Congratulations, you are pregnant!! Now what?
Congratulations, Mama! You’re pregnant and embarking on a new chapter in your life. It’s normal to want to research everything. When I found out I was pregnant, I spent hours on Pinterest because I was so excited and nervous. I’ve put together a beginner’s guide on the first steps to take, or at least start thinking about, when you first get pregnant.
Schedule OB Appointment
Choosing the right obstetrician (OB) is a crucial decision to ensure a smooth and positive pregnancy experience. Some doctors have different approaches to care, so it’s okay to change OBs if you don’t feel comfortable with a certain doctor. Don’t feel bad about switching to a different OB if it’s not the right fit.
Once you have chosen an OB, the next step is to call and schedule an appointment. Most obstetrician offices will want to see you when you are at least eight weeks pregnant, calculated from the first day of your last period. Remembering this date is essential, as you will need it several times during your pregnancy. Remember that depending on how busy your city is, you might not be able to get an appointment right away.
Start taking a Prenatal Vitamin.
Taking your prenatal vitamins is an important step that you should not miss. Prenatal vitamins ensure that you and your baby get everything you need to have a successful pregnancy.
Pregnancy Apps
Using pregnancy apps can be a fun and informative way to track your baby’s development progress. I used a baby growth tracker app, which helped me stay informed about the baby’s size and development.
Here are a few apps that I have tried out and loved!
- What to expect
- Flo Pregnancy Tracker
- The Bump Baby Tracker
- Glow Nurture AI Pregnancy App
- BabyCenter Pregnancy Tracker
Look for Daycare
It may seem premature to start looking for daycare now, but spots for infants are limited. The anxiety of not securing a spot as the return to work date approaches is overwhelming.
Looking for the right daycare can be daunting. There are different childcare options to consider. Daycare centers are facilities that accommodate more children, while in-home daycares typically have fewer children in a more personal setting.
Changing your diet
Your diet needs to change when you get pregnant. There are many differing opinions out there nowadays about this. Personally, I believe that if a certain food makes you feel uncomfortable, you should avoid eating it. I ate cheese and deli meats.
Here are a few food and drink items to avoid.
-Alcohol (obviously)
– Limit caffeine
– Unpasteurized Milk and yogurt
– Soft cheeses
– Deli meat and cheese
– Undercooked meats