First Trimester Survival Guide: Real Tips for Nausea, Exhaustion & Food Aversions
Whether it’s your first, second, third or whatever number baby you are up to - the first trimester is ROUGH. A lot of moms expect some sort of nausea or vomiting, but that's not all! Pure exhaustion like you’ve never experienced, taste distortion, food aversions, mood swings, stuffy nose. Yes, stuffy nose! This can be tough your first go round, but then add in the layer of having a child to take care of in the subsequent round(s). In my case I was taking care of my infant, he was only 6 months when I found out I was pregnant again!
My First vs Second Pregnancy; Different Experiences
My first pregnancy: exhausted, nauseous, occasional vomiting, and intense taste changes. I could barely eat for half the pregnancy and needed a nap every single day.
My second pregnancy: less exhaustion—but I threw up every single day. I’d wake up, sip water, and immediately run to the bathroom. I was constantly dehydrated, and honestly; Diet Coke was one of the only things that helped me function (not perfect, but survival mode is real).
And here’s the thing: all the “standard advice”, it didn’t work for me at all.
Nausea and Vomiting
What didn’t work for me:
Crackers
Ginger
“Eat bland” (still threw up)
Small frequent meals
What actually helped:
Diet Coke, seltzer
Apple juice
Plain toasted waffles
Ramen / soups
Celery & cucumber
Peppermint oil
What made it worse:
Dairy
High-fat foods
Room temperature water (instant vomiting trigger)
Taste Distortion/Bad Aftertaste
I felt this was harder to deal with than nausea and vomiting, mostly because it enhanced both. Literally no one warned me about this either. Of course, it’s due to our lovely pregnancy hormones (and not experienced by everyone). Not all foods triggered this for me but the biggest offenders were any type of crackers and anything sugary, including fruit sadly.
The best thing that helped with taste distortion/bad aftertaste was tongue scraping, it took the bad taste right out. Other things that helped included chewing minty gum, sour candy, green olives and pickles.
Hydration
The first two months of pregnancy I was chronically dehydrated, if I drank water when I woke up I immediately threw up. After a little trial and error I figured out that I had to have ICE cold water in order to tolerate it. Even in the second trimester I’m still struggling to stay hydrated, but definitely doing better compared to the first!
The biggest thing I learned: temperature matters more than anything.
Apple juice and carbonated beverages were a big help too.
Final Thoughts
Do your damn best - because it’s hard! Take advice with a grain of salt, mine included. Every pregnancy is different and literally what works for you one day may not work the next. After experiencing two miscarriages before my first baby, I used to panic when something didn’t work for me that worked for someone else. Eventually I realized our bodies are just different. Try what feels right, stay within safe limits and always talk to your provider if you need more support. You’ve got this.
Quick Survival Checklist
Keep safe snacks by your side and bedstand
Drink ice cold fluids
Don’t force foods that make you sick
Rest when you can (even short naps)
Get a tongue scraper
Ignore advice that doesn’t work for you
Good luck mamas!