19 | First Trimester Survival Guide
Pregnancy tips from a fourth-time mom
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Surprise! I’m pregnant with baby number four! Well… surprise for you, not for me this time. [Read more about my surprise third pregnancy] But if the me from four years ago could see me now, she’d probably fall over in disbelief. Honestly, I’m so thankful that God doesn’t show us the future sometimes because I would have been completely overwhelmed.
But here I am, pregnant with my fourth, and I’m just so grateful. I keep telling my husband that this pregnancy actually feels easier than when I was pregnant with my second and had just one baby to care for. As crazy as it sounds, I think it’s because my three little ones now work together as a team, playing and entertaining each other, which makes life feel a lot more fun.
Now that I’ve been through this a few times, I wanted to share my First Trimester Survival Guide—a few tips that have made all the difference for me. Whether you're in your first pregnancy or just in need of some encouragement, I hope these tips will help!
1. Set Realistic Expectations
This might be my go-to advice for everything, but it's even more important in pregnancy. When those hormones kick in and I’m feeling exhausted, nauseous, or just emotionally off, it’s so easy to be hard on myself. But I’ve learned that giving myself permission to slow down and set realistic expectations makes a huge difference.
There’s almost a little honeymoon phase when you find out you’re pregnant—those first couple of weeks before the fatigue and nausea hit. I try to take advantage of that time by prepping a few freezer meals and mentally preparing myself for the slower pace ahead.
I know I’ll need more sleep, more rest, and I’ll probably feel less motivated to tackle big projects. So, I adjust my to-do list, clear the social calendar a bit, and prepare to hunker down. Honoring the season I’m in brings so much peace.
2. Prioritize Good Nutrition
I know, I know. It’s hard to look at food, nevermind eating well. But do as much as you can. It makes all the difference!
Good nutrition is a game-changer for me, especially in the first trimester. I take a prenatal, but I also swear by beef liver supplements. I didn’t take them with my first two pregnancies, and the difference has been night and day. Without them, I was exhausted, nauseous, and could barely drag myself out of bed. But when I’m consistent with beef liver, I have way more energy and almost no nausea.
Beef liver supplements can be pricey, but my husband dehydrates liver from the store and makes my capsules for me. It saves us so much money, and it’s such a sweet, tangible way he supports me during pregnancy!
Aside from supplementing, we cook from scratch as much as possible. Of course, I lower the standard a bit in that first trimester, but I find focusing on nutrient-dense foods when I’m able to eat and avoiding heavily processed foods also helps me to feel good in pregnancy.
3. Communicate with Your Kids
This pregnancy has been extra special because my oldest is old enough to fully understand what’s happening. She is beyond excited and convinced she’s getting a little sister (we don’t usually find out the gender, but she’s adamant!).
I made sure she was the first to know because I wanted her to hear it from us, not accidentally overhear it. She’s been so understanding when I tell her, “Mommy’s feeling extra tired because of the baby,” and she’s naturally very helpful. The kids play together so well right now, and my oldest will even grab snacks or water when they need it. Such a blessing!
4. Get as Much Sleep as Possible
I always take sleep seriously, but during pregnancy, I’m extra disciplined about it. I love having a nighttime routine that makes me excited to wind down—like a nice hot bath, a good book, and some lavender essential oils diffusing in the background. It helps me mentally shift into rest mode.
I also take advantage of sleeping in whenever possible. My kids have a slightly later bedtime right now, which helps them sleep in a bit. And on days when they wake up earlier, I’ll leave a snack or a little activity ready so I can sneak in a few extra minutes of rest. Sometimes, I even bring my pillow to the couch and catch a light nap while they play safely nearby.
5. Embrace Batch Cooking
In the first trimester, I usually start hating food. I either gag at the sight of certain things or just have zero excitement about eating. To make life easier, I rely on batch cooking. I’ll make big batches of food that last us for two nights, so I don’t have to cook every single day.
Chili was a lifesaver in those early weeks this time around. I also lower the bar when needed—pulling out rotisserie chicken with veggies or doing a quick boxed chicken nugget and salad dinner. I give myself grace while still making sure my family is fed.
6. Consider a Midwife
I’ve had a midwife for all my pregnancies, and I love the experience. Here in Canada, midwives are covered by OHIP whether you give birth at home or in the hospital. I love that I get to know my midwife throughout the pregnancy, and when it’s time to give birth, I actually know who’s going to be there.
Midwives are also so much more relaxed about appointments. I’m 18 weeks now and have only had two appointments so far. I usually skip the early dating ultrasound and just do the anatomy scan, and my midwife is totally supportive of that. She even told me I could bring my kids to my appointments if needed. It’s such a warm, personalized experience, and I love how emotionally supportive midwives are too.
7. Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Bidet
Okay, this might sound funny, but if you’re in your childbearing years and don’t have a bidet… why? We bought a simple attachment for about $60, and it’s been life-changing—especially during pregnancy.
My bowels get all messed up when I’m pregnant. I know most women get constipated, but I have the opposite problem (TMI, I know). By the third trimester, there’s so much pressure down there that wiping over and over is just not fun. Order one before the hemorrhoids start. You won’t regret it! [I have this one]
What’s Next?
I’m planning to record a pregnancy Q&A soon, and I’d love to hear your questions—whether they’re pregnancy-specific or something totally different! You can leave a comment wherever you're listening or send me an email at hello@micaela.ca
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