The good news is that spotting is so super normal, especially within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It’s not usually a full on period, but generally lighter in flow and the color can range from pink to red and brown. Although it’s easy to get freaked out, do not panic! 

One cause of spotting could be implantation bleeding, when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This spotting often happens before you even know you’re pregnant and most women confuse this with a period. Another totes harmless cause of spotting is a cervical polyp (a growth on the cervix), which is more likely to bleed due to higher estrogen levels. As usual mama, if you’re feeling like any bleeding might NOT be normal, please contact your healthcare provider. The more you know!

Oh girl, we FEEL you. Sore boobs are one of the strongest early pregnancy detectors out there. Sometimes, your super-sensi teetas give the whole damn thing away. Just know that it’s because your body is gearing up to support that babe of yours with more estrogen and progesterone production than ever before. A similar surge occurs right before Auntie Flow comes to town, so you know the deal. Fear not, as your hormones begin to level out in trimester 2, so too will that pain. 

FYI it’s also super normal for your boobs to start getting bigger, like majorly. Every gal is different in just how big, but as the fat layer in your breasts thicken, you’ll grow more milk glands and blood will start flowing to them. Your body is basically prepping for breastfeeding in as early as week 3. Talk about genius.

So we went over the foods that you SHOULD eat during pregnancy (link), as well as ALL the nutrient-rich, feel-good, good-for-you treats that will do you and your babe right. But, certain foods traditionally pose some level of risk. Look, do we think the toro at Nobu is going to wreak havoc on your baby’s health? Or that a lil freshly carved turkey from the local diner poses a serious threat? We can’t be sure. The best thing is to consult your doctor, and learn the ins and outs of why the following foods can be viewed as dangerous:

• Raw Meat: It’s not like you’re going to be reaching for that raw hunk of steak, but uncooked seafood and rare or undercooked beef or poultry contains risk of bacteria, toxoplasmosis + salmonella.
  
• Deli Meat: Though extremely rare, some deli meats have been known to be contaminated with a bacteria known as listeria, which can lead to miscarriage. The American Pregnancy Associations recommends that if you’re going to eat deli meat, be sure to heat the meat until it’s steaming. 
  
• Fish With High Levels Of Mercury: Mercury consumed during pregnancy has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Some of these fish include shark, swordfish, king mackerel + tilefish. Eat tuna in moderation.
  
• Smoked fish: “What do you mean I can’t have a bagel and lox during my pregnancy?!?!” It’s a tough one, mama, but smoked fish aka lox, nova + kippered salmon also poses heightened risks of listeria. (However they are safe when cooked, so order up those LEO’s!)
  
• Raw Shellfish: The majority of post dinner “WTF did I eat last night?” toilet-hugging sickness is caused by undercooked shellfish, which includes oysters, clams and mussels. Do yourself a favor and cook ‘em up. 
  
• Raw Eggs: Salmonella risk right here, including homemade dressings and ice creams as well as custards. Check that hollandaise sauce before slathering it all over your perfectly cooked steak. 
  
• Soft Cheeses: Sooooooo imported soft cheese like brie, roquefort, camembert and queso fresco may contain listeria unless they’re clearly stated that they’re made with pasteurized milk, so check before you go create your Pinterest-worthy cheese plate. Speaking of which, make sure your milk is pasteurized too. K thx.
  
• Pate: Meat spreads pose a listeria risk so buy ‘em canned. 
  
• Caffeine: We’re on the one-cup-a-day team over here, but you do you. If you’re going to opt out, do it in the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage is higher. As a general rule, limit caffeine to fewer than 200 mg per day. Also remember to compensate with water as caffeine is a diuretic, which flushes fluids from the body. Some research suggests that large levels of caffeine are associated with miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth, so be sure to check in with your doctor.
  
