By the time that you learn you are carrying a baby, your first trimester is probably a third of the way over, but there are still weeks where you will have new experiences as your body works to grow this new member of your family.
As hormonal and physical changes take place, you might be wondering about some natural things you can be doing to help you through them. The items listed here can help you create a survival kit of natural items to help you through the first trimester. And while most of them deal with nausea, hello morning sickness, there are some for other first trimester issues as well.
Build a Survival Kit for the First Trimester
Ginger
A ginger tea, crystallized ginger, or ginger candies can help to keep nausea at bay while also improving digestion. Ginger is a warming spice and is highly recommended in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for expecting and nursing mamas.
Spearmint
Spearmint tea or peppermint candies do the same as ginger with keeping your stomach settled. If you are noticing that smells are really bothering you as you go through the first trimester, peppermints to suck on can help you navigate difficult situations in the grocery store or at home because the scent is so powerful.
Prenatal Vitamin
A prenatal vitamin might seem strange on a first trimester survival kit list, but it actually is needed for your survival. Our western diets are highly lacking in nutrients, and even if you eat the farm raised, all organic, non GMO diet, you’ll still not get all the nutrients needed to keep your body going and baby growing because our soils are so lacking in nutrients from years of overgrowth and over use. To avoid nausea in the morning after taking prenatal vitamins, some women find that taking their prenatal vitamin at night works better for them. A food based prenatal vitamin is easier to assimilate into your body so you use more of it and pee less of it out.
Omega 3
Not only is this essential for babies growing brain, it is also essential for yours as well. There have been studies done on moms brains that show that they actually shrink after giving birth, because baby is pulling so many nutrients from you, omega threes and fats make up the majority of our brains and also facilitate hormone growth, so keeping on top of omega threes is critical during pregnancy. If you bleed easily, you may want to talk to your doctor about when to stop omega threes like cod liver oil before delivery, as some studies show that cod liver oil can lead to easier bleeding and a higher risk of hemorrhage.
Papaya enzymes
Another natural trick to keep nausea and heart burn away. Papaya enzymes are reputed to be amazing for helping you to conquer those beasts during pregnancy.
Heating pad
A heating pad or rice/bean bag can really be helpful for sore ligaments and back pain. You can make your own rice or bean bag if you don’t have a heating pad, check out how here.
Crackers
Keeping some crackers on your nightstand can be really helpful for settling your stomach when you wake. Instead of reaching for Ritz or Saltines made with white flour though, check out whole grain sprouted options which are a little easier on your blood sugar.
Protein rich snacks
A protein rich snack like a meat stick or a cheese stick before bed can also help keep nausea at bay as it helps to keep your blood sugar levels more stable during the night. This doesn’t mean that everyone who eats a protein rich snack will not have nausea, but many times nausea can be from blood sugar issues.
Bach Rescue Sleep
If you are having trouble sleeping at night, the flower remedy from Bach called Rescue Sleep can be helpful. It is made from distilling flower essences, a little bit like essential oils, though they aren’t as “potent” as essential oils.
Essential oils
Lavender, cedarwood, and Stress Away are all helpful for pregnant mommas as they deal with stress and insomnia during pregnancy. They can all be applied directly to the skin with no need to dilute. Some people who have lung issues like asthma can react badly to lavender, so you may want to try that one carefully if you have any history of allergies or lung issues. Remember to use high quality, therapeutic oils, learn more here!
Rebekah Thompson writes at Surviving Toddlerhood. She has been married for nine years and is momma to four little boys ages eight, five, three, and eight months. She is the author of The First Six Weeks: Thriving Naturally On Your Postpartum Journey and a certified birth doula through DONA International. She enjoys good coffee and tea, dark chocolate, running and learning as much as possible about healthy pregnancy/postpartum and fitness. You can check out her blog at www.survivingtoddlerhood.com
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