The first trimester of pregnancy is full of changes—both emotionally and physically. While you’re happy and excited to welcome a new life, your body is undergoing significant transformations. With all these changes, it’s no wonder you’re experiencing a range of first trimester symptoms. From morning sickness to fatigue, you may feel things you’ve never felt before. And taking medications for all those early pregnancy symptoms is not always ideal. So how about managing them with some home remedies instead? Feels better, right?

To help you navigate early pregnancy, we’ve listed some of the most common first trimester symptoms and simple home remedies to help you feel better.

1. Morning Sickness

One of the most infamous symptoms of early pregnancy is morning sickness. It’s the nausea and vomiting that can hit you at any time of the day, though many find it worse in the morning. The most common causes of morning sickness include hormonal changes and increased sensitivity to odors.

Home Remedies for Morning Sickness

  • Ginger: Ginger is the natural remedy for pregnancy nausea. Try sipping ginger tea or sucking on ginger candies to calm your stomach.
  • Small, frequent meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help keep nausea at bay. Avoid large meals, which can make you feel worse.
  • Acupressure: Some women find relief by applying pressure to specific points on the wrist, known as acupressure points.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking a lot of fluids, especially water, can help prevent dehydration, which can worsen nausea. Sip on water, clear broths, or electrolyte drinks throughout the day.
  • Lemon: The scent of fresh lemon can help reduce nausea. Try adding a slice of lemon to your water or sniffing a cut lemon to ease queasiness. Some women find lemon candies or lemon drops helpful as well.
  • Peppermint: Peppermint tea or candies can help soothe an upset stomach. The aroma of peppermint can also be calming and reduce feelings of nausea.

2. Fatigue

Feeling exhausted? You’re not alone. Fatigue is the most common first trimester symptom due to hormonal changes and the increased effort your body is making to support your growing baby. There is no quick fix for this pregnancy symptom, but you can always try these natural remedies.

Home Remedies For Fatigue

  • Rest: Listen to your body and make sure you’re getting enough rest. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep at night and take naps if needed.
  • Regular exercise: It might seem counterintuitive, but light exercises like walking or prenatal yoga can actually boost your energy levels.
  • Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help combat fatigue.
  • Keep hydrated: Dehydration can worsen fatigue, so ensure you drink water throughout the day.
  • Snack smart: Keep healthy snacks on hand, such as nuts or fruit, to keep your energy levels stable throughout the day.
  • Iron-rich foods: Incorporate iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, and lean meats into your diet to prevent anemia, which can cause fatigue.

3. Breast Tenderness

Your breasts might feel more tender and sensitive due to hormonal changes. This is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Over 60% of women experience this symptom and endure it thinking there’s no solution. But, here’s how you can manage it.

Natural Remedies for Breast Tenderness

  • Supportive bra: Invest in a good, supportive bra. Look for ones with wide straps and soft, breathable fabric to alleviate discomfort.
  • Warm compress: Applying a warm compress to your breasts can help soothe soreness.
  • Avoiding caffeine: Caffeine can make breast tenderness worse for some women. Cutting back might help reduce the discomfort.
  • Cold compress: If warm compresses don’t help, try using cold compresses to reduce swelling and numb the pain.
  • Breast pads: Soft breast pads can provide additional comfort and protection against sensitivity.
  • Proper posture: Maintaining good posture can reduce pressure on your breasts and alleviate discomfort.

4. Frequent Urination

You might find yourself making more trips to the bathroom. This is because of increased blood flow to your kidneys and the growing uterus. The common natural remedy for pregnancy symptoms is to avoid bladder irritants, but what else? Here’s the list.

Home Remedies for Frequent Urination

  • Ensure proper fluid intake: Stay hydrated but try to limit fluids before bed to reduce nighttime bathroom visits.
  • Kegel exercises: Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises can help improve bladder control.
  • Avoiding bladder irritants: Foods and drinks like spicy foods, citrus fruits, and alcohol can irritate your bladder, making you need to go more often.
  • Bathroom schedule: Try going to the bathroom at regular intervals to train your bladder and reduce urgency.
  • Loose clothing: Wearing loose, comfortable clothing can put less pressure on your bladder.
  • Elevate feet: Elevating your feet for short periods can help reduce fluid retention and lower the frequency of urination.

5. Mood Swings

Experiencing mood swings and sudden emotional changes? You might find your mood all over the place due to hormonal fluctuations as the first trimester symptom.

