caffeine too – we know it’s not fair, is it?
Top Tips For Your First Trimester
- Proper nutrition
To maintain proper nutrition and to ensure proper development of the baby, increase your intake of dairy products, eat more protein than the norm and increase your calcium consumption as much as possible. Sweet potato, Salmon, eggs, broccoli dark green leafy vegetables, lean meat, and fish liver oil are also very nutritious for you and the baby. Add these to your diet plan not only for your first trimester but throughout your pregnancy. In addition, it is a good idea to take prenatal vitamins, folic acid and iron supplements to prevent any deformities. Speak with your OBGYN before taking any medication but folic acid and pregnancy vitamins will get you off to a good start. We love the zita west range that can be found here: Pregnancy Plan
- First Ultrasound
This is where you will see the first glance of your baby. Your first ultrasound is routine for all pregnant mums, this is done when you are 6 – 9 weeks.
Getting your first ultrasound done is when you get to see that all is developing as it should. It confirms the heartbeat, determines the estimated due date and confirms the number of fetuses – this is also when you may find out you are having twins!
- Pregnancy books
Becoming a mother for the first time can be daunting but rest assured that the emotions you are experiencing are common among mums, whether it’s the first time, second time or third. All mothers go through different emotions each time. Even though there is no fixed manual to guide you, there are some good books available to get familiar with each stage of your pregnancy. Here are some good options to choose from:
- The Unmumsy Mum A-Z - An Inexpert Guide to Parenting
- Parenting The Sh*t Out Of Life: For people who happen to be parents (or might be soon)
- Your New Pregnancy Bible: The Experts' Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
- What to Expect When You're Expecting
- Body pillow
This type of pillow is a must for pregnant mothers. It helps you to relax your muscles and keep you from tossing and twisting around at night. It helps you to get a good night sleep and depending on the design it can be used after your baby is born too for breastfeeding and tummy time.
These pillows come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you choose the one that is right for you? It all depends on the level of comfort you require. I opted for the Theraline pillow because I had twins and found it really perfect for my needs. I also used it as a separator when the twins were little in the side cot to prevent the duvet from creeping in. It was also great for feeding time and tummy time too. Below are options to choose from:
- The Original THERALINE incl. cover "grey"
- Queen Rose Full Body Pregnancy Pillow & Maternity Pillow
- Pharmedoc Full Body Pregnancy Pillow - C Shaped, Jersey Cover, Maternity Support Pillow
- Queens Land Home V-Shaped Pillow Cover of Nursery Orthopedic Maternity Pregnancy Pillow for Comfort & Support
- Comfy cotton bra
You will notice that your breasts are becoming tender and more sensitive during your pregnancy. Even though your breasts will not grow drastically during your first weeks of pregnancy, to ease pressure from your breasts, you are advised to start wearing bras without underwire. A sports bra is also suitable till you reach the stage for a maternity bra. We have some great bra brands to share with you when you get to your second trimester.
- Pregnancy journal
Ahhh… looking back at your journey is a wonderful experience. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. No, you cannot take pictures every time you feel a kick or overwhelmed with emotions but keeping a journal of each trimester will help you feel connected to your baby till it’s born. Maybe one day when your baby is old enough to understand or ready to have a baby of their own, you can share your memories of your experience, the joy, the tears, the pain, the love and the birth. We have popped a few lovely suggestions below:
- My Pregnancy Journal
- How to Grow a Baby Journal
- From Bump to Baby: A Pregnancy Journal (My Baby and Me)
- Bump to Birthday, Pregnancy & First Year Baby Journal
Getting through your first trimester is a critical phase of pregnancy. However, paying attention to your body and making yourself as comfortable as possible will get you safely to the next phase. If you have any questions then there are great online groups such as NetMums, and ChannelMum where you can speak to other mothers going through the same as you. If you already have a child then we also have our KitGirl group which is a private group of lovely mummies who all love bags, fashion and being a mummy (most of the time!) and they have plenty of wisdom between them too if you are in need of advice.
Love always
Keri x
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