Pregnancy series: The first trimester

2 mins to read

Naturopath Stephanie Hamilton looks at the common symptoms experienced during each trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy and preconceptionEveryday health

Am I pregnant?

You may have missed your period, performed a pregnancy test or had it confirmed by your doctor. You are pregnant! You may be noticing breast and nipple changes or feeling unusually tired as a confirmation that your body is adapting to the hormonal changes as cells rapidly divide, forming an embryo. Each woman will have a different pregnancy experience, and quite often symptoms arise as a response to hormonal and tissue changes.

Morning sickness

Massive hormonal surges and fluctuations in the early stages of pregnancy may be responsible for morning sickness (or all-day sickness in some!).

If you did a liver cleanse prior to conception, or if you lead quite a healthy lifestyle, then your liver may be able to deal with the extra hormonal load to some extent. However a healthy liver may not always equate to an absence of morning sickness.

Other causes include nutrient deficiencies, food allergies, excess stomach acid, blood sugar level fluctuations, stress or fatigue. Excessive nausea and vomiting is not considered normal and can greatly affect nutritional status and cause dehydration. If you are experiencing severe nausea, consult your healthcare professional.

Possible morning sickness remedies include:

Eat before you are hungry
Avoid foods high in sugar and highly processed foods (eg white breads, pastries)
Avoid foods you may be allergic to
Eat a protein snack just before bed (almonds, boiled egg, yoghurt)
Sip on organic peppermint, chamomile or ginger tea
Acupuncture
Regular exercise
Vitamin B6 supplementation

Fatigue

Due to the rapid rate at which the foetus is developing in the first couple of months, low energy levels are very common in pregnancy. Hormonal changes can also contribute to reduced energy levels.

You will naturally require more sleep and ‘time-out’ when you are pregnant. Facilitating the growth of your baby is a very valid excuse to have that afternoon nap that you may be craving, and it is the most efficient remedy for pregnancy fatigue.

Fatigue remedies include:

Sleep!
Ensure your nutrient intake is adequate. Consider taking a good quality pregnancy multivitamin which will provide you with the nutrients that are required at higher amounts during pregnancy and that may assist in energy production.
Eat healthy, wholesome foods. You should only be feeding you and your developing baby with nutritious foods. Avoid all processed and refined foods that can rob you of your precious energy.
Take time out.
Gentle exercise or restorative yoga.

Prevention

The first trimester is the time to take action to prevent other symptoms and conditions that can occur later in pregnancy. Here are some tips to ensure a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy experience:

Start yoga and regular stretching to increase the suppleness of your muscles.
Have your spine and hips assessed by a qualified chiropractor or osteopath.
Take a pregnancy multivitamin that contains iodine, folate and omega-3 fatty acids.
Massage almond, rose hip or avocado oil into your belly to prevent stretch marks.
Drink 2 L of water every day.
Ensure you get 30 gm of fibre each day.
Have regular check ups with your healthcare professional.

References available on request