Finding out I was pregnant was an overwhelming experience. No matter how many preparations you make in advance, once you actually see those two pink lines, the reality takes a little while to sink in.
But not for too long—because the symptoms hit hard and fast, and they make sure you don’t forget you’re pregnant, not even for a minute.
That said, everyone’s experience is different—but most women deal with at least one (if not all) of the following first trimester symptoms:
1. Morning Sickness (aka All-Day Nausea)
Contrary to the name, this wasn’t limited to just mornings for me. The nausea was constant throughout the day. Oddly enough, even drinking water or splashing it on my face made things worse. I was unable to keep much food down, so my doctor prescribed anti-nausea medication -Doxinate (everyday) along with anti vomit medicine- Ondem MD (SoS), which I continued for the entire first trimester—it really worked.
What helped: simple homemade meals, short walks in the park, and talking to friends/family. Other than that ginger infused water or ginger candies were also helpful.
Also, keep something dry like makhana, khakhra, or crackers with you at all times. Eat a few bites when you feel queasy—and keep them by your bedside to eat first thing in the morning before getting up.
2. Fatigue
I felt exhausted almost every day, especially in the evenings after work. This kind of tiredness is very common and is mostly due to hormonal fluctuations and the increased workload your body is managing. I ended up sleeping over 9 hours a day, and honestly, I needed it
3. Cramping
I experienced light cramping similar to period pain. This is due to the uterus starting to expand and the ligaments stretching. Mild cramping is common, but if it becomes severe or is accompanied by bleeding, see your doctor immediately.
Gentle stretches and lying down helped ease the discomfort for me.
4. Food Aversions
Foods with strong flavour—like hing, garlic, and even certain veggies—would instantly trigger nausea, and sometimes even vomiting. Cravings and aversions are completely normal during early pregnancy and are often driven by hormonal shifts or your body’s changing nutrient needs.
My biggest takeaway? Stick to your comfort foods, even if it’s just toast or plain rice. Don’t stress too much about nutrition or weight gain specially in the first trimester, in fact I lost 2 kgs—the real goal is to just survive and get through it!
5. Heightened Smell Sensitivity
This was actually one of my very first symptoms and a major trigger for my nausea. I became incredibly sensitive to smells—strong perfumes, certain foods, even whether someone had taken a shower or not (honestly, not information I ever wanted!).
What helped? Wearing a mask, especially when stepping out, really reduced unwanted triggers and made things a little more manageable during those hypersensitive weeks.
6. Mood Swings
Emotionally, it felt like a constant state of PMS—mood swings, irritability, and an overwhelming sense of “why me?”. Just knowing it was hormonal helped me accept what I was feeling instead of fighting it. On tough days, simply being kind to myself—resting, venting, or doing something comforting—made a big difference.
And during this time, support from your partner becomes absolutely essential. A little patience, understanding, and emotional presence can go a long way.
7. Headaches
Occasional headaches? Totally normal. Yes, I know I keep saying “it’s normal,” but believe me—almost every other ache, pain, or weird symptom is part of the pregnancy package, thanks to those hormonal shifts. Headaches, in particular, are pretty common.
What helped me was resting, staying hydrated, and avoiding known triggers like stress, spicy foods, and overexertion. Listening to your body, understand the triggers and give it what it needs.
8. Frequent Urination
Especially at night! This is caused by increased body fluids and more efficient kidney function. Plus, your growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder. Some people suggest avoiding water after evening to reduce nighttime bathroom trips, but I wouldn’t recommend that—it can increase the risk of dehydration, which is far more harmful during pregnancy.
Try Kegel exercises—they can strengthen your pelvic floor and help with bladder control later in pregnancy too as well as will support postpartum recovery. I personally found it easier to stay consistent by using a Kegel exercise app—it sends reminders and times each set, which makes the habit much easier to stick to.
Though every pregnancy is different, one thing many of us have in common is a deep sense of being overwhelmed—a mix of anxiety, fear of the unknown, and heightened emotions. It’s easier to deal with the physical symptoms. They can be explained, diagnosed, and treated—your doctor usually has a solution. But the emotional side of pregnancy? That often goes unseen, especially by those around you. And honestly, it’s hard to explain what’s going on inside when even you don’t fully understand it yourself.
So here’s my gentle reminder to you:
Take care of your emotional health too.
Let yourself feel everything—even the not-so-pleasant stuff. Accept that it’s okay if you don’t feel fine all the time. Talk to your partner or a friend, someone who can simply listen without trying to “fix” it.
Try doing things that make you feel more like yourself. And as far as possible, maintain your normal routine. Disruptions to everyday structure can add more stress, and a sense of normalcy can be comforting.
These early months can feel endless, you don’t have to bloom just yet- surviving is more than okay, and it does get better.
