Congrats, mama! You’re pregnant! This is such a huge time in your life! And even though your mental to-do list just multiplied by a hundred, don’t freak out yet! To make it easier on you, I’ve come up with a first-trimester checklist of the most important things to do during those first 13 weeks.
I’m currently in the third trimester of my first pregnancy, so I’ve learned a little bit along the way… Things to do, things you shouldn’t do, things that can wait for a later date, etc. You’ve got nine full months to get ready for your little one. I promise — even though it might not seem like it now — that’s plenty of time to do everything you need to do.
So for now, let’s just focus on the first trimester! Hopefully, this list helps you feel more prepared for welcoming a new, little baby and gets you on the right track.
1. Announce your pregnancy to your partner
Once you get that first positive pregnancy test, it’s going to be impossible to keep the big news to yourself! Find a cute way to tell your husband or partner that your family is about to gain its newest member. I told Mr. Smith with a “wedding gift” when I announced my pregnancy.
2. Calculate your due date
If this is your first experience with being pregnant, you may be a little confused by calculating your due date. Your due date will be 9 months from the first day of your missed period — NOT the date you two got it on.
3. Start taking prenatal vitamins
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, it’s important you start taking a daily prenatal vitamin. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, your baby is going through lots of neurological development and needs folic acid. Do your research to find the right vitamin for you, but most vitamins you can buy at a drug store are going to be a safe bet.
4. Find an OBGYN or midwife
Ask friends, family or coworkers who they’d suggest you work with. The most important step on this first-trimester checklist is picking an OB/midwife because they will be the ones to guide you through pregnancy and birth. I didn’t know the difference between an OB and midwife at first, but this article explains it wonderfully. In my experience, if you have the option to work with a midwife, do that! They’re much more supportive of any choices you make regarding your pregnancy and labor preferences.
5. Check your diet and any medications
Make sure you’re only putting healthy, baby-safe foods and medications into your body. Even if you haven’t met with your OB/Midwife yet, give their office a call and ask if you have any questions regarding diet or medications. They will be able to give you personalized answers rather than searching through Google.
6. Keep a pregnancy journal
It doesn’t have to be overly structured, but keep a notebook — or note on your phone — where you can write down all the changes you notice in your body. This will not only be helpful for sentimental reasons down the road but it will also be a great place to write down any questions for your OB/midwife.
7. Download a pregnancy app
It’s unlikely that in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy you’ll have much of a bump. But that doesn’t mean things aren’t happening in there! Your baby is developing really quickly, and even though he’s small, it’s a lot of fun to get those weekly updates on an app. My favorite app is the ‘What to Expect’ app because it’s straight to the point. But ‘BabyCenter’ is also great for pregnancy articles and forums.
8. Contact your insurance
If you have insurance, chances are that all of the “required” prenatal visits and tests will be covered with no co-pay. Things that aren’t required are things like extra sonograms and some genetic testing. Each insurance plan is different, so give your company a call and see how much you’ll be paying out of pocket. Also, make sure to ask about getting a free breast pump!
9. Contact your HR department at work
Just like insurance, every employer has slightly different rules when it comes to your pregnancy. Figure out how your HR handles maternity leave and pay once the baby gets here. Trust me from my experience, you don’t want to be surprised with a change in your maternity leave plans later down the road!
10. Go to your first prenatal doctor appointment
Most people will have their first prenatal appointment anywhere from 8-12 weeks. During this appointment, you’ll have lots of tests, bloodwork and generic questions about your medical history. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see your baby for the first time on an ultrasound!
11. Keep researching!
Pregnancy inevitably brings up lots and lots of questions, but don’t get overwhelmed! If this is your first pregnancy, you’ll be googling something every hour. Just know that your body is going to be changing in lots of ways, and they’re probably all normal! Start looking into things like pediatricians, birth plans, diet restrictions, and other dos and don’ts.
12. Plan how you’ll announce your pregnancy to friends and family
One of the more exciting parts of pregnancy is finally sharing the news with the world at the end of your first trimester. There are so many creative ways to tell your friends and family. If you want a good cry, check out “pregnancy annoucement” videos on youtube to get some ideas. The ones where grandpa gets emotional are the best!
13. Start a pre-baby to-do list
Try to keep your stress levels low, but also start creating a list of all the things that need to be done before baby’s arrival. Do you have projects around the house to finish up? Big items you’ll need to buy? Trips you need to take? Keep track of all of these things!
16. Create a budget
Babies are expensive, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Sit down with your partner and create a budget for your pregnancy and after baby’s arrival. A great way to save money is to start creating a stockpile for household things. Buy in bulk and stock up while things are on sale!
14. Start thinking of baby names
Things really start feeling real once you and your partner start talking baby names! I wrote a post of all the baby names we like if you’d like some inspiration. If you want to avoid unsolicited advice on your choice, keep the name to yourselves until baby’s born.
15. Use a stretch mark cream
You’re probably not going to be showing much by the end of your first trimester, but it’s never too early to prevent stretch marks. Not only will your belly grow, but so will your boobs, hips, thighs and butt! Don’t neglect those areas of your body, because they can just as easily get stretch marks.
17. Start a baby registry
I had more fun creating my baby registry than just about anything else during my first trimester. I watched a lot of baby shower haul videos on youtube and asked my friends and family what they suggest. The most helpful tip is to register for gender-neutral big-ticket items. You don’t want a $400 pink stroller for your first baby and then find out baby number two is a boy!
18. Drink lots of water
Pregnancy takes a lot out of your body in the first trimester, whether it be morning sickness or fatigue. Keep your body hydrated and well-fed so that you can feel as good as you possibly can. Even if it seems impossible to keep anything down.
19. Get some light exercise
If you exercised before getting pregnant, it’s probably totally safe to maintain whatever routine you had during the first trimester — but ask your doctor! If you didn’t exercise, try to incorporate walking or light cardio to your daily routine.
20. Take weekly belly photos
Start tracking the size of your growing belly with weekly photos! It’ll be fun to look back and see how quickly you grew.
This first-trimester checklist may seem a bit overwhelming, but I promise it’s not so bad! You’ve got 13 full weeks to start thinking about these things. And the good news is, you’re actually in the easiest trimester (if you don’t count morning sickness and fatigue)! These few months are all about being healthy and sharing the excitement with your partner. Enjoy it!
Did you find this list helpful? What’s on your first-trimester checklist? What SHOULD have been on your first-trimester checklist? I’d love to know in the comments below!
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