Surviving the First Trimester

A few weeks ago we announced to our family and friends that we’re expecting our fourth baby. Come September, we’ll have four kids under three! It will be crazy, but goodness I also know it’s gonna be so fun to have them close in age. We always hoped to have four kids, and since we had two at once, my third pregnancy will be my last! We’ll be shutting down our baby factory after this one pops out and I have to admit I’m pretty excited about that.

I’m not one of those women who loves being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s a blessing, but that doesn’t mean it’s loads of fun. I mean, I guess there are some perks like having thicker hair and bigger boobs, but I tend to spend most of the time counting down the months, weeks and days until I get to meet my sweet babe(s) and can start feeling like myself again.

Right now, I’m 16 weeks along. I officially survived the first trimester. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it. When I told my husband that I was thinking about writing a post on making it through the first trimester, he said he hoped I wasn’t offering advice because it was such a disaster this time around. Ha! I love that man and his honesty.

He’s 100% right. The last three months have been full of all sorts of crazy. So, in case any of you are currently in your first tri or know someone who is, I want to share a few things I’ve learned; not as advice, but as a way of reassuring you that whatever you’re doing to survive is totally acceptable.

During the first trimester, it’s okay if…

You don’t have a taste for anything. It’s okay if you call your husband at 4pm and tell him there’s no way you can eat anything you planned to make this week. No chili. Or hamburgers. Or chicken. Or tacos. Instead, you order take out for the fifth night in a row.

You’re so sick and tired that you sneak in naps, go to bed early and feel totally unproductive.

You drink coffee. And some days it’s more than just one cup.

You don’t have as much energy to invest in friendships. If they love you, they’ll understand.

You don’t cook because any lingering smell in the kitchen makes you vomit.

You have a giant pile of clean laundry in your living room which rarely makes it to the dresser drawers, or even gets folded.

You don’t give up highlighting your hair. You need the pick-me-up.

You need extra alone time.

You’re emotional. About everything. You can’t even get through an episode of Good Morning America without shedding a few tears.

You do things differently than your friend did during her first tri. Every pregnancy is different. Comparing is stupid.

You go to the gym and your workouts are sub par. Doing something is better than nothing.

You miss your wine. So you make it your mission to find the best gingerale on the market. And you drink it out of your wine glass.

Your kids get extra screen time because you simply don’t have energy to entertain them all day long.

You wear yoga pants and your husband’s t-shirts almost every day.

Your housework get pushed to the backburner.

You feel like a middle schooler going through puberty because you can’t control your acne. Don’t worry, it’s temporary.

I promise, it’s all okay. 

Surviving pregnancy isn’t easy and we all get through it in our own way. So grab a cup of coffee, throw on a pair of sweats and order take out tonight…or do just the opposite. Whatever it takes to get you to the finish line!

What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear what you’re doing or did to survive your first trimester(s)! 

*These opinions are my own, based on my experiences. Please be sure to check with your doctor before deciding to incorporate them into your pregnancy.