Pregnancy To Do List: First Trimester

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase of woman’s life. The feeling of carrying a little soul within you is astonishing. But as soon as you see those two lines on the pregnancy test, right from providing best health care provider to announcing the good news to relatives, everything seems overwhelming. To reduce the burden on mom-to-be and to make her life easier, we have come halfway and listed out the to-do list for the first trimester.

1. Choose healthcare provider:

Choosing best healthcare provider is utmost important because prenatal healthcare ensures good health of you and your growing baby over the coming months. Do some homework, get feedback about various healthcare providers from friends and family and decide what’s best for you.

2. Prenatal appointment:

Once you have decided on healthcare provider, it is time to call up the doctor and book an appointment. This usually happens when you are 8 weeks pregnant. Prepare the list of questions to ask and clarify your mind. Discuss what all medicines (over-the-counter) are safe during pregnancy.

3. Connect with health insurance provider:

Check on what your health insurance plan covers as far as maternity costs are concerned and also get to know how to add your newborn to the family healthcare plan.

4. Enhance your knowledge about pregnancy:

Pregnancy is a mystery. Though the medical science has advanced so much, each woman’s body responds differently for pregnancy. There are so many aches, pains and strange feelings that could arise during pregnancy. Read the books and discuss with your doctor and friends about those and try to know what is normal and what is not.

5. Know what is safe and what is not:

Start familiarizing you with what is safe and what is not during pregnancy. Start taking your prenatal vitamin to provide sufficient folic acid for baby’s growth. Drink lots of water to stay well-hydrated and avoid fatigue, constipation. Eat well and eat nutritious food. Avoid the food which could harm your baby such as unripened papaya. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol consumption. Cut down caffeine consumption.

6. Make sure activities are pregnancy-safe:

Avoid the household chores which could be dangerous to your baby such as using the cleansing product, cleaning pets’ dirt, tasks involving pesticides, etc. Also avoid exposure to strong chemicals, radiations, heavy metals.

7. Exercise regularly:

Join prenatal exercise classes or do it yourself – but keep it in moderation. Moderate exercise or prenatal yoga or a quick walk is an energy booster.

8. Take care of yourself:

Pregnancy is the time to pamper yourself. Get some extra sleep – it is not just to pamper yourself but also to provide the much-needed rest to your body. The hormones are playing their cards and making your energy drain out. So, go to bed early and take power naps whenever required.

9. Announcing pregnancy:

Some women spill the beans to friends, family and co-workers right away whereas others wait until the second trimester when the chance of miscarriage is reduced. It is your call. Decide when and how you want to announce your pregnancy.

10. Joining the birth club:

Search for a nearby birth club and join because nobody can understand what you are going through until and unless they are going through the same. Connecting and discussing with the people who are on the same page could be a great relief.

11. Know your rights:

Connect with HR representatives or your employer and get to know about maternity leave policies before and after delivery.

12. The budget for baby:

Plan a budget for maternity and baby and try to stick onto that. If properly planned, the unnecessary expenditure could be cut down by buying certain used items.