First Trimester Things I Did Differently With My Second Child

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably already heard the news, but in case you didn’t know…WE’RE PREGNANT! Conrad and I are over the moon to become parents to our second child, and Quinn is excited to become a big brother. It’s been a long journey to get here, and I couldn’t be happier. Baby number two is due September 2022! 

Today I want to share some of what helped me with my first trimester the second time around. During my first pregnancy, I read up on a lot of “dos and don’ts” and my symptoms felt easier to handle. Perhaps it’s because I’m three years older now and my body feels a little different, but I had some different challenges with this pregnancy. I’ve also found some helpful new approaches that I hope will help others. I know every experience is unique, so above all, I encourage you to find what works for you! 

Here are five things I did differently in my first trimester with my second child:

1. I saw a naturopathic doctor

I didn’t even think about this in my first pregnancy — I relied on my midwife for everything. This time around, I had already been seeing a naturopathic doctor before I got pregnant and it felt right to continue learning from her expertise. Acupuncture is a big reason to visit a naturopathic doctor during pregnancy, to target areas for problems with sleep, nausea and headaches. All three of these symptoms were prominent for me in my first trimester this past winter and I am thankful I could get some relief once every two weeks. 

2. I took magnesium supplements

This was a game changer for sleep as insomnia is real in the first trimester. If you’re having trouble sleeping, magnesium citrate (there are different types of magnesium to ingest so please speak with your doctor before purchasing) is a natural remedy to calm muscles at nighttime and help you sleep.

3. I kept a full glass of water beside my bed

I made it a habit to go to bed with a full glass of water beside my bed so that when I woke up (or, let’s be honest, when my two year old woke me up) I could drink a large glass of water to start my day. Our bodies get very dehydrated at night, so this can help with headaches and waking the body and digestive system up. Go crazy and add a little squeeze of lemon in there. :)

4. I used an Icekap for migraines

What’s an Icekap? Check out the photo above to see me rocking it! The Icekap is a wearable, natural way to relieve some pain with migraines, which is another common first trimester symptom. This pregnancy, migraines were particularly bad for me and I spent a whole day in bed at least once a week. I would wake up with headaches and instantly put on my Icekap so that it didn’t become unmanageable. It’s a wonderful tool that can be used for many reasons besides pregnancy, too. You can get 20% off using code PURPOSEFUL20. Purchase here.

5. I committed to regular exercise 

I know this sounds cliché, as we all know exercise is important, but it’s so true that feeling strong feels good — especially early on in a pregnancy! The days I had energy, I focused on leg exercises and core which are so important to carry us as our bellies grow. I also did pelvic floor exercises. Whether you love to go for long walks or can spend even 20 minutes three times a week doing strength training, it’s worth it. I feel so much stronger this pregnancy than I did with the first.

I hope a few of these tips help you in your first trimester. It’s a roller coaster and it’s okay if you need to rest — growing a baby is hard! If you’re like me and love to be productive, it’s hard to do “nothing,” but listen to your body and do things that will help relieve any discomfort. 

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave a comment below if you’d like to share something that’s helped you in your first trimester!

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