5 First Trimester Do’s and Don’ts.

Well, If you didn’t figure it out from the title of this post or from the picture above yet… I’m Pregnant!

Yup, that’s right I’ve got a baby girl growing inside of me and I’m extremely excited about it.

Something you also might have noticed is that this is my first post in a month or so and that’s because pregnancy has been kicking my ass.

I am currently 4 months along and for the first 3 1/2 I thought I was dying, everyday. Morning sickness? Try all day, everyday, sickness. Not to mention the exhaustion. Did I just get hit by a truck? No, no I’m just pregnant… ;/

The truth is, for some of us pregnancy is pretty tough and all those remedies people try to say will help, well they really don’t help at all.

The only cure for feeling like crap during pregnancy is time. You just have to wait it out and I’m actually one of the lucky ones. My sickness only lasted through the first trimester, for some women it can last throughout the entire pregnancy…(AHHH!!!)

But hey, I’m not complaining, I know it’s all worth it in the end. But what I am saying is that if you’re pregnant, you’re not alone. And below I’ve got some things that I hope will help you through this crazy first trimester.

Here are 5 Do’s and Don’ts I’ve learned thus far. 🙂

5 First Trimester Do’s and Don’ts

1. Do move your body, Don ‘t become a couch potato. The first trimester can be very exhausting and moving your body might be the last thing you want to do. But believe me this, your second trimester will thank you for keeping your body moving when you can. If doing your regular movement routines seems like too much, try walking. Walking not only gets your blood circulating but it also gives you time to get some fresh air. I know it’s easy to lay on the couch and cocoon yourself, but your body needs rest and movement. Find a good balance.

2. Do eat when you’re hungry, Don’t eat for two. It’s very easy to get into the mindset of eating for two the moment you find out you are pregnant but the truth is you are never really eating for two. In the first trimester you only have to eat 150 extra calories a day. That’s a small yogurt, not an extra cheeseburger. Keep in mind that you should eat when you are hungry, but don’t let your mind trick you into eating large amounts of food that you and your baby just don’t need. Also, try to eat REAL food, apples with nut butter, veggies with hummus or a homemade smoothie. Real food has real nutrients, feed your baby great food.

3. Do drink a lot of water, Don’t leave home without it. One of the first symptoms of being pregnant is dry mouth. Hydration is very important during pregnancy so buy a water jug and keep it on you always. If you are working out, remember to drink plenty of water to hydrate before and after.

4, Do explore different prenatal vitamins, Don’t settle for the first one the doctor gives you.  One of the best changes I made during my first trimester was switching prenatal vitamins. I didn’t realize it immediately but my prenatal was one of the things contributing to my sickness. I recommend trying a chewable vitamin like Smarty Pants Prenatal Vitamins, not only is this company one of my favorites for their mission, but their vitamins taste amazing as well!!

5. Do sleep more, Don’t try to overdo it. You are literally making a human. That means your body is working hard 24/7 and that’s why you feel so freaking tired all the time. When you need to rest, REST! Don’t feel bad about it, give your body what it needs. 🙂