13+ Things You Need To Do When You Find Out You Are Pregnant
If you are reading this post then congratulations, you likely just found out that you are pregnant. Whether it was planned or not, there is a lot to do and prepare for in the coming months! If you’re like most people, you’ll need help navigating your way through the first few months of parenthood and figuring out what to do next. That’s why I’m writing this blog post for all my new mom friends out there who want to know what they need to do during the first trimester, some tips that will make their lives a little easier during their first pregnancy. If ever wondered “What should I be doing 1st trimester?” or “What is most important in the first trimester?”, then this post is for you! We will dive into the top things to do in the first trimester, as well as provide you with a Printable First trimester checklist pdf to help you stay focused and organized.
What is the First Trimester Like?
During the first trimester of pregnancy, you will likely have no physical symptoms (everyone is different). You may have little nausea and vomiting but this is not experienced by all women. During the first trimester, your main focus should be on taking care of yourself and getting used to the idea that you are pregnant!
It’s a huge milestone in anyone’s life and you should be proud that you’re growing a baby. Some women may feel “pregnancy brain” during the first trimester which makes it hard to remember things or process information quickly, so pay attention! Also, if your period is late then take a pregnancy test just to rule out any pregnancy-related issues before going on.
Mental Changes During The First Trimester You Need To Prepare For
During the first trimester (and throughout), many women experience an overactive imagination about what will happen in the future with their pregnancy. This can make them anxious and worried about everything from how well they’ll handle labor to worries about hurting their unborn child. I want you to know that this normal
How Do I Take Care Of Myself In The First Trimester?
- The first step in taking care of yourself during the first trimester is learning how to relax. Make sure that you prioritize self-care which includes eating healthy foods, exercising at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more, sleeping at least 7 hours per night, spending time with friends and family members who support you, reducing stress levels where possible and staying away from
First Trimester To Do List For First Time Moms
Don’t forget to sign up and download the FREE First Trimester To-Do List for First Time Moms, below:
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13+ Things First Time Moms Need To Do When They Find Out They Are Pregnant
“So you’re pregnant? Congrats!”
What do you need to know about pregnancy? How will it affect your life? I’m here to help.
I’ve compiled a list of things that first-time moms should know about their first trimester to make things easier.
1) Make a doctor’s appointment
Make a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. This will help you to get the right prenatal care for your pregnancy and ensure that your baby is born healthy! You should also try to go to a woman’s health center, OBGYN, or pediatrician that is close by the place of residence.
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2) Create a plan for your week, month, and year that includes anything from work to hobbies
After you get back from your doctor’s appointment, create your plan for the rest of the month and year. This may include anything from work to hobbies. Post it out in a place where you will see it easily so that you can always have an update on what needs to be done next!
I recommend you get yourself a pregnancy planner, like the one below:
3) Think about a nursery
If you don’t have a baby’s room yet, start thinking now about what kind of theme or color scheme you want to do. This will help you to save money and time in the long run! If you don’t want to go through all that trouble, just wait until your baby is born to make up your mind. If you need some inspiration for baby nursery themes, check out my blog post: 5+ Cute Baby Nursery Room Ideas For Girls and Boys.
4) Research pregnancy signs and symptoms
As I mentioned before, everyone is different. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms early on and for others, it doesn’t start until much later on in the first trimester. It’s best to research what are normal pregnancy symptoms for you specifically so that when they happen either relax or contact your doctor if something feels wrong. You should already be taking some vitamin supplements such as prenatal vitamins.
Common First Trimester symptoms pregnant women experience are morning sickness, constipation, and nausea. Here is something you can take to help with your first trimester symptoms (please always consult with your doctor):
5) Learn More About Body Changes During Pregnancy
You should research what’s happening with your body during pregnancy and educate yourself on how it will affect you physically and emotionally. Here are some things to expect (most of the time) during your first trimester:
Related: 11 Early Signs of Pregnancy
6) Send out birth announcements or create social media posts announcing pregnancy so friends know you’re expecting!
