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Did you know that a woman becomes pregnant every 5.2 seconds in the United States? If you find yourself in this group, especially for the first time, we'd like to share some helpful first-trimester tips with you.
Every 5.2 seconds in the United States, a woman becomes pregnant and embarks on a journey like no other. In just 280 days, on average, a woman grows and nourishes a child (or perhaps children) inside her, which can seem incredibly daunting, especially for first-time mothers.
To help you navigate the early stages of pregnancy — your first trimester — the team of obstetric specialists at Bay Area Physicians for Women’s Health wants to provide some important tips that we’ll build on throughout your pregnancy.
1. Schedule your first prenatal visit
This is an important step in your pregnancy and one that will shed a good deal of light on your journey ahead. The moment you discover you’re pregnant, we want you to schedule your first prenatal visit with us.
During this all-important first visit, we spend time going over what you can expect and some general dos and don’ts. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to come armed with as many questions as you’d like.
We cover a lot of ground during your first prenatal visit, as we discuss topics such as diet, exercise, supplements, and any health conditions that require monitoring. We also recommend that you bring someone with you to help you organize the onslaught of information.
2. Work through morning sickness
Did you know that about 70% of pregnant women experience some degree of morning sickness? As well, morning sickness isn’t confined to the early part of the day and can strike at any time.
To navigate morning sickness, we suggest:
- Eating smaller meals throughout the day — grazing instead of eating full meals
- Avoiding fatty foods
- Keeping food bland (no spices, etc.)
- Adding ginger to your diet
- Avoiding strong smells
Thankfully, morning sickness most often strikes during the first trimester, and most women leave this side effect behind after a few weeks.
3. Watch what you eat
If you have morning sickness, we’ve already reviewed how you can navigate eating during your first trimester. If you aren’t feeling nauseous, we want you to make an effort to switch your diet over to healthier foods, such as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Whole grains
- Nuts
- Healthy oils, like olive oil
We will also provide you with a list of dietary don’ts that we give you during your prenatal appointment. It’s important that you balance this list with the nutritional needs of you and your growing baby.
4. Keep exercising
You might balk at exercising when you’re pregnant, but we assure you, it’s great for you and your unborn baby. We urge you to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, and we also recommend throwing in some strength training and stretching — yoga is a great practice that checks both boxes.
5. Focus on good, restorative sleep
Some women feel fatigued during the first trimester, while others struggle to sleep. Whatever is happening with you, it’s important to get good restorative sleep each day — about seven to nine hours, at least. We also recommend listening to your body and resting when you’re wiped out.
This list is far from complete, and we’re happy to provide a more detailed and customized pregnancy plan that meets your unique needs. To set that in motion, please contact our office in Mobile, Alabama, to schedule a prenatal consultation today.