Pregnancy can best be described with the iconic Ron Weasley quote: “You’re gonna suffer, but you’re gonna be happy about it”. The first trimester was miserable and magical all at once. I was so sick but also so grateful that I was creating a human.

What Saved My Life?

Sleep

Allowing myself extra time to rest. Sometimes this meant resting in the middle of the day when I felt the worst, and catching up on work at night. Honestly, I was so exhausted, I would have fallen asleep on my computer if I didn’t go lie down.

Tums

I like the Tums with Gas Relief, Chewy Bites, lemon and strawberry flavors

Gas-X

I took this most often just before bed.

Therapy

It’s like getting a big mental hug.

Floor Fans

I would just randomly break out in a sweat.

Snacks

I was starving all of the time. I couldn’t eat enough. Big meals sometimes seemed to make the gas, heartburn, and constipation worse. Bread, chips, and applesauce became my best friends.

Family & Friends

Just having people there to support you, change the cat box, listen to you vent, and share their experiences

A Nice Thermos

I craved water, plus I knew it was important to drink a lot of water.

Mint Gum

Sometimes chewing mint gum helped with the nausea and always helped with the bad, metallic taste in my mouth

Neck Massager

I got the Shiatsu Neck Massager Pillow with Heat from Amazon. Warning: This is the ‘I want results massager’. I only use it every other day. I don’t feel sore from the massage while walking around the next day but I definitely feel the soreness if I try to use the massager 2 days in a row.

Heating Pad

For cramping and back pain

Patience

Work: I just have to accept that I cannot get as much done as I used to.

Pregnancy: It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Well…That Was A Waste Of Money

Sea-Bands

This is a hustle! These don’t work at all.

Ginger Tea

I actually really love tea, so I was desperate for this to alleviate my nausea. Unfortunately, I think it just made me have to pee more.

Unisom + B6

I don’t know if this helped with the nausea or not but after night 2 of trying it, I discovered it was causing me to sleep walk when I woke up washing my hair in the shower.

Knee Pillow

It’s called the “ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow for Sciatica Relief, Back Pain, Leg Pain, Pregnancy, Hip and Joint Pain - Memory Foam Wedge Contour”. I was sold when they said it had memory foam, but, in my experience, the only thing it remembered to do was pop out from between my legs. Now I will say my thighs bare a striking resemblance to Ursula the Seawitch’s tentacles, so if you’re smaller then this might work for you.

1st Trimester Essentials