In case you missed it, I’m Pregnant! Be sure to check out Part 1 of this series.
I've been getting a ton of questions about my journey preparing for pregnancy, the journey of trying to conceive, and the first trimester. So I’ll do my best to share as much as I can. To keep you from reading an overwhelming blog, I’ll break it up into different parts. If you missed it, be sure to go check out Part 1 where I talk about prepping for pregnancy, coming off hormonal birth control, and prenatals.
How I knew
Since I was tracking my period with Natural Cycles, my period was pretty regular and pretty predictable. I knew the days leading up to it when I should get it and when I would start to feel my normal menstrual indicators. For me, what gave it away was:
my boobs were more tender than normal when it came to my period.
my period is usually pretty right on track and the morning I was supposed to get it, it didn't come.
I was up during the nights leading up to use that bathroom more than normal (usually I'm up 1-2 times, but I was getting up 3-4 times in the night)
The day I was supposed to get my period, I went mid-morning to get a pregnancy test to find out instead of stressing and waiting. And I'm sure you can figure out what the test said...! 😊
First Trimester Symptoms
I was super grateful that I didnt have a ton of nausea. It is fairly common for women (around 80% actually) to experience these symptoms so know you're not alone if you are! Mine was definitely more extreme fatigue and food aversions than anything. I tried as best I could to prioritize protein at each meal, but I quickly learned it was more about surviving than thriving in this stage.
Being a fitness coach at 2 studios in Phoenix, I needed a lot of my energy for in-person coaching which was definitely a struggle some days. Having to lean into the support of my team, asking for subs, and slowing a bit of my coaching style were non-negotiables for me to help me get through these slower times. And napping became a regular occurrence for me. I think I napped most days for at least 30 minutes. I had to remind myself that my body was not only growing a human but growing an organ (the placenta) and that there was a lot going on behind the scenes.
Movement is a part of my every day. And this was a hard transition for me for the first trimester since my energy levels were just not there. Some days I could get up and walk for 10-15 minutes outside (if the heat didn't kick my butt first), and others it was minimal walking just in the community. There was one day I tried to do a 10-minute Melissa Wood Health workout at home, and by the end of it, I felt like I just took a 50-minute class. My butt was wiped! Leaning into slower, gentle, shorter movement to help keep me moving if I could without overdoing it was all I could manage some days. And taking rest days without guilt was a daily reminder that this period isn’t forever.
If you are in your first trimester, know that it doesn't last forever (even though sometimes it certainly feels like it). And if you are keeping it under wraps for a bit, it can feel lonely sometimes. If you need someone to confide in, feel free to reach out 💕
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