Pregnancy is a blessing! But it is not without its discomforts. During the first trimester, your hormones are going wild preparing the perfect environment to support your growing baby. Keep reading for the five most uncomfortable symptoms in the first trimester and some ways to get relief.
1. “Morning” Sickness
Morning sickness is quite the misnomer. It can range from anytime of day sickness, sometimes sickness, or all day every day sickness. Most women have some form of nausea during early pregnancy. Some will have vomiting too. In rare cases, pregnant women can have severe morning sickness called “hyperemesis gravidarum” which is medical jargon for excessive vomiting due to pregnancy. If the sickness is so severe that no remedies are helping or you can’t keep any food or water down, you should call your doctor immediately. They may want to admit you to the hospital to give you and baby intravenous hydration. They can also come up with a good medication regimen before you go home.
If you experience morning sickness, you may want to try a few non-medication remedies first. Vitamin B6 (also called pyridoxine) has been shown to help nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Ginger chews are known to provide nausea relief, particularly if it’s chemotherapy related. But small studies have also shown improvement in pregnancy related nausea. 1 Aromatherapy with peppermint essential oils may also help relieve pregnancy related nausea. Although, admittedly there have only been small studies with mixed results. 2, 3 Ask your provider if you could benefit from these remedies. And if these natural remedies do not help, talk to your provider about the possibility of prescription medications.
Vitamin B6
Personally, I use a lot of Nature Made products because they are USP certified. This means they are third party tested to verify that the product contains the supplement that is actually advertised and does not contain harmful contaminants. Supplements are not tested for safety or efficacy by the FDA, so choosing supplements that are tested by a third party (not the manufacturer) is a good way to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.
Chimes Ginger Chews
There are a lot of options when it comes to ginger chews, Chimes is one of the brands that my family enjoys.
NOW Foods Essential Oil Peppermint
According to their website, NOW essential oils undergo many tests to ensure quality. This includes third party testing with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to test the purity of the oil.4 You can use essential oils by placing a few drops into your diffuser or by diluting it in a moisturizing oil that is safe for skin before applying to non-sensitive areas. Essential oils can be very irritating to skin, so do not apply undiluted oils on your skin and avoid sensitive areas like around the eyes.
2. Constipation and heartburn
Pregnancy hormones are flooding your system, and your body is trying to absorb every drop of nutrients that it can from your food. Your whole gastrointestinal tract has slowed down to help with this.5 You’re also taking a prenatal vitamin with iron in it which can make constipation symptoms even worse. Feeling heart burn, backed up, and bloated can be extremely uncomfortable. You’ll be happy to know the two common over the counter remedies listed below are considered safe for occasional use during pregnancy. Be sure to clear it with your doctor before trying them out.
3. Food cravings and aversions
Everyone has heard the stories of pregnant women with odd cravings. You may experience unexpected and inexplicable cravings for certain foods: oranges, pickles and ice cream, cereal, and more. Your body will naturally crave the nutrients it needs to support your growing baby.
You may also experience some food aversions. Some people cannot stand fish, others can’t stand the smell of raw meat. Or you may be extremely sensitive to the smell of overripe fruit. Your body’s sense of smell has intensified and certain foods may be unappealing at this time.
Fortunately, these symptoms are normal and usually food sensitivities will go away once you are out of the first trimester.
4. Fatigue
Your body’s metabolism is working overtime to provide for your rapidly developing unborn baby. You may feel tired or find yourself falling asleep during the day. Feeling tired is completely normal, particularly during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Try to go to bed earlier and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep at night. If you need a 20-60 minute nap around mid-day, take it! You body is hard at work nourishing a baby!
5. Breast tenderness
As soon as you get pregnant, your body’s hormones are in overdrive. The rises in progesterone and estrogen in particular lead to the development of mature mammary glands in the breasts. These glands are responsible for producing milk for baby. As these tissues develop, breast tissue expands which can cause tenderness. Using cold or warm compresses and wearing looser clothing may help alleviate the discomfort. If the pain is particularly severe, your provider may recommend using Acetaminophen for a short time to obtain relief. These pains usually improve as pregnancy progresses.
Remember that every woman experiences pregnancy differently. And a woman’s second pregnancy may be entirely different than her first! Whether it is your first pregnancy or seventh, it is important for you to discuss any symptoms with your pregnancy provider before trying any medications or home remedies.