My First Trimester Favourites
photo by Arden Wray
I am so excited to finally share the news Steve and I have been keeping for so long. We are expecting our first child together this Spring. I can’t tell you enough what a whirlwind this experience has been, I really struggled in my first trimester, initially with anxiety (I’ll share more about our ttc journey another time) and then with more conventional symptoms like all day nausea, fatigue, vomiting, cramping and painful breasts.
Despite these extreme and at times debilitating symptoms, I managed to find a way to work full time and support my clients! This handful of products really kept me going and
I am happy to say, I am now starting to feel better. Here are my top picks for the first trimester!
Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong — and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster
A lovely friend of mine sent this to me when she found out I was expecting. We had regularly shared our experiences with one another trying to conceive over the years and both became pregnant during this time. When I first became pregnant I was almost paralysed with anxiety and overwhelmed by all of the information out there on what to do and how to move forward. I had spent so much time focusing on trying to get pregnant that when it actually happened, I felt lost.
This book was incredibly informative and reassuring, Oster debunks the myths of pregnancy using her background in economics and casual writing style. Oster knows that the value of anything is in the eyes of the informed beholder, and like any complicated endeavor, pregnancy is not a one-size-fits-all. This book is heavy on information but also very easy and approachable to read. It’s definitely a book I will refer back to often.
Handfuel Roasted Marcona Almonds with Sea Salt and Lemon
In all my years of intuitive eating, I had really stepped away from grazing all day. I preferred to have a few meals and maybe a snack in the afternoon if needed but nowadays my body's needs were very different and
I am honouring that. Dealing with nausea is quite tricky, it’s not just a morning thing! I noticed in this new phase listening to my body and its needs meant transitioning back to a more grazing- style diet. I can’t really eat a full meal or be any type of hungry these days without feeling like I’m about to throw up. So grazing was an essential part of my survival <Cue Snacks>!
These are the most delicious almonds out there I swear. I basically survived on these and a handful of chopped fruits and veggies for 2 months. They’re packed with nutrients, healthy fats and a bit of protein so they were great to have on hand to keep my blood sugar stable throughout the day. I loved the slight lemony flavour with the salt and richness of the almonds, I highly recommend for anyone looking for a quick, salty snack!
Soft Focus Cropped Cami
Something that really caught me off guard was the intense breast pain that can happen throughout pregnancy (cool, right?!) Due to increased blood flow and milk production breasts tend to get incredibly sensitive and can almost feel as if they’re burning! It didn’t take long to realize my usual underwire bras were not helping the situation. Working from home I was able to adjust and transition into more comfortable undergarments and this camisole has become a go-to for me. It’s surprisingly supportive and very soft making my life so much more comfortable! The sizing goes up to a 2x and I comfortably wear an xl as a size 16 with a full bust.
Province Apothecary Radiant Bath and Body Oil
As my body shifts and grows I wanted to implement grounding rituals to support this transition. This body oil has made this ritual such a beautiful practice for me, supporting my growing belly and body in a loving way. I love the scent, with notes of cyprus, clary sage, lavender and geranium it’s grounding but also very invigorating without being overpowering at all. I love to use this daily as a massage oil after dry brushing and showering. It’s kept my skin so smooth and healthy.
Lark ‘Bubbas’ Sparkling Water
Honestly I was a fan of Lark before becoming pregnant but now it’s a whole new obsession. I find the effervescence of their sparkling bubbas really helped to quell my nausea. Their waters are super ‘sparkly’ with lots of bubbles and remind me of my favourite seltzers in New York. I love adding fresh citrus like lemon, orange or grapefruit with herbs from my garden like rosemary or basil for a quick and effortless ‘cocktail’ when I’m feeling particularly fancy.
I love Lark because they run on a closed loop system meaning they offer an incredibly convenient sustainable option with no waste! They now offer subscriptions so you can get these beautiful bubbles delivered to your door every week!
Acupuncture with Anne Matthews
Anne Mathews aka @energytreeanne is such an incredible care provider, she was a part of my health care team when I was trying to conceive and has been a great support during my first trimester. Her Energy Tree Studios is a lush and relaxing space located in Toronto that focuses on community fertility support. Consistent acupuncture has been so great at helping with anxiety, energy and the first trimester. The way Anne supports and holds space for her clients is something I aspire to! She’s a force!
These are just a few of the things that helped get me through my first trimester and I highly suggest these items whether you are expecting or not! I know everybody’s pregnancy is different so I encourage you to try things out and find out what works best for you! Take this time to honour your capacity and do what you need to get through. I’m now entering a new phase of my journey and already being to notice subtle shifts. The most important part for me has been to trust the process and honour my needs as I welcome this new transition.