You’re in your first trimester. What to expect during pregnancy is an exciting time filled with joy, giddiness, and questions. Understanding what to expect during the first trimester can help ease some of your anxieties about your changing body and growing baby. From knowing what symptoms are typical in the beginning, to what types of medical care or tests you need, checking off the beginning basics can help make your pregnancy more of a smooth path than a bumpy road.
Above anything else, it’s important to understand that the first trimester is “A time of rapid changes for the mother and baby,” nurse Beth Hawkes from NurseCode told Mom.com. Plan for these changes, so you are prepared.
Changes in your body: Extreme fatigue in the first trimester
At home: First trimester diet and exercise
Though it is still early on, your diet will likely change in the first trimester. You may also enjoy planning for the baby’s room and other needs.
First trimester diet
What helps nausea during pregnancy’s first trimester is a common question and one that will affect your diet. You may experience food aversions early on and not feel like eating a whole lot. It’s important to do your best to get 2,000 calories a day through three meals a day and two snacks. Go for the healthy choices when your body feels like it, getting ample amounts of protein, calcium, and iron. You should also start taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid.
Nesting and setting up baby’s room
It may be a little early to start nesting and setting up the baby’s room, but you can start to enjoy looking at clothes, stuffed animals, and furniture. This is the time to start researching things like strollers and car seats. Ramp up your knowledge on these critical items so that you can make an educated decision when the time comes to shop for them.