Telling others about your pregnancy is one of the best things that you can do because it will help relieve some anxiety that might come with being pregnant. It also may unlock some helpful resources for first-time moms which can make their pregnancy easier.
If you need some pregnancy announcement inspiration, check out this blog post.
7) Make a list of all the things you want to do before the baby arrives
Make a list of all the things you want to do before the baby arrives. This will help you set goals for yourself and give you an idea of what will be happening in your life over the next few months. Set your due date as well so you have some sort of date to look forward to.
8) Buy maternity clothes and/or find creative ways to wear your regular clothes
You should already have a good idea of which clothes are going to be too big or small for you depending on your first-trimester weight gain. I suggest buying a few maternity brands that you like and wearing those throughout the pregnancy as well as finding creative ways to wear regular clothes such as tying them really tight around the waist.
To help you get started, here is a list of stores and Maternity clothes you should check out:
Maternity Stores:
Maternity Clothes:
9) Research local parenting resources in the area (i.e., daycare centers, schools).
You will want to start researching local parenting resources in your area, that way you can start creating a plan for where your baby will be living and what services you are going to use. This is also good to do if you ever move out of the state or city and have no idea how different places may treat first-time moms.
10) Get an early start on cooking for yourself and your baby
By stocking up on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources such as eggs or fish, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils; avoid processed food items high in salt or sugar content.
If you need a bit of assistance with meal planning, especially along the lines of pregnancy, try these resources:
- $5 Meal Plan (Budget Friendly Meal Planning)
- Stork the Freezer (Tailored To Mommy To Be)
11) Take prenatal vitamins
Taking prenatal vitamins daily will guarantee that you are giving your body all of the nutrients needed during pregnancy. Below, you will see some prenatal vitamin options (always consult with your doctor about which one is the best option for you):
12) Keep Track of All your Symptoms and Body Changes
Write down any symptoms or changes in your body so that you can talk to your doctor about them when you get an appointment. It will help make a potential first-trimester problem, something you and your doctor know about as soon as possible. Making a list of questions to ask your doctor is another good idea for first-time moms. Use a designated folder to keep all your important documents from the doctor visits and, a notebook with your questions, symptoms, and concerns for the doctor.
13) Find Free & Paid Parenting Classes near you and take a class
Joining parent groups offer great advice, support, and resources for first-time moms. Taking a class or educational parenting program will help you learn how to best care for your baby.
*insert article on finding free classes/articles/resources in the area*
If you are interested in taking classes from the comfort our your home instead, here is a list of classes to help you as a first-time mom:
- FREE Birth Preparation Workshop
- Birth It Up: Natural Series
- Birth It Up: Epidural Series
- Baby on A Budget Course
- Milkology (Breastfeeding 101 Course)
- Birth It Up: C-session Series
- Free Beginner Prenatal Course
14) Remember, this is just the beginning! You have plenty of time to prepare for birth and beyond!
Now that you have read about how to start your first trimester, remember it is just the beginning. There are plenty of things that may come up during pregnancy that will require medical attention and prepare-for situations; however, with time, experience, and the right attitude – you will be a great mom!
15) Find out more about what happens during labor by reading some books on childbirth (or watching videos)
You don’t have to remember everything you read, so don’t worry about that. Just get an idea of what to expect in the first trimester and how it will feel when it happens for real!
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting
- Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month, Sixth Edition
- What to Expect: The Congratulations, You’re Expecting! Gift Set: (Includes What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect The First Year)
The Last Thing You Need to Know about Getting Ready for First Trimester as a First Time Moms
First-time moms, this is the first-trimester to-do list for you! It’s packed with 13+ things you need to accomplish before the baby arrives. All of these tasks will make your pregnancy easier and help set yourself up for success as a new parent. From buying maternity clothes or creative ways to wear regular clothes, researching parenting resources in the area such as daycare centers and schools, and cooking healthy foods that are good for mommy-to-be and baby alike; there’s something on here everyone can use. Don’t forget about all those symptoms either: write them down so they’re fresh in mind when it comes time to talk with your doctor at an appointment during the first trimester.
As always, sharing is caring! Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends, family, and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, etc.).
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