Are you beaming with happiness because you just found out you’re pregnant? Congrats mama! Now, you’re probably wondering what to do when you find out you’re pregnant. Which I don’t blame you, specially if it’s your first pregnancy. Everything is new and exiting to you, I mean you are going to be a mom!
I have an article on what to do the moment that you find out you’re pregnant, which you can call part one. And this article is the second part because I’m sharing 15 more helpful and useful things to do in the beginning of your pregnancy. These are the tips that you need to read when pregnant for the first time.
Have a belly only pregnancy and don’t gain excess weight, learn how here!
When should I go to the doctor to confirm pregnancy?
You should schedule an appointment as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. With both of my pregnancies, that is exactly what I did!
” your first prenatal visit will generally be around 8 weeks after your LMP (last menstrual period)” (source)
What should I expect in my first pregnancy?
With your first pregnancy, you should expect a lot of things to happen. Specially to your body and mood! Here’s a helpful article on the 11 things you should know about the first trimester of pregnancy!
15 more things to do when you find out you’re pregnant
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here!
1.Take another pregnancy test
If you haven’t yet, you may want to take another pregnancy test just to be sure. Sometimes pregnancy tests may show a false positive as it may also show a false negative.With both of my pregnancies, I took 2 to 3 tests to make sure I was in fact pregnant!
quick recommendation:
I used two different pregnancy tests. The First response (popular among moms to be) which shows two bright pink lines if you’re pregnant. Or my favorite one the Clear blue, which says “pregnant” or “not pregnant”.
2. Invest in a good stretch mark lotion
Start applying stretch mark lotion and creams in the beginning of your pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks during your pregnancy. Sometimes, getting stretch marks is inevitable but you can help reduce it.
I loved and used the Palmer’s cocoa butter stretch mark lotion.
3. Educate yourself
When you first find out you’re pregnant, there’s a lot that questions and thoughts that go running through your head. Specially if it’s your first pregnancy.
That’s why it’s a great idea to get educated and invest in this online prenatal class! It will give you peace of mind knowing what to expect during and after pregnancy. It will also provide you with helpful information about birth!
4. Take pictures to document your pregnancy
Take pictures to document your exciting pregnancy journey. I wished I did this with both of my pregnancies. It would have been lovely looking at my progress and it’s also really fun!
Here’s a fun article on creative baby bump progress ideas!
5. Have a pregnancy journal
Having a pregnancy journal is a lot of fun and super helpful for the mama to be (that’s you!). Having a pregnancy journal helps you be organized and on task during each phase of your pregnancy.
It includes checklists to help you survive motherhood, breastfeeding and postpartum period. It also has pre-baby checklists and more! Get your own pregnancy journal here!
6. Set up your first doctor’s appointment
It’s time to call your doctor mama and set up your first doctor’s appointment. How exciting! Your first appointment will be at around 8 weeks of pregnancy because the doctor can better provide you with an estimated due date, see or hear your baby’s heartbeat and more.
7. Start easy exercises
You can still exercise when you’re pregnant, but the exercises can’t be too intense. Just keep it simple with light weights exercises, walking, light cardio and such.
Check out this great article on exercising in your first trimester!
8. Think about your finances
Now is the time you may want to talk about your finances with your partner. You can both decide what things to cut out of your life, for example going out to eat. Decide whether or not you can live without having cable or if you really need a Brazilian wax every month?
Think about how much money you’re going to set aside every month for your baby. I mean every single penny counts here mom and you’ll be less stressed knowing that you have a budget for baby.
Here’s a helpful finance checklist during your pregnancy, worth checking out!
9. Stock up on diapers
One of the first things you can start doing the minute that you find out you’re pregnant is to stock up on baby diapers! It’s so important because you are going to go through them fast!
I suggest you stock up on size 1 because your baby will most likely outgrow the newborn size pretty quick.
10. Sleep
Rest rest rest mama! Make sure you are resting and getting a good night sleep, specially in your first trimester. Your body is going to go through a lot and making sure that you are not stressed but relaxed will benefit you in the long run.
Rea this next:
10 first trimester must haves to help you survive and get through it
10 crazy helpful ways to survive the first trimester
11. Think about baby names
Thinking about baby names may seem too early but I like to have a few options in the beginning. So, get a pen and a paper and write down you and your partner’s favorite baby names on a piece of paper. You can narrow it down during your pregnancy. This way, you are not going crazy and fighting with your partner about naming your baby while you’re giving birth!
This Baby prep workbook is going to help you narrow down your baby name ideas, help you be organized and prepared for your baby’s arrival!
12. What’s your birth plan?
Do you have an idea of what you want your birth to be like? You can start writing down your birth plan and edit it along the way.
You may want to have a natural epidural free birth, which is amazing. Or you may want to have an epidural during your birth (which I totally did!). It’s your choice mama!
You can get more information on both types of births right here!
13. Read pregnancy books
One of the first things that I did when I was pregnant is to buy a few pregnancy books. I loved reading everything about what to expect when I was pregnant, birth and life after that. I think reading books about being pregnant is fun and educational as well, you are going to love it!
Here are a few of my favorites:
14. Check your medications
If you are taking medication for any health reasons, you may want to check in with your doctor. Your doctor will let you know if it’s still safe to take while being pregnant or she/he may prescribe you a lower dosage or a different medication that will not hurt your growing baby’s development.
Please speak with your health care provider the minute that you think you’re pregnant so she/he can better assist your needs 🙂
15. Enjoy it!
Yes mama! Enjoy this season of life that you are in. I mean, you’re pregnant!! This is such a joyous moment and you need to celebrate and enjoy it! There’s nothing like being pregnant and feeling your baby’s first kicks. It’s truly amazing!
I hope you found this post helpful in knowing the 15 more things to do when you find out you’re pregnant. Be prepared, have fun and enjoy your pregnancy!
