Pregnancy can be an exciting time in your life, especially when you first receive the joyous news. Aside from all the happiness this news may bring, pregnancy is also accompanied by a variety of symptoms, especially in the first trimester, that can be difficult to endure. While not all women experience the same symptoms, knowing ahead of time what they are may help you be better prepared for what is to come.
Nausea and Vomiting
Also known as morning sickness, vomiting and nausea can strike at any time of the day or night. According to Pregnancy-info.net, a little more than half of pregnant women suffer from this first trimester symptom. It is due to the initial increase of hormones needed by your body to help sustain the pregnancy. In most cases, these side effects typically do not last past your third month, the last month of the first trimester.
To combat morning sickness, the Mayo Clinic recommends drinking plenty of fluids, especially ginger ale; this may help settle your stomach and will prevent dehydration. Try to steer clear of foods that make you nauseous, and eat foods low in fat that digest easily. Eating smaller meals frequently through the day may also help and will ensure you and your baby are getting the nutrition you both need.
Extreme Fatigue
During your first trimester, you may sleep soundly for 10 hours and still wake up feeling exhausted. This is normal and, according to the Mayo Clinic, is your body's way of helping you prepare for the pregnancy. If you feel tired, it is a signal that you need to rest regardless of how much sleep you may have gotten the night before. Eventually this will pass as you progress into your second and third trimesters.
Pregnancy-info.com recommends getting eight hours of sleep each night and nap through the day when you can. Ask others for help with household chores and make sure you're eating healthy; any dietary deficiency can contribute to your fatigue. Moments when you have a bit of energy, take advantage of it and take a walk. Exercise will help you feel rejuvenated and may combat some of your tiredness.
Sore Breasts
As with many of the first trimester pregnancy symptoms, hormones are the underlying culprit when you have sore breasts, which are due to an increase in both progesterone and estrogen. Your mammary (milk) glands are also swelling in preparation for breastfeeding. To help ease your pain, try wearing a supportive bra.
Increased Urination
The bathroom will soon become your best friend. As your uterus grows to support the baby, it begins pressing on your bladder, forcing you to go to the bathroom more frequently. In addition, your body begins increasing fluid production for both you and the baby. The excess fluid is then processed by your kidneys and sent to your bladder for excretion. Relief comes during the fourth month of pregnancy when the uterus rises higher into your abdomen.
