Pregnancy is a magnificent period, however, the first trimester can be a little difficult to deal with and rather confusing for most women.
A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during this period, both physically and at a hormonal level.
During the first trimester of pregnancy no real changes are evident, but the body is changing dramatically within a woman’s system.
These changes can bring about quite a bit of discomfort, such as morning sickness, bloating, cramps, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.
In normal circumstances these types of troubles are easy to cure; however, pregnant women have to be careful not to take certain prescriptions during their pregnancy, as these may affect the fetus, especially during the first trimester.
Morning sickness is a common occurrence during the first trimester of pregnancy, and the only way a woman can alleviate this discomfort, is to avoid having a completely empty stomach in the morning or whenever nausea occurs.
The best way to avoid this discomfort is to eat smaller meals throughout the day or use natural herbal remedies, such as ginger tea.
Heartburn can also be a common symptom, so it is best to avoid all food types that have already given you heart burn before.
Try taking ginger and lemon tea as a natural relief. It is a good idea to avoid eating anything for about two hours before you go to bed, as the worse cases of heartburn occur when you are in a lying position.
Eating yogurt or milk may help relieve symptoms of heartburn. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid heartburn inducing foods such as caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, garlic and onions.
Try sleeping with the upper half of your body slightly raised to keep acid down in your stomach.
Another commonly used remedy is a tablespoon of honey mixed with a glass of warm milk. Avoiding smoking as this increases stomach acid content.
Women in their first trimester of pregnancy often experience extreme fatigue, so it is important to get as much rest as you can, with short naps during the day or an earlier night.
Exercise is important, but must not be strenuous, and avoid too many commitments and responsibilities.
Eating properly is also a great help to fight fatigue. Eat foods high in iron and protein and avoid stimulants such as foods and drinks with caffeine in them.
Severe fatigue may be due to anemia, a lack of iron in the blood and the health care provider may prescribe iron tablets.
It is important to take your prenatal vitamins, they help ensure you have the nutrients you need in your body to support the fetus in its growth and help you to avoid fatigue due to nutrition deprivation.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, constipation is a commonly reported symptom. To avoid constipation drink plenty of clear fluids especially early in the day.
Try to eat on a regular schedule and eat balanced meals. Eat foods that are high in fiber such as high fiber fruits, leafy vegetables, and whole-grain bread and cereals.