• Alcohol: Here’s another toughie. We know some women who abstain for 40 weeks and afterwards, and some gals who swear by a glass of wine each day. Didn’t Gwyneth drink beer during her pregnancies? Didn’t all of our moms? Don’t they do it in France? Regardless, here’s what you need to know. Alcohol is not regarded as safe during pregnancy, and excessive exposure to alcohol can interfere with the healthy development of the baby and in extreme cases Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can include mental issues, malformations of the skeletal system + major organ systems as well as cognitive issues. Check in with your doctor and gage your own comfort level with having a sip now + then.
  

Whether you’re in the first, second, third or fourth trimester, energy is something you’ll be chasing all 40 weeks and beyond. While there’s no secret formula to getting some of your mojo back, here are a few simple changes in your day to keep your energy up during pregnancy:

• NAP: Give yourself the gift of the nap. Granted, it might be easier to pull off if this is your first pregnancy and you’re not chasing a toddler around a playground, but check in with your partner, your caregiver, your mama, anyone who can take some of the weight off your hands so that you can get some rest. Sidenote: start going to bed earlier and waking up later. Organize your day around when you can get a little shut-eye. 
  
• Just Say No: Dinner with the girls? Meh. Sunday Funday brunch? Pass. Learn how to decline invitations and obligations and use the best possible card you have. The preggo card! Of course, do what makes you happy, and if it’s attending a good old fashioned throw-down, then we support! But pick and choose your social outings wisely so you can rest up.
  
• Limit Your Workouts: We believe in the power of exercise to feel great throughout your pregnancy and beyond. However, it’s possible you could be overdoing it and exhausting yourself + your energy supply. If pregnancy is taking its toll, take a time out and do some restorative body work like prenatal yoga, a lovely walk through nature or kick it on a park bench and watch the world go by. 
  
• Eat Well: What you put into your body directly affects how it operates, so do yourself a favor at eat a well-balanced, protein-fueled diet to contribute to your energy levels. Nutrients like protein + iron will give you a much-needed boost. Carbo-loading will reduce your energy (though let’s be honest, sometimes it’s worth it.)
  

Early pregnancy symptoms and the early signs of pregnancy aren’t some textbook, one-size-fits-all thing. You may have zero pregnancy symptoms or you may be a hot mess. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t feel any differently, and on the flip side, try to keep comfy if you’re feeling all sorts of preggo. Here are some of the most common early pregnancy symptoms you can expect:

• Painful AF Boobs: It’s like right before your period, times a billion.
  
• Exhaustion: Heightened levels of the hormone progesterone can make you feel freiken’ TIRED. It should even out by the second trimester, and it’s nothing compared to the fourth!
  
• Gotta Pee, Like Every 5 Minutes: And It Never Stops Again.
  
• Heightened Sense Of Smell: This could be from the higher levels of estrogen, but many pregnant women say their gag reflex goes into overdrive at the start of pregnancy. 
  
• Food Aversions: “Are you REALLY going to eat that tuna salad RIGHT NOW?!?!?!!?” ‘Nuff said.
  
• Nausea: Morning sickness generally starts at around 8 weeks, but some women feel queasy at the onset of pregnancy.
  
• Heightened Basal Body Temperature: If you’ve been charting to get pregnant, and it’s been over two weeks, odds are you preg.
  
• Bleeding: Some women get a pink or reddish stain around the time they should be getting a period. However, if you’re experiencing pain along with spotting, call your healthcare provider.
  

Hell yeah! According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), you can – and should – work out right up until delivery. It’s crucial to staying healthy and some professionals feel that working out can even help with labor, delivery and how you feel following birth. The ACOG recommends women with routine pregnancies get 30 minutes or more of moderate movement a day. Just remember to get the green light from your doctor before hitting the spin bike + avoid anything dangerous as your growing bump will throw off your balance (Sayonara fencing, horseback riding, ice hockey + gymnastics!) Oh, and save the skiing/scuba for your next vacay. Any activity that takes you up past 6,000 feet or way below sea level poses a heightened risk of decompression sickness. Just remember to start slow, stay hydrated + get a good sports bra. Let your body lead + enjoy the process. For more on prenatal workouts, check out TKTKTK (hyperlink) and if you have any concerns or concerns, consult your doc!