The first trimester of pregnancy is difficult, tiresome, nerve wracking. However, surviving your first trimester is possible with the tips I’ve collected from three pregnancies. If you’re newly pregnant and feel terrible, or maybe lucky to not have any symptoms, my first trimester survival kit will have at least one item you can’t live without. Here are my First Trimester Must Haves.

First Trimester Must Haves
For the First Trimester Stomach
I know that morning sickness is a pregnancy symptom not all women are lucky enough to experience. But, if you do have first trimester nausea, I send you my love. It’s not fun, nor is it something I would ever wish upon my worst enemy.
The way I survive pregnancy morning sickness is frequent carb snacking, sometimes a seltzer, and peppermint gum. As far as cravings go, it is okay to indulge as long as its in moderation. Some of my all-time favorite pregnancy cravings have been restaurant chicken tenders, grocery store bakery apple pie, and the entire Taco Bell menu. If food makes you gag, I’ve heard Nausea Candies, Gin Gins, and Preggie Pops are also great ways to curb pregnancy nausea.
NOTE: Pregnant women must stay hydrated at all times. A woman can not live without gallons of water during pregnancy. Dehydration can lead to complications such as cramps, contractions, Charlie horses, dizziness and more. I highly recommend buying a great water bottle to make sure you drink enough water during the day – and never leave home without it!
For the Pregnant Mind
If you haven’t found your Mama tribe yet – do it now. The first trimester can be very scary, from sporadic spotting to waiting on bloodwork to weird aches and pains. It is so helpful to have others to talk to, women who’ve experienced pregnancy or are going through it at the same time as you. It’s okay to feel miserable and lazy, you are growing a human!
Once you find out you’re definitely pregnant, download a pregnancy app. I use the Bump and What to Expect apps on my phone. I love being able to see who is developing inside during each week of my pregnancy.
If this is your first pregnancy, I highly recommend you stay away from pregnancy message boards. They are often filled with paranoid pregnant women and more negative than positive posts. Instead of anonymous message boards, read a book! One of my favorite books is The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy. This book is truly one of the most real accounts of pregnancy that I have ever read. Plus, it will surely make you laugh!
Check out THIS POST: 10 Must Reads for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy Body Must Haves
Your body will need a lot of items throughout pregnancy to ensure you and the baby stay healthy and comfortable.
During my second pregnancy my doctor prescribed prenatal vitamins to be sent to my home once a month, for free! They were pretty fantastic, but made me nauseous if taken any other time but bedtime. For my third pregnancy I am taking these pregnancy vitamins or these.
I use peppermint oil on my temples when my hormones give me a headache and on my tongue when I need a little energy. Bio-Oil and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
are my favorite pregnancy skin care products. I like to be on the proactive side when it comes to preventing stretch marks. Plus, there’s something about the surge of hormones that dries out my skin during pregnancy.
Hair ties are necessary if you’re spending a lot of time dry-heaving and stretchy pants are a must if you feel as bloated as I did. My favorite leggings for pregnancy are by Zella or Lululemon. Finally – a heating pad – my electric heating pad is my best friend. With all the cramping and stretching, aching and pulling that may go on during the first trimester, heating pads are a must have
What are your first trimester must haves?

READ MORE PREGNANCY POSTS HERE!

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