Pregnancy Symptoms no ones talks about (1st trimester edition)

The first trimester is not “glowy skin and cute baby bump pics.”
It’s more like: Why do I feel like a sick potato 24/7? 😂
Here’s what actually happens…

1. Nausea – the villain of the story

When I say nausea… I mean deep, dramatic nausea.
Nausea when you eat.
Nausea after you eat.
Nausea when you take your vitamins.
Nausea when food exists near you.

What helped me:

• Salt & vinegar chips (in moderation – lifesavers)
• Black Tea
• Lemon juice
• Sea Bands
• Eating small meals, not big ones

Pro Tip:
Do NOT take your medicine right after eating.
You will see your entire meal again. 🫠

2. Zero Energy (the sleep marathon phase)

I slept more than I was awake.
Morning nap… afternoon nap… evening nap…
Pregnancy fatigue hits DIFFERENT.

What helped me:

• Listening to my body and resting
• Hydrating, even if it was a few sips at a time
• Not pushing myself

3. Dry Throat at 2 AM

Waking up like I just walked through the Sahara desert.

What helped me:

• Keeping a water bottle next to my bed
• I LIVED on cold water, warm water was a big NO for me

4. Frequent Peeing

Every 10 minutes.
Middle of the night.
Middle of sleep.
Middle of existing.

What helped me:

• Reducing water right before bed (helped a little)
• Accepting this new lifestyle 😭

5. Mood Swings (emotions on shuffle)

I cried because my food was hot.
I cried because it was cold.
I cried because someone breathed near me.
Pregnancy really activates every emotion at once.

What helped me:

• Not judging myself
• Eating when hungry
• Resting when overwhelmed

6. Smell Sensitivity – the worst betrayal

Kitchen smells? Horrible.
Food smells? Disgusting.
I couldn’t even enter my own kitchen without gagging.
And the CRAZIEST part?
I normally hate vegetables…
but during my first trimester, veggies were the only thing I could eat.
My personality changed.

What helped me:

• Mask / handkerchief with Vicks on it
• Avoiding food prep when possible

7. Acne (where is the pregnancy glow???)

Everyone told me I’d glow…
Instead, I got breakouts and dull skin.
Glow? Lost in transit.

What helped me:

• Pimple patches
• Hydrating skincare
• No harsh actives
• Keeping my routine very simple

8. Bloating (the “I look pregnant but also not really” stage)

The bloat is REAL.
Some days you’ll look 5 months pregnant.
Other days? Your stomach is flat again.
And the funniest part?
You don’t feel pregnant yet, no bump, just a bloated balloon feeling.

What helped me:

• Eating smaller portions
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding foods that triggered more bloating
• Loose, comfy clothes (my best friends)

9. Lightheadedness

Standing up too fast?
Your soul will leave your body.

What helped me:

• Sitting down immediately
• Snacking often
• Drinking enough water

10. Feeling Pregnant… but Also Not Feeling Like Yourself

This is honestly one of the hardest parts of the first trimester.
The nausea hits so badly some days that you don’t even feel like you.
You’re tired, drained, irritated, emotional, and sometimes it feels like your whole personality disappears overnight.

You don’t look pregnant yet.
You don’t have a bump.
But your body is going through so much, silently.

Some days I felt like, “Who even am I right now?”
And that is so normal.

What helped me:

• Reminding myself that this phase is temporary (even though in the moment it doesn’t feel like it)
• Talking to my family and opening up instead of keeping everything inside
• Speaking to other moms who had been through the same thing, honestly the BIGGEST comfort
• Allowing myself to rest without guilt

Just remember:
You are still you.
Your body is just doing a huge, beautiful job behind the scenes.
This phase will pass and you’ll slowly start feeling like yourself again. 💛