The first trimester is filled with the most annoying pregnancy symptoms. Each day could have you feeling overwhelmed with so many symptoms.
One day you can’t stay awake. The next day you’re plagued with heartburn.
It seems to never end. Worst of all, these annoying first trimester symptoms can interfere with your day-to-day activities.
All the symptoms you experience during the first trimester can be blamed on pregnancy hormones.
Your body is working overtime to prepare for a growing baby.
With pregnancy hormones making major changes to your body, how do you get rid of the annoying symptoms?
Don’t worry, those pregnancy symptoms won’t last forever.
Find relief from your most annoying pregnancy symptoms with this guide to everything you need to survive the first trimester of pregnancy.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Diarrhea
Although it’s most common in the third trimester, diarrhea can begin in the early part of the first trimester of pregnancy.
You will know if you’re experiencing this annoying symptom if you have three or more loose bowel movements in one day.
During pregnancy, diarrhea can be caused by the following:
Rapid Hormone Changes: Pregnancy hormones cause your digestive system to either slow down or speed up. Some women experience diarrhea as an early symptom compared to constipation.
Prenatal vitamins: If you haven’t read the label on your prenatal vitamin, you’re taking a massive amount of vitamins. Depending on your diet before pregnancy, those newly introduced vitamins may cause diarrhea.
Diet Changes: Now that you’re pregnant you may find certain foods cause stomach upset. Another reason for diarrhea related to diet changes may have to do with the healthy foods you’re eating. Newly introduced fruits and vegetables can cause your stomach to speed up production leading to diarrhea.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to treating diarrhea (especially while pregnant) is to HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
To treat diarrhea in the first trimester try…
A Water Bottle
Increase your water intake! This seems simple enough.
But to help you drink more water, try purchasing a BPA free water bottle you can refill when needed, especially on the go.
Another option is to buy a water bottle infuser.
That way you could add in extra nutrients from fruits to replenish lost nutrients from diarrhea.
Pedialyte
Pedialyte is not just for kids. This drink is essential for anyone (even adults) who are having diarrhea. Pedialyte will replenish lost nutrients like salt, potassium, and sugar.
A delicate balance your body needs!
Kaopectate
Kaopectate is an anti-diarrheal medication that’s considered safe to take during pregnancy.
However, it should only be taken in limited amounts.
Always discuss with your doctor before taking any medications during pregnancy.
Bland Foods
Try to eliminate foods that cause stomach irritation like spicy foods.
Every time I was hit with a bout of diarrhea during pregnancy I stuck to a simple diet of bland foods like bread, bananas, crackers and etc.
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Constipation
On the other end of the spectrum of stomach discomfort is constipation.
Many women experience first trimester constipation as a result of taking a prenatal vitamin.
Prenatals are loaded with iron. Iron has a tendency to cause constipation.
Along with prenatal vitamins, constipation occurs as a result of pregnancy hormones.
Increased pregnancy hormones throughout the first trimester cause your intestinal muscles to relax.
This causes your stomach muscles to slow down causing constipation.
To Treat Constipation Try…
Extra Fiber
A diet high in fiber between 25-30 grams will help ease constipation.
Eat fiber found naturally in fruits, breakfast cereals (Fiber One), whole grains and vegetables.
Many snacks on the market today have added fiber.
Here’s a few options:
- Fiber One Snack Bars
- Popcorn
- Sunflower Seeds
- Almonds
If you still are not consuming enough fiber through food you can always try a fiber supplement.
The chewable tablet or gummie kind is easy and effective!
Tea
Pink Stork sells a tea specifically for constipation relief. This company sells amazing products for the mama-to-be.
Drinking a glass of tea each day is a easy way to relieve annoying constipation in the first trimester of pregnancy.
A Gentle Laxative
Many OBGYN’s recommend the stool softener Colace. However, I have used another stool softener during pregnancy with great results.
Healthy Mama Move It Along Pregnancy Constipation Relief contains the pregnancy safe ingredient docusate sodium. Both of these products work wonders for relieving occasional constipation.
Nausea
When you think of annoying first trimester pregnancy symptoms, nausea always comes to find.
Nausea can occur with or without vomiting. Just because you’re not vomiting doesn’t mean you’re not miserable.
