Hey parents – let’s chat.

If you’re here, you’re probably smack dab in the middle of the first trimester and wondering what the fuck is going on with your body and your emotions. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. As a birth photographer who’s been through this shit myself (twice), I know that the first trimester can be a real pain. But it’s also an incredibly exciting time, full of changes and new experiences. So I’m here to talk about what to really expect in the first trimester, from morning sickness to mood swings. So grab a cup of tea (or whatever the hell you’re allowed to drink these days) and let’s get started!

First things first, you’re probably going to feel like crap.

Yeah, I said it. You’re going to be tired, nauseous, and just generally uncomfortable. Your boobs are going to hurt and you might even throw up a few (hundred) times. But don’t worry, this is all completely normal. (Great, huh?) Your body is going through some major changes and it’s going to take some time to adjust. To help alleviate some of the nausea and crappiness, eat small meals frequently, get a lot of rest, and DRINK YOUR WATER. Seriously. Think you’re drinking enough water? Double it. We don’t want dehydration mixed in with this. Take care of yourself! Sour candies are also especially delicious right now and really helped my nausea, just sayin’.

Another thing you might notice is that your emotions are all over the place.

One minute you’ll be crying over a commercial and the next minute you’ll be ready to punch someone in the face for looking at you the wrong way. Again, totally normal. Just try to ride it out and remember that it’s just your hormones doing their thing. Honestly, I say embrace the emotional whirlwinds and watch the shit that’ll make you cry. Just let it out, friend.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself.

I know, this leads back to feeling like crap but I cannot stress this enough. This means eating healthy but also still giving in to your cravings (listen to your body, it knows what it needs!), getting plenty of rest, and staying active… well, as active as you can. I know it can be tough to motivate yourself to do anything when you feel like garbage, but trust me, it’ll make a big difference in how you feel. And I don’t just mean exercise and run and do all kinds of wild shit every day. If that’s not your thing, it’s okay. If being active for you means walking up and down every single aisle in Target with a snack and a little bit of caffeine… do that. (That’s my exercise too. You’re in a safe space.)

And finally, don’t forget to start thinking about your birth plan!

Yeah, I know it seems early, but it’s never too soon to start planning for your baby’s birth day. Do your research, talk to your friends and fellow parents, talk to your OB or midwives, and figure out what kind of birth experience you want to have. I also cannot stress this enough. DO NOT let anyone tell you that you can’t do it your way!!! This is your pregnancy, your birth, and your baby, so you get to call the shots. You want an unmedicated water birth surrounded by candles? You aim for that. You know for a fact you want that epidural? Get it. This is your birth. I know, birth is unpredictable and birth plans can change – we can save that for another day – but you can envision and manifest whatever experience you want.

The first trimester of pregnancy is tough, but you’re tougher.

Just remember to take care of yourself, ride out the wild emotions, and start planning for your birth experience. I know these 9-10 months seem like a freakin’ eternity but they will absolutely fly by and before you know it, you’ll have that baby of yours in your arms. Soak it up.