The first trimester was kind of weird. I wasn’t really showing at first (which is normal), I didn’t have my first doctor’s appointment until week 8, and there were changes happening not only physically but mentally, too!
There are a few things that helped me get through the first trimester, and I wanted to share them today. If you’re not pregnant or don’t plan to be anytime soon, don’t worry – not all of my posts are going to become mom-focused! I’m planning to do pregnancy/motherhood posts on Wednesdays, so if you’re not interested, just check in for Monday or Friday posts instead!
Clothes You Need for the First Trimester
While I used the elastic trick on my pants for most of the first trimester, I discovered the belly band and wish I had found it earlier. Those things are incredible. I might even hang onto them after pregnancy just for Thanksgiving and other holidays 😉
For the days you feel a little bigger, these tunics are awesome. They don’t show anything, so they’re perfect for work, and they’re under $30 each! I have three different colors so far!
I’ve worn tank tops under pretty much every shirt since going to Catholic high school (I think it’s a uniform thing), but I found them to make me more comfortable once I got pregnant. When I was trying to hide my little bump from work, it made me feel better to have that extra layer of tank top!
Because my favorite bra runs around $70, and I changed bra sizes really fast (TMI?), I bought some of these and was really pleased with them. They run sales often, too, so I think I paid around $20 each! (They’re actually on sale right now for $18 each)
Sweatpants. Really awesome and comfy sweatpants. (These are my favorites!)
Leggings for the days when you just can’t put on jeans!
Books and Apps for the First Trimester
My two favorite apps are Ovia Pregnancy and BabyCenter. Both of them give you updates on how big your baby is (in relation to a fruit or vegetable, obv), but they each give different information on what is going on with you. I primarily use Ovia Pregnancy to track things like symptoms or what happened at doctor’s appointments.
But a word of advice: Don’t jump into the forums on either app! It’s too much of people worrying about what certain symptoms could mean and asking questions in there instead of calling their doctors… It’s not worth the extra stress reading the forums.
I also bought a baby bump book to keep track of what goes on during the pregnancy. I was so much better about keeping it updated during the first trimester than I have been lately!
A book I’ve loved is one I bought for T, but I really like it, too! There are sections on what’s going on with your baby’s development but also little sections dedicated to what’s going on with you – perfect for your significant other to understand where you are physically and emotionally. (I actually like it more than the pregnant woman’s bible, What to Expect When You’re Expecting!)
Non-Tangible Needs for the First Trimester
I’m so lucky to have a husband who has no problem taking on extra things. Like I told you in my First Trimester post about my pregnancy experience so far, it can be exhausting. And having someone to help pick up the slack helps SO much. Whether that’s a spouse or someone to clean your house or just using Peapod to deliver your groceries, those things are all necessities!
Patience with yourself. Being a little bit Type A, it can be frustrating when you can’t do everything you want to do because of physical limitations – but this is the time when you should totally take advantage. Enjoy every time a stranger holds the door for you. Take that nap when you feel you need it. Be patient with yourself! You’re growing a human.
A doctor nearby. I’d highly recommend using a doctor who is a reasonable driving distance from your home. I had thought about going with a doctor who came highly recommended but was an extra half hour’s drive, and in the end I went with someone very close by. And I’m SO glad that I did. You’re at the doctor every month to begin, and then when you hit the end of the second trimester your appointments go to every 2 weeks. Having a doctor who’s not nearby could cause you to spend more time away from work or home.
An understanding manager. I still work full-time in marketing, and luckily I am in a good work situation. If I had stayed at my previous job, however, there’s no way I would be able to get to a doctor’s appointment every month without feeling supremely guilty about it. If you have a manager who might be less than understanding, set expectations in the beginning (when you share your big news).
Leave a Reply