Trimester by Trimester: A Detailed Look at the 5 Pregnancy Stages with Selfoss Resources

First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy

The first trimester is like a secret club where only you and your growing baby are members. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create a new life, and you might be feeling the effects (hello, morning sickness). It's like you're part of an exclusive group that only fellow expectant moms can truly understand. 

 I remember when I was in this stage, I would sneak off to the couch in between my clients and took power naps (10-15min), to deal with morning sickness and tiredness, all while trying to keep my pregnancy a secret from my clients. It felt like I was living a double life as a superhero – minus the cool cape! 

Here are some other resources in South Iceland for the 1st trimester.

• What worked for me best was fresh, sour strawberries, lemon that reduces nausea and promotes hydration, peppermint tea soothes the stomach and essential oil helped me to reduce nausea. I'm not a fan of ginger, so i discovered that my new friend was Topas eucalyptus pastilles !
• Never take your pregnancy vitamins on an empty stomach.
• My second discovery was that I felt worse after sugary snacks, so I had to limit to minimum my favorite deserts.
• Tvolif and local pharmacies has supplements that reduces morning (or all day sickness) and relief band.



Second Trimester: The Golden Age

For many, the second trimester is the golden age of pregnancy, where you can finally start enjoying the journey. With the nausea subsiding and the baby bump showing, it's time to embrace the experience.

• In Selfoss you can buy maternity clothing in Lindex.
• Places to workout and stay active in Selfoss - Yoga , you can also go to local swimming pool , my favorite place to walk was Hellisskógur forest.
• Definitely talk with physical therapist Hildur Grimsdottir, who specializes in woman's health - pregnancy and postpartum, so she will show you how to work out properly at your home, based on your needs.
• If you plan to have maternity photoshoot, it's a perfect time to schedule one! I also provide maternity photoshoots, so you're welcome to contact me.

Third Trimester: The Home Stretch

The third trimester is when things start to get real. As you prepare for your baby's arrival, you'll want to make sure you have everything in place for a smooth transition.

The Nursery 

I never really had nursery, my babies slept in same bedroom (co-sleeping it is!) with me until they were old enough to move to their own bedroom. So I kept everything we need for changing in bedroom by hand.

We were preparing gradually, month by month buying all necessary for me and baby, and I must admit - shopping still is my favorite part, cute outfits, first stroller and car seat. And it can be overwhelming, because of hundreds of options that we have these days! My experience is less is more.

I recommend to check Yrja verslun in Selfoss. They have beautiful selection of first clothing, car seats, all you need for comfortable breastfeeding, postpartum and more.

Selfoss Birth Class or Doula

So, I found out that in Selfoss we don't really have any birth classes anymore. But the good news is that I can provide such service, as a birth doula and postpartum doula. I have created course where we will talk about how do you see your birth (make a birth plan), and I will share my knowledge about:

• the birth process,
• how your hormones work and what to do to prevent them from interfering.
• I will introduce you to relaxing breathing techniques
• postpartum, breastfeeding basics and so much more. Click here to read more.

In Fludir we have amazing doula Paulina, she provides birth classes in Fæðingarheimili Reykjavíkur every other month in polish. Check her website here.

Preparing with Your Partner For the New Baby

Make new arrangements regarding the new roles in your life and discuss how to better organize work around the house, shopping, who will pick up older children or who will put them to sleep, spending money, etc.

If this is your first parenting experience and you want your partner to be involved, accept that he will do it differently and if something doesn't satisfy you - look for solutions together.

Birth: The Main Event

The moment you've been waiting for is finally here: birth! Whether you're planning a natural birth or a C-section, this stage is exciting and emotional!

My all birth stories are pretty simple, my first was a breech baby so it was planned c-section, but then when I moved to Iceland and got pregnant again (and again!) my pregnancy providers encouraged me to at least try to give birth naturally. AND I DID! Twice! I'm so proud of my self.

If you are curious to know what helped me the most was -

• open mind and body, I just knew that every single contraction will end, so I breathed each one out of my body,
• breathing + visualization and humming
• squatting

If you want more details on birth, make sure to check out this blog post all about 10 things your midwife never told you about giving birth .

Of course, these are moments you’ll always want to remember (even if things don’t go perfectly according to plan).

Hiring a birth photographer is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret!  Here you can see my portfolio, and read more about birth photography.

The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You

Surprise! Your journey doesn't end with birth. The 4th trimester is the first three months of your baby's life, where both of you are adjusting to the world outside the womb.

Postpartum can surprise you as a trainwreck, and depression doesn't sort who you are. First time mom, fifth time mom, doula, a therapist or how good or bad you prepared for your birth or postpartum. All though preparing is very important, as knowledge is a power. If you or your partner can read signs of baby blues or depression, you can reach out for help right away!

Remember, you are not alone! Selfoss church have meetings for woman with babies, where you can share and also listen how other moms are doing in this journey.

Of course, every journey is unique, and it's okay to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you've got your support system and resources, you'll be able to navigate this crazy adventure.

Thanks for reading!

Since you made it all the way down here – are you looking for a Birth and Family photographer in Selfoss? Click here to see more of my birth photography portfolio.