Nausea is not restricted to the morning. It strikes at anytime of day.
I always got nausea without vomiting that would persist for hours in the morning, then come back in the evening.
For me, nausea always got worse with movement. Simply walking around the house some days was enough to make me sick.
So what are some options to relieve nausea in the first trimester?
Try The Following…
Prenatal Vitamin
Nowadays, there’s prenatal vitamins specifically designed with an anti-nausea formula.
If you’re having nausea every day of your pregnancy thus far, you may want to think about making the switch to another prenatal.
Here’s some options for anti nausea prenatal vitamins:
Nausea lozenges
The same concept as cough drops except they’re specifically for easing nausea. Every time you feel nauseous, just pop a lozenge in.
I used these throughout the first trimester. The only downfall to lozenges is that you can get sick of them, quick.
Depending on how often you have nausea, you could be sucking lozenges for hours.
But they are good to have on hand if you’re away from home.
Two brands of lozenges that work great are Preggie Pop Drops and Healthy Mama Nip The Nausea!
Tea
If there’s a tea for constipation, there’s a tea for nausea. The best thing about anti-nausea tea is it can be sipped on throughout the day.
Like the nausea lozenges, you may get tired of sipping tea all day.
To relieve the annoying symptom of nausea, try one of these morning sickness teas.
Sea Band
If you don’t know what a Sea Band is… It’s a knitted bracelet with a plastic nub you wear around your wrists. So how does it work?
It works by applying acupressure to a specific point known as the Nei Kuan on the inside of your wrist.
This pressure point relieves motion sickness and nausea.
While you may find yourself a little skeptical… Give it a try!
Sea Band is amazing for relieving nausea. My nausea always get’s worse with motion.
These little knitted bracelets do wonders for relieving nausea.
For under $10, it’s worth the investment to try them out for your nausea.
Especially if tea’s and lozenges make you gag.
Best yet… Sea Band can be worn all day long! You can even use them when you’re not pregnant to relieve any type of motion sickness when driving, boating or riding a bus.
Headaches
Since your body is on pregnancy hormone overload, you may experience more headaches.
Along with hormone surges, your blood volume has increased to meet the needs of a growing baby.
Headaches are most common during the first and third trimesters.
During the third trimester, headaches are the result of added tension from the weight of your baby.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t experience added tension in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Added stress causes tension headaches.
So where does the added stress come from?
- Low Blood Sugar
- Dehydration
- Mental Stress
- Lack Of Sleep
To relieve headaches, try…
An Icepack
An icepack placed at the back of your neck will relieve tension. Of course, this also means rest is required!
So listen to your body. Kick up your feet and rest your head against an icepack until your headache gets better or disappears.
Essential Oils
This is an all-natural option and requires little effort on your part.
All you have to do is plug an oil diffuser in and breathe deep.
Aromatherapy scents known for their headache relieving properties are…
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint (my personal favorite to relieve headaches)
- Chamomile
- Rosemary
- Lavender
Acetaminophen
If all else fails and your headache still won’t go away, try taking acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen is also known as Tylenol and is safe to take during pregnancy.
Always discuss with your doctor first about any medications taken during pregnancy.
Sore & Swollen Breasts
And you thought your breasts hurt around your period! Nope!
The pain is not even comparable to breast pain during the first trimester.
Sore and swollen breasts are probably one of the worst first trimester pregnancy symptoms.
Why do they hurt so bad anyway?
Again, blame hormones. Specifically the hormone progesterone.
Breast pain begins soon after you conceive and lasts throughout your pregnancy.
Along with surging hormones preparing you for breastfeeding, extra blood flow will cause swelling, soreness and sensitivity.
Along with your breasts hurting, many women experience breast growth, sometimes up to two cup sizes. Sorry to tell you that!
During my pregnancy I went from a D cup to a DD.
To help alleviate breast pain and sensitivity try…
A Sports Bra
A sports bra is essential! Not just for the first trimester, but all the way up to birth.
When shopping for a sports bra take in account if your breasts are swollen.
Always measure your breasts to make sure!
Even if you don’t feel like your breasts have grown, you still need to double-check.
