6 Tips for Your First Trimester during Surrogacy

As a gestational carrier, you probably already know what it’s like to go through the journey of pregnancy. However, after you’ve decided to help another family achieve their dreams of having children, preparing yourself mentally and physically for the changes your body will go through is important. During your first trimester of pregnancy, there are a lot of ways to increase wellbeing for both you and the child you will be carrying.

Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is here to outline some helpful tips for your first trimester.

6 Tips for Your First Trimester

Pregnancy is a journey that gestational carriers selflessly undergo to help intended parents who may not be able to have children of their own. While Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado understands that pregnancy may be difficult on your body at times, these tips for your first trimester should help to make the process as smooth as possible. From self-care tips to when to see a doctor, there are numerous ways to help:   

• Find a doctor you are comfortable with for prenatal visits 

Prior to your first trimester, it’s important to make sure you have a doctor you feel comfortable with seeing for the rest of your pregnancy. This will help you establish trust in them, especially since they will be supporting you throughout your gestational journey. It can be difficult if you don’t feel confident in their experience, or if they seem off-put by your choice in any way. Once you have done this, be sure to schedule your prenatal visits  at least once a month, or every four weeks, during your first trimester. In these visits, you can discuss all of the important aspects of your pregnancy to ensure all is well. Seeking prenatal care as early as possible is a great way to help ensure that the baby will be born healthy. 

• Manage symptoms of morning sickness 

Morning sickness is a very common phenomenon that often occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. The main symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting, and there are many home remedies to address them. However, it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms. Some women feel that ginger and vitamin B6 are excellent options for helping reduce their symptoms, but speak to a doctor first. 

• Keep your body active with low-impact exercise 

Doctors recommend that women in their first trimester get approximately two and a half hours of exercise per week. Just be sure that for this duration of time you stick to low-impact exercises, such as swimming, walking, and yoga. All of these activities decrease the risk of overexertion or  too much fatigue. While exercising is very beneficial during your first trimester, remember  to know your limits and pace yourself accordingly. 

• Take a good nap when you need it 

As a gestational carrier, you probably already know that the first trimester of pregnancy can be quite tiring. There will be nights where good sleep may be difficult to come by. If that is the case, indulging in a good nap will help you feel much more rested. Finding time in your day to squeeze in a quick nap could be extremely helpful in reducing the fatigue associated with first trimester pregnancy. 

• Make sure to stay fed and hydrated 

The saying that you are eating enough for two during pregnancy definitely holds true to some extent. However, during your first trimester, you don’t need to double the amount of food that you are eating. Approximately 300 extra calories is just enough to help feed the baby. Ensuring that you are eating nutrient-rich foods and drinking enough water will not only keep you and the baby healthy, but it will also help you to feel more energetic. 

• Invest in comfortable bras and clothing 

The first trimester of pregnancy may also be associated with tender breasts and some weight gain. Therefore, investing in comfortable bras and clothing could make a world of difference in how you feel in your day-to-day life. Having a store associate recommend their best items for comfort is one way to find great clothes. As your pregnancy progresses, maternity clothing may be the most fitting option for your wardrobe.  

During your first trimester of pregnancy, your body is undergoing many changes. It’s important to ensure that you are staying active and healthy to help ensure that the baby will be as well. Prior to the pregnancy, make sure to discuss expectations and involvement with the intended parents to help prevent any confusion. 

Are You in Need of Advice as a Gestational Carrier? 

If you are preparing for your journey as a gestational carrier, Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado is here to support you. Along with tips for your entire pregnancy, we will make sure you have legal representation, medical care, and hands-on support throughout the entire surrogacy process. We also have resources to help match gestational carriers with fitting intended parents! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information or with any questions that you may have. 

If you are interested in surrogacy and want to learn more about your options, contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado by email, phone, or text: Email Us, Call us: 720-371-1099, Call or Text us: 303-670-4673 (HOPE). If you are hoping to adopt, please contact us here.

Meet the Author: Ashley Nies is an undergraduate student at Stanford University who is studying Human Biology and Political Science. Ashley is largely interested in various aspects of health and healthcare, and writes about these topics. She has taken classes on rhetoric, ethics and social media in health, as well as other creative writing classes during her freshman year at Stanford. 

Ashley is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and considers herself to be fun-loving and adventurous. She values the importance of combining STEM with liberal arts education and hopes to integrate these in her writing.