Home Remedies for Mood Swings

  • Stress reduction techniques: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help manage stress.
  • Communication: Talk openly with your partner, friends, or healthcare provider about how you’re feeling.
  • Self-care: Make time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or spending time outdoors.
  • Support groups: Join a pregnancy support group to share your experiences and get support from others going through the same.
  • Journal: Keeping a journal of your thoughts and feelings can help you process emotions and identify patterns.
  • Healthy lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity to help stabilize your mood.

6. Food Aversions and Cravings

You might find yourself suddenly hating foods you used to love or craving strange combinations. It’s true that there’s no magic solution, but here are some natural remedies for pregnancy to manage them.

Home Remedies for Food Aversions

  • Listening to your body: Pay attention to what your body wants and needs. Don’t force yourself to eat something that makes you feel sick.
  • Balanced diet: While it’s okay to indulge in cravings, try to balance them with healthy choices to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
  • Don’t overindulge: It’s okay to give in to cravings occasionally, but try not to overindulge in unhealthy foods.
  • Healthy swaps: Find healthier alternatives to your cravings, like swapping ice cream for yogurt or chips for carrot sticks.
  • Meal planning: Plan your meals around your cravings, incorporating nutrient-dense foods to balance your diet.

7. Constipation

Hormonal changes can slow down your digestive system, leading to constipation. Avoiding this first trimester symptom during pregnancy is important as it can lead to severe discomfort and health issues.

Home Remedies for Constipation

  • Fiber-rich foods: Eat plenty of high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
  • Keep your fluids up: Drink a lot of water to help keep things moving in your digestive system.
  • Physical activity: Regular exercise can help stimulate bowel movements.
  • Prune juice: Drinking prune juice can help as it acts as a natural laxative.
  • Warm liquids: Start your day with a warm beverage like herbal tea or warm water with lemon to help stimulate digestion.
  • Probiotics: Incorporate probiotics like yogurt or kefir into your diet to promote healthy gut bacteria and improve digestion.

8. Headaches

Over 80% of women complain about headaches as their pregnancy symptom. Hormonal shifts and increased blood volume can lead to headaches. But how many painkillers can you take? Try out these natural remedies for pregnancy instead.

Home Remedies for Headaches

  • Rest and relaxation: Take breaks to rest in a quiet, dark room when you feel a headache coming on.
  • Drink fluids: Drink water, as dehydration can trigger headaches.
  • Stress reduction: Use stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing and meditation to help prevent and alleviate headaches.
  • Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to your forehead or the back of your neck can provide relief.
  • Magnesium: Incorporating magnesium-rich foods into your diet, like nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, may help reduce headache frequency.
  • Aromatherapy: Using essential oils like lavender or peppermint oil can help relax and relieve headache pain.

9. Gas and Bloating

Gas and bloating can be quite uncomfortable during pregnancy, caused by hormonal changes that slow down digestion.

Home Remedies for Gas and Bloating

  • Eat slowly: Eating slowly can help prevent swallowing air, which can cause gas.
  • Avoid gas-producing foods: Limit foods that are known to cause gas, such as beans, cabbage, and carbonated drinks.
  • Stay active: Gentle exercise can help move gas through your digestive system and alleviate bloating.
  • Eat smaller meals: Large meals can cause bloating. Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
  • Ginger and peppermint: Ginger and peppermint can also help with gas. Try sipping ginger tea or chewing on a small piece of fresh ginger. Drinking peppermint tea can also help relax your digestive system and reduce gas.
  • Avoid carbonated drinks: Fizzy drinks can increase gas and bloating. Stick to still water or herbal teas.

10. Heartburn

Heartburn, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, is another common first trimester symptom due to the relaxing of the valve between the stomach and esophagus.

Home Remedies for Heartburn

  • Small, frequent meals: Avoid large meals and opt for smaller, more frequent ones to reduce stomach acid.
  • Avoid trigger foods: Steer clear of spicy, fatty, or acidic foods that can trigger heartburn.
  • Elevate your head: When sleeping, try elevating your head with extra pillows to prevent stomach acid from rising.
  • Chew gum: Chewing gum can increase saliva production, which helps neutralize stomach acid.
  • Avoid lying down after eating: Wait at least an hour or two before lying down after meals to allow proper digestion.
  • Wear loose clothing: Tight clothes can put pressure on your stomach and exacerbate heartburn.

Navigating the first trimester can be tough, but knowing what to expect and how to manage your pregnancy symptoms can make a big difference. Remember, always consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about your pregnancy symptoms.