Finding out we were pregnant with our second baby filled our hearts with so much joy. But I knew one thing for sure – I needed this first trimester to be different. With a toddler already keeping me on my toes, I couldn’t afford to go through the same debilitating nausea I had with my first pregnancy.
While I know nausea can be hard to control, there were a few things that made a big difference for me this time. If you’re navigating your first trimester (especially with a little one already at home), I hope these tips help you feel a little more in control and a lot more supported.
1- Salt Crackers by My Side (Literally)
During my first pregnancy, I turned to salt crackers after nausea kicked in. This time, I had them ready before it could. I placed a small container on my bedside table so I could grab one before I even got out of bed. I also kept a pack in my diaper bag, purse, and even near the couch where I played with my toddler. Being able to nibble on something light before moving around helped settle my stomach and reduced that awful morning wave of nausea. It was a tiny habit, but it made mornings so much more bearable.
2- Milk for Thirst (and Ice Cubes on Standby)
This one surprised me. I’ve always been a water lover – big bottles, all day long. But suddenly, i couldn’t stand drinking water; it made me feel awful. I couldn’t believe it. Out of desperation, I started sipping milk instead and realized it didn’t trigger my nausea as much, and it kept me hydrated for longer. I later learned that milk’s salt content helps your body retain fluids, which can help you feel more hydrated. And when even milk felt like too much, sucking on ice cubes fame me something cold and comforting to help with the queasiness.
3- Eating Regularly, Before Getting Hungry
I’ve always known that I’m supposed to have small meals more regularly, even before getting pregnant. But honestly, it took me a while to connect the dots until I finally realized that being hungry triggers my worst nausea. It wasn’t like my hunger level came with a warning – it would hit me out of nowhere and with it, came a wave of sickness. So I started eating small snacks and meals throughout the day, even if I wasn’t necessarily hungry. Some days it was mashed potatoes, rice, a plain sandwich or greek yoghurt. Other days it was just crackers or toast. The goal wasn’t to eat perfectly – it was to avoid the sudden crash of hunger that made everything worse.
4- Nausea Wrist Bands
These were a staple in my first pregnancy and I used them again this time around. I didn’t wear them all the time, but they were so helpful on harder days – especially when I was driving, running errands, or even doing daycare drop offs. They work by applying pressure to a specific point on your wrist known to help reduce nausea. While they’re not a cure-all, they brought me enough relief to function and gave me a sense of control over my symptoms.
5- Ginger Nausea Candies
These were a new discovery for me and honestly, I found them helpful. I bought some ginger-based nausea candies online and started keeping them in my bag and car. The gentle spice of ginger helped settle my stomach during those “I can’t eat, but I feel awful” moments. They were especially helpful in situations where I needed to put through – like school runs or social events. I didn’t expect something so small to make a difference, but they did!
6- Switching to Simple Folic Acid instead of Multivitamins
This was probably the biggest change that made a noticeable difference. A lot of the times, we feel like as pregnant women, we should be able to handle the nausea that comes with the first trimester. We’re told by others that this is common, so we often just ride it out. My first pregnancy, i shrugged it off and just casually mentioned it to my doctor, without expressing how awful I felt. I stuck to the prescribed prenatal vitamins despite feeling terrible. But this time, I opened up to my doctor about how badly I was feeling. She suggested switching to a simple folic acid supplement temporarily and said we could return to the full multivitamins once I was in my second trimester. That change made a huge difference – I felt less nauseous and didn’t need additional nausea medication.
Always talk to your doctor with openes and honesty about how your feeling and how it impacts your daily life. We need to be our biggest advocate and they might be able to help even if it’s just a bit!
7- Lemon Sparkling Water with Lots of Ice
This one is a little personal favorite for me. My husband got really into making fancy drinks during COVID and decided to whip up a mocktail for me when I wasn’t feeling well. It was simple – sparkling water, fresh lemon juice and a ton of ice – but it became my go-to refreshment during those tough weeks. Something about the citrus, the bubbles and the coldness that helped settle my stomach. It felt like a small luxury during a time that didn’t feel very glamorous.
A Gentle Reminder…
Remember this, you’re body is doing something amazing. Don’t worry too much about your calorie intake. Somedays, the best you’ll be able to do for yourself is a piece of plain bread and that is okay. If you are worried about the baby’s growth or taking in the necessary amount of calories, talk to your doctor.
If you’re in the thick of it as you’re reading this post, I hope these small tips helped and while you might not want to hear this now, this phase will pass and before you know it, you’ll be in your second trimester with so much energy and appetite.
Remember that you can always reach out to us Here! We’ve got you Mama!
