I remember staring at that positive pregnancy test with a swirl of emotions—joy, disbelief, and a whole lot of what now? What followed were twelve of the most exhausting, confusing, and tender weeks of my life. The first trimester felt like a strange in-between zone: not really showing, but already feeling everything. I was excited, sure, but also sick, tired, overwhelmed, and completely thrown off by how not-glowing I felt.
No one really prepares you for how physical and emotional those early weeks can be. I found myself googling every twinge, sleeping at odd hours, and crying at car commercials. Some days I was productive; other days I was proud just to make it through without throwing up. It wasn’t glamorous—and it certainly wasn’t easy—but slowly, I started to figure out what helped. Small things. Real things. Lifesavers, honestly.
So if you’re in the thick of it right now, this list is for you. These are the six things that truly carried me through those first 12 weeks—my anchors when the waves of hormones and change felt like too much. I hope they help you feel a little more grounded, a little more seen, and a lot less alone.
1. Crackers, Ginger Tea, and Small Wins
Nausea was one of my very first pregnancy symptoms, and it didn’t let up for weeks. Mornings were especially rough, so I started keeping plain crackers on my nightstand to nibble before even sitting up. That small shift made a noticeable difference in calming my stomach. Ginger tea became another staple—it soothed the queasiness and offered a warm moment of calm when I needed it most. I quickly learned that staying ahead of hunger helped, even if it meant eating six small meals a day. More than anything, I began celebrating “small wins”: making it through a meeting without gagging, finishing a bowl of soup, or even getting dressed. These wins may seem tiny, but during the first trimester, they felt monumental. Focusing on what was working helped me feel like I had a little more control.
2. A Cozy Nap Nest
First-trimester fatigue is like nothing I’d experienced before—it’s not just tiredness, it’s a full-body demand to rest. I realized early on that pushing through wasn’t going to work. Instead, I gave myself permission to nap whenever I could, even if it was just for 20 minutes. I created a cozy “nap nest” with my favorite throw, a blackout sleep mask, and my phone on Do Not Disturb. It became my little sanctuary when the world felt too loud and my body felt too heavy. Resting became a form of self-care, not laziness. Making peace with this slower pace was challenging, but essential. I reminded myself: growing a human is hard work, and I needed to respect that effort.
3. Pregnancy Apps That Didn’t Scare Me
There are a lot of pregnancy apps out there, and honestly, some of them made me more anxious than informed. I finally settled on one that struck a balance between facts and encouragement. It gave me weekly updates on my baby’s development, which helped me feel connected and in-the-know. I especially loved seeing the size comparisons (a blueberry! a fig!) and learning how my body was changing too. The community section helped me feel less alone—reading posts from other moms going through the same things was so comforting. I avoided apps that were heavy on worst-case scenarios or unsolicited advice. Instead, I looked for one that offered reassurance, not overwhelm. Having that daily check-in felt like a small but steady anchor during a time of constant change.
4. One Person I Could Text About Everything
Having just one person I could message—day or night—made all the difference. Whether it was my partner, a close friend, or a fellow mom, their presence was a lifeline. I didn’t always need answers; sometimes I just needed to type “I feel weird today” and hear, “That’s totally normal.” Their empathy helped me feel less isolated when symptoms took me by surprise. I didn’t have the energy to update everyone, so having one go-to person kept it simple. They celebrated my tiny milestones and talked me down from unnecessary worry spirals. In a season where everything feels new and unpredictable, consistent emotional support is invaluable. Their understanding helped me feel stronger, even on the hardest days.
5. Prenatal Vitamins I Could Stomach
I wanted to do everything “right,” including taking my prenatal vitamins—but the first kind I tried made me so nauseous I dreaded taking them. After some trial and error, I found a gummy version that was easier on my stomach and didn’t trigger my gag reflex. This switch may seem minor, but it completely changed my routine. Suddenly, I was actually consistent with my vitamins, and it felt like a win I could count on daily. I also started taking them with food or right before bed, which helped even more. My doctor reassured me that switching formats was totally fine, which eased my guilt about not sticking to the original pills. Learning to adapt rather than push through was an important early lesson. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about finding what works for you.
6. Letting Go of the “Shoulds”
This was hands-down the hardest, but most important shift I made during the first trimester. I came into pregnancy with a mental checklist of how I thought it would go—what I’d eat, how I’d exercise, how I’d feel. Reality had other plans. Some days, I could barely eat toast, and the idea of a prenatal yoga class felt laughable. I had to let go of the “shoulds” and give myself permission to just exist, without guilt. That mental shift was incredibly freeing. I stopped judging myself for needing extra rest or saying no to things. Embracing flexibility over perfection helped me feel more grounded, and ultimately, more at peace with the journey.