Ah, the First trimester. The early weeks of pregnancy come with so many emotions—excitement, nervousness, joy… and let’s be real, a whole lot of nausea. As a maternity photographer and a soon-to-be mom myself, I wanted to share a few things that helped me get through those first few months of pregnancy with a little more ease—and a lot more grace for myself.
Whether you’re newly pregnant or supporting someone who is, here are five things that made a big difference for me during the 1st trimester—and one bonus tip at the end you won’t want to miss.
1. Prioritize Protein First Thing in the Morning
If I had a dollar for every time I heard “morning sickness is the worst,” I could probably fund a college savings account. But here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just mornings. For me, it was all day nausea—until I figured out one important thing.
Protein. First thing. Every day.
When I started focusing on a protein-rich breakfast right when I woke up, I noticed a huge improvement in how I felt all day. My go-to? A quick smoothie! I loved that it was easy to make, and could fill me up for the morning with lot of protein. Here’s my go-to recipe:
Protein Smoothie 35-40g of Protein per serving
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk of your choice
- 1 scoop of protein powder of your choice (I like the chocolate plant based protein powder from Whole Foods)
1 tbsp nut butter - 1 tbsp flax seeds
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Blend until smooth
If mornings are rough for you during the first trimester, try prepping a few ingredients the night before or stashing ready-made smoothie packs in your freezer. It’s a small change that made a huge difference for me.
2. Move Your Body—Gently
Let’s be honest. The 1st trimester can feel like you’ve been hit by a truck, and suddenly climbing a flight of stairs feels like a full-body workout.
I was exhausted. Even walking made me nauseous some days. But when I had the energy, I made time for gentle movement—a short walk around the block, prenatal yoga, or just some simple stretches.
No pressure. No big workouts. Just honoring my body and doing what felt good in the moment. Movement isn’t about achieving anything in this season—it’s about supporting your changing body and giving yourself a little boost of energy or clarity when you can.
3. Lean on Support (Even if That’s Hard for You)
If asking for help isn’t your strong suit, I see you. I’m someone who likes to have it all together, too. But pregnancy has a funny way of humbling you—and teaching you (early!) that you can’t do everything on your own.
Whether it’s your partner, a trusted friend, your mom, or a co-worker who can take something off your plate—let them. Accepting help isn’t weakness; it’s strength. And it’s amazing practice for motherhood.
Letting people in during the 1st trimester gave me space to rest, take care of myself, and not feel so isolated in what can be a very tender season.
4. Start Connecting With Your Baby
This might sound a little woo-woo, but connecting with your baby—even before you’re showing—can be really grounding. The first trimester is full of changes you can’t see yet, and that can feel surreal.
You might not know your baby’s gender, or have a name picked out, or even fully believe this is real—but that doesn’t mean you can’t start forming a connection.
For me, it looked like:
– Rubbing my belly and saying good morning.
– Listening to music or singing songs
– Writing little notes in a pregnancy journal
There’s no right way to do it—just find something that feels natural. That early connection can be a gentle reminder of the magic that’s unfolding, even when the symptoms feel overwhelming.
5. Drink More Water Than You Think You Need
I completely missed the hydration memo in my first few weeks of pregnancy, and I paid for it with headaches, fatigue, and even more nausea.
Once I started drinking more water, everything changed.
I now carry around a massive water bottle and make it a goal to refill it 3–4 times a day. Hydration supports everything from digestion to circulation to energy levels. It sounds simple, but if you’re feeling off—start with a big glass of water and go from there.
Bonus Tip: Book a Maternity Photographer at the End of the First Trimester
Okay, you didn’t think I’d let you leave without a little photography tip, right?
One of the best things you can do toward the end of your 1st trimester is to book your maternity session. Why? A few reasons:
– You’ll have something exciting to look forward to in your second or third trimester
– Great photographers (hi, it’s me 🙋♀️) tend to book up early
– It’s a way to celebrate your journey and honor the changes your body is going through
Your maternity session doesn’t have to feel stiff or staged. My approach is relaxed, natural, and all about capturing the beauty of this chapter in a way that feels true to you.
By booking early, you’ll get to plan a session that fits your schedule, your vibe, and your vision—and I’ll be right there to guide you every step of the way.
Priority #1 Get Through the First Trimester However You Can
Pregnancy is full of unknowns, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Whether you’re newly in your 1st trimester or already planning your nursery, know this: you’re doing an amazing job.
If you’re starting to think about documenting your pregnancy journey, I’d love to chat. Reach out anytime to book your maternity session or learn more about how I help Bay Area mamas feel seen, celebrated, and completely at ease in front of the camera.
