First Trimester

• Nausea: Morning sickness is a very trite term that describes sickness which encompasses morning, noon and night for some mothers-to-be.  The severity ranges from mild to severe. In most cases vomiting is minimal, but the feeling of an unsettled tummy can be constant and all encompassing. 
  • Getting through: To get past morning sickness moms should eat regularly.  Skipping meals triggers a drop in blood sugar which creates the feelings of illness.  To help keep blood sugars steady include protein at every meal and snack. 
• Fatigue:  Feeling tired is one thing, but an inability to function even when getting good rest at night and eating balanced meals on a regular basis is quite another.  Feelings of nausea are intensified when mom is tired.
  • Getting through: Extreme fatigue can be caused by low blood pressure and anemia.  Taking an iron supplement will help restore healthy levels of iron in the blood.
• Moodiness:  Crying at the drop of a hat or irrational rages against the evils of toilet paper rolls installed backwards? That sounds like the first few weeks of pregnancy. 
  • Getting through: Hang in there.  Just knowing about the pregnancy will help mom keep her emotions in check.  Getting a nap, soaking in a warm, not hot, bath, relaxing and taking a walk for exercise all act to improve mood during pregnancy.