My First Trimester Essentials
Around the end of January, we found out we were expecting! I was just wrapping up a January Whole30 and feeling great. However, despite how much I have always wanted to be a mother, I was surprised to find that I felt pretty unprepared for pregnancy. I remember standing in my kitchen the morning I tested positive, feeling all jittery, unsure which teas I could drink or what to eat for breakfast now that my usual sunny-side-up eggs weren’t an option. And that was before the intense fatigue and nausea set in!
Thankfully, I discovered some products and strategies for surviving that often rocky first trimester that I hope will be just as helpful for you. Here are My First Trimester Essentials:
A good prenatal vitamin. I looked for a vitamin made from real food, as these vitamins are more bioavailable (and thus beneficial) than their synthetic forms. One important consideration is that your prenatal should contain folate (the real food form) rather than folic acid (the synthetic form), as a significant portion of the population has trouble absorbing folic acid, and this is a very important nutrient for your baby’s brain development (see this article for more information). I settled on this prenatal and have been happy with it. Some other supplements I take include magnesium (for sleep and digestion), probiotics (for digestion and immunity, as well as for preventing Group B Strep), vitamin D, DHA, and choline (for the days when I eat fewer than four eggs).
The Expectful App. I use this app to meditate every single night. I cannot even tell you how much I love it. They have preconception, prenatal, and postnatal meditations. And it’s not just for sleep! The app includes meditations for connecting with baby, dealing with anxiety and uncertainty, and week-by-week meditations. There is a monthly fee but it is well worth it.
Prenatal yoga. Not only did I have zero energy for any movement aside from some gentle yoga, but my body always felt so good after a class! The best part of prenatal yoga, though, was that I finally got to participate in pregnancy activities! I loved being part of a group of women who are sharing in this very special time, and even though the yoga studio is currently closed, we still have check-in Zoom meetings each week to maintain the sense of community.
Banza pasta. For the two weeks that I could not tolerate anything but carbs, Banza was my go-to. It’s made of chick peas rather than grains, so it has a decent amount of protein and is a healthier option than other pastas.
Meal delivery services for that stretch of time during which I was too tired and nauseous to cook:
Snap Kitchen sends fresh (never frozen) meals to your doorstep. They have plans to fit your needs, whether you are on a Whole30, or eat a paleo, keto, or vegetarian diet, among others. Try it out with code “LRIC-DBX” to get $45 toward your meal plan!
Territory Foods is similar to Snap Kitchen in that these meals come to you fresh and fit a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Though their delivery territory is limited, I really love their meals. I had one of their paleo blueberry pancake breakfasts a couple months ago and I honestly still think about it all the time! Click the link above for $25 off each of your first two orders.
Books:
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. This book is amazing! It’s full of understandable information about pregnancy, week by week. As the name suggests, this book is for women looking to keep their pregnancies as natural as possible, including some natural remedies and suggestions for non-toxic baby items.
Real Food for Pregnancy. Written by Registered Dietician Lily Nichols, all of the nutrition recommendations in this book are solidly grounded in current research, and it is for this reason that I trust it above all other pregnancy nutrition sources. It is thorough but also very clearly written and easy to understand.
From Pea to Pumpkin: A Pregnancy Journal. My sister gifted this to me as soon as I got pregnant. If you are like me and just cannot get into the practice of keeping a consistent journal, this is the pregnancy journal for you. It’s written in a fill-in-the-blank format so it’s super easy to complete, and it’s a fun way to reflect on your pregnancy each week and keep a record for your little one to read one day (maybe when they are expecting a child of their own).
Whole Mamas Club. Whole Mamas Pregnancy Program is Whole30's interactive online pregnancy program offering members exclusive access to comprehensive information, credible research, health professionals, and a supportive community of like-minded mamas. I have found the online course to be informative and helpful, and the accompanying Facebook group has been such an incredible resource! I’ve learned so much from the other mamas in there and am really grateful to be part of the community.
Belly Armor blanket. Your laptop, tablet, and cell phone emit radiation which can be harmful to baby in utero (and to you!). Since I spend a lot of time with my laptop actually on my lap (or my stomach when I’m laying down), I purchased this blanket to cover my belly, which is designed to protect against radiation. It’s also machine washable!
Collagen peptides. I put a scoop in my decaf latte every single day and I can’t even taste it! Collagen helps build your bodily tissues (hair, skin, nails, etc.) and is so beneficial for your growing baby. It’s also a source of protein, which can be helpful when the thought of eating meat makes you feel sick.
Counter+ Charcoal Facial Mask. I’m 17 weeks pregnant and still waiting for that natural “pregnancy glow.” My skin has been a little weird since I’ve been pregnant: dry patch here, breakout there. This mask has helped clear up and balance my skin, and can also be used as a spot treatment for pimples! You can have peace of mind knowing that ALL Beautycounter products are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas.
Melting Body Balm. I used this balm every day on my bump, starting as soon as I found out I was pregnant. It’s made with monoi oil, which is produced by soaking Tahitian gardenia petals in coconut oil (yes, it’s as heavenly as it sounds). Adam and I went to Tahiti for our honeymoon in September, and this balm always takes me back to those beautiful islands.
Madison Reed Hair Color. I’m avoiding salons as much as possible during my pregnancy, as the chemicals are not great for me or my developing baby. Madison Reed makes safer permanent hair color that you can use at home (they even have a balayage kit!), and unlike some natural hair color products, this one really lasts. I plan to use it throughout my pregnancy and probably even beyond, as Madison Reed excludes certain ingredients (such as parabens and phthalates) that I always avoid.
Of course, each pregnancy is different, but I know that these essentials will be beneficial to many pregnant women! I will definitely share another list when I finish my second trimester, but until then, have a happy first trimester :)
Do you have any First Trimester Essentials to add to the list? Leave them in the comments below!
