Adapting to Pregnancy: First Trimester
As your body adjusts, you may have to change or limit your daily activities. You’ll need more rest. You may also need to use the energy you have more wisely.
Eat stomach-friendly foods like cottage cheese, crackers, or bread throughout the day.
Your Changing Body
Almost every part of your body is affected as you adapt to pregnancy. The uterus and cervix will begin to soften right away. You may not look very pregnant during the first three months. But you are likely to have some common signs of early pregnancy:
It’s Not Too Late to Start Good Habits
What matters most is protecting your baby from this moment on. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs, now is the time to stop. If you need help, talk with your health care provider.
Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage or having a low-birth-weight baby. If you smoke, quit now.
Alcohol and drugs have been linked with miscarriage, birth defects, mental retardation, and low birth weight. Do not drink alcohol or take drugs.
Tips to Relieve Nausea
Although nausea can occur at any time of the day, it may be worse in the morning. To help prevent nausea:
Eat small, light meals at frequent intervals.
Get up slowly. Eat a few unsalted crackers before you get out of bed.
Drink water with lemon slices.
Eat an ice pop in your favorite flavor.
Ask your health care provider about taking ginger or vitamin B6 for nausea and vomiting.
Talk with your health care provider if you take vitamins that upset your stomach.
Work Concerns
The end of the first trimester is a good time to discuss working during pregnancy with your employer. Follow your health care provider’s advice if your job requires you to stand for a long time, work with hazardous tools, or even sit at a desk all day. Your workspace, workload, or scheduled hours may need to be adjusted. Perhaps you can change body postures more often or take an extra break.
Advice for Travel
Talk to your health care provider first, but the second trimester may be the best time for any travel. You may be advised to avoid certain trips while you’re pregnant. Food and water can be concerns in developing countries. Travel by car is a good choice, as you can stop, get out, and stretch. Bring snacks and water along. Fasten the lap belt below your belly, low over your hips. Also be sure to wear the shoulder harness.
Intimacy
Unless your health care provider tells you to, there is no reason to stop having sex while you’re pregnant. You or your partner may notice changes in desire. Desire may be less in the first trimester, due to nausea and fatigue. In the second trimester, sex may be very enjoyable. The third trimester can be a challenge comfort-wise. Try different positions and see what’s best for you both.