Coping with early pregnancy

Finding out you're pregnant is an incredibly exciting time. You may have been attempting to conceive for a while and suddenly your wish for a baby has come true. Alternately, your pregnancy might have come as a surprise to you, in which case it might take a while for the news to sink in.

Whatever your situation – whether your pregnancy was planned or not – you’ll likely be experiencing a range of emotions. Initially, you may feel elated – but don't be surprised if you find yourself also feeling anxious, weepy or even confused. It’ll take you a while to adjust to your pregnancy, both emotionally and physically, so it's best to be prepared for the fact that your mood may fluctuate on a daily basis.

One of the first classic symptoms of early pregnancy is one you will almost certainly have heard of – morning sickness. Although this usually starts at around week five, some women may start suffering from nausea just two weeks after conceiving their baby. Some women will just feel vaguely queasy, while others may vomit. The term ‘morning sickness’ is also deceptive, as some women feel sick all day! Don't panic, though – there are several steps you can take to make yourself feel better. Tips include eating smaller, more frequent meals made up of bland food, sucking on hard candy and munching ginger cookies. It's important that you eat regularly, as 'pregnancy affects your glucose metabolism and blood sugar levels can drop quickly in some women, which will make you nauseated. See our feature morning sickness: how to beat it for more help.

Another common side effect of early pregnancy is extreme tiredness. This is due to pregnancy hormones flooding your system to support your baby’s rapid development in the first three months. Take comfort from the fact that, as you enter your second trimester (weeks 13-28) you’re likely to feel more energetic. Although it's not realistic for most women to have a daytime nap, relax as much as you can during the evenings and get as many early nights as you can. Share your responsibilities with your partner, friends and family. Eating a healthy diet and doing gentle exercise will also make you feel more energized – but keep in mind that pregnancy hormones relax your ligaments, and that you’ll need to be careful not to overstretch them. Walking, swimming and yoga are ideal.

Other symptoms associated with the first trimester may surprise you. Some women report excessive saliva. This is linked to morning sickness and you can alleviate the symptoms by eating fruit or chewing gum. You may also feel quite bloated and windy during the first few months, but keep eating high-fiber foods as these will help combat another common pregnancy symptom: constipation.

In the first few weeks of pregnancy, you’ll experience many changes to your breasts. They may feel very tender and swollen – this is because the milk ducts are swelling and getting ready to feed your baby. Make sure you're wearing a well-fitting bra, as you don't want to put any additional pressure on your breasts. Avoid wearing under-wired bras during pregnancy in case they interfere with the forming of delicate milk ducts.

Around this time, you may also have an overwhelming urge to pee frequently. This is because your uterus is expanding to accommodate your growing baby, and pushing against your bladder – which makes you need to urinate more often. Although the need to pee constantly is completely normal in early pregnancy, if your urine starts to sting at all, visit your GP as you might have a urinary tract infection. 

Some women suffer from headaches in the first trimester – this is due to a combination of tension and constipation. To avoid headaches, get as much rest as possible, keep up your fluid intake and try an icepack. You might also have bleeding gums – if you do, schedule a checkup with your dentist.

As well as all the physical aspects associated with early pregnancy, it's important that you're also aware of the emotional side of expecting a baby. You’ll likely have moments when you pause to take stock of just how your baby will change your life, and worry that you might have made a mistake. You’ll also likely worry about whether your baby is OK.

Although you have every right to be overjoyed, it's fundamental that you take time to consider the changes you will have to make to your life. Be prepared to make sacrifices. Aside from giving up smoking, you’ll also need to cut alcohol and coffee consumption down to a minimum (or give them up altogether). There are also quite a few types of food you will have to avoid now that you're pregnant (see foods to avoid during pregnancy for more information). Rather than dwelling on the things you have to give up, focus on the reason you're making these changes to your lifestyle – you want to ensure that your pregnancy runs smoothly and that your baby is healthy.

Some women suffer spotting and bleeding in early pregnancy. Although this is often nothing to worry about, if you experience any cramps or are at all concerned, contact your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife straightaway. If it's your first pregnancy or if you've experienced a miscarriage in the past, it's likely that you’re going to feel somewhat nervous about what's safe and what isn't during pregnancy. To give yourself the best possible chance of having a safe and healthy pregnancy, read our feature on avoiding miscarriage. If you haven't yet, start taking folic acid supplements, which can help protect your baby from neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

If you're still in the early stages of pregnancy, you may well have decided to keep it a secret for a while. If this is the case, then be prepared to make a range of excuses to friends. If you're meeting friends for drinks, you could tell them you're on a detox diet! You probably won't want to go out much in the early days, anyway, as you're likely to be very tired. If a friend has invited you for dinner and you want to make sure there's nothing too spicy or rich on the menu, you could say you’re getting over the stomach flu and would prefer something fairly simple.

When you do decide to announce your special news (most women wait until their miscarriage risk drops, after 12 weeks) you may be somewhat nervous about people's reactions, especially if you have friends who’ve been attempting to conceive for a while. It's best to be open with everyone, however, rather than playing down your news, as your friends are likely to be happy for you. ?You may also be wondering about the impact a new baby will have on your relationship with your partner. Perhaps you've been with him/her for a while and are used to being a couple – in a few months you'll be making the transition to a family. Talk through your emotions with your partner, including your fears about how your life will change. Discuss how you're going to cope both emotionally and financially – don't put off talking about these things until just before you have your baby.

If you're coping with pregnancy on your own, make sure you talk to your family and friends about how you're feeling. Learn to lean on people – although you're embarking on an incredible journey, it’s a complex time, full of change. See our feature on emotional ups and downs during pregnancy for more help in early pregnancy.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.