There’s nothing worse than buying the wrong bra size.
When finding the best sports bra to support your hurting girls, you need one with padding.
You can try a sports bra without padding, but I wouldn’t recommend it, especially if you’re having nipple pain and sensitivity.
Having extra padding will increase breast support and will eliminate sensitivity to your nipples.
A Breast Ice Pack
Yes, there are specific ice packs designs just for boobies! They are circular in design and fit nicely inside a bra.
Not only will these ice packs soothe your sore and swollen breasts, you can use them to relieve breastfeeding pain. Some are designed to be hot or cold.
While I was breastfeeding/pumping, I heated the breast pads in the microwave to help with let down.
Then I popped them in the fridge to help with breast swelling later on.
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Skin Irritation
All that extra blood flow in your body, plus pregnancy hormones may give you skin irritation.
In simple words: Itching! And lots of it.
More specifically, the itching normally occurs around your belly and breasts.
While there’s not much harm in itching your skin, it’s severely annoying.
To tackle your dry, irritated skin try…
Tummy Butter
This toxic-free body butter is specifically designed for the pregnant mama.
It’s rick in cocoa butter and shea butter to nourish your dry, itching pregnancy skin.
The best part about Tummy Butter is you can continue use after pregnancy to reduce the appearance of c-section scars and stretch marks.
With this body butter, a little goes a long way!
Depending upon how many times a day you apply, a tub of Tummy Butter should last you awhile.
Coconut Oil
Another all natural option is coconut oil. It works amazing for preventing dry skin on the belly and breasts during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, dry and itchy skin will only get worse as your belly and breasts grow.
Coconut oil is a great asset for surviving first trimester pregnancy symptoms.
Not only will it provide moisture and relieve itching, coconut oil can help prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
Acne
I bet you thought you would have that pregnancy glow you’ve heard so much about? Don’t feel bad!
Some women don’t get blessed with the pregnancy glow. I know I didn’t. For me, pregnancy acne started in the first trimester.
Instead of glowing, you might find yourself breaking out like a 13-year-old teenager.
Many of your go to acne treatments are off-limits while pregnant.
Some of the most popular acne treatment brands contain harmful chemicals that can affect your baby’s development.
So what are you to do with your pregnancy acne? Just live with it? Absolutely not!
Try these natural treatments for acne:
Belli Acne Control Spot Treatment
This acne treatment is designed for pregnant women. It is perfect for fighting off pregnancy acne as a result of hormones.
It contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil and chamomile and is paraben free.
Belli Acne Control Spot Treatment can be used with other Belli Acne products like Belli Anti-Blemish Facial Wash and Facial Moisturizer.
Cetaphil
Cetaphil is a facial cleanser you can find almost anywhere. It’s great for removing dirt, makeup and extra oil from the skin.
Kiss My Face Break Out Botanical Acne Gel
Another acne treatment to treat pregnancy acne is Kiss My Face Break Out Botanical Acne Gel.
This gel contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil and peppermint.
This gel is great for reducing blemishes from pregnancy acne.
Final Thoughts
The first trimester of pregnancy comes with many changes to your body. It is a lot to get use to.
Not only are you getting use to the idea of being a mama, but you’re dealing with pesky pregnancy symptoms.
All the common annoying symptoms in the first trimester can be blamed on hormones.
While you can’t use many of the products you used before to treat these symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with them either.
Pregnancy symptoms can be managed with products specifically designed for the mama-to-be and natural product ingredients.
If you are unsure if a product is safe to use during pregnancy, always ask your OBGYN or midwife.
He or she can help you find the perfect product to help relieve your most annoying pregnancy symptoms.
Remember that just because your pregnant doesn’t mean you have to suffer with pregnancy symptoms.
There are many ways to relieve common symptoms.
So don’t suffer any longer with pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester!
Try some of these products to relieve your symptoms!
Works Cited
Five essential oils for headaches
Headaches during pregnancy: causes and treatment
Natural remedies for headaches in pregnancy
Remedies for diarrhea during pregnancy
Handling a tough first trimester of pregnancy
8 pregnancy friendly products to fight acne flare-ups
How to deal with sore breasts during pregnancy
First trimester shopping checklist