The Ultimate First Trimester To-Do List for New Moms
Congratulations, mama! You’re pregnant!!
Whether it’s a complete surprise or you’ve waited for this baby for a long time, this is a life changing moment.
And it can be a scary one.
Because I’m sharing a helpful list of things to prepare for and make sure your first trimester goes smoothly so you can get all the rest you need. And if you don’t have time to read this post, you can pin it and read it for later!
Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Ideally, you should begin taking these up to 6 months before conceiving. But if you’re not, start as soon as you find out your pregnant. My morning sickness wasn’t too bad, so I was able to take my prenatal vitamins in the morning with food. However, I know several moms who had to take prenatal vitamins at night since the mornings were very challenging in their first trimester.
Now’s a great time to take advantage of Amazon’s Subscribe & Save option, so you don’t have to worry about running out.
Schedule Your First OB Appointment
Your OB will want to see you between 6-8 weeks of pregnancy. As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, call to schedule your first OB appointment. And then they can get you on track for all your appointments, scans, and checks.
Don’t forget to ask about any existing medication you’re taking, to make sure that it’s safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Cut Out Certain Foods
We know alcohol during pregnancy is a no-go. But there are a few more foods you’ll need to cut out too:
Deli meat due to listeria concerns
Fish with high mercury levels
Anything with raw eggs – be on the lookout for salad dressings and mayo
Cheeses made with unpasteurized milk – check the label to make sure it clearly states that they’re made with pasteurized milk
Eat the Rainbow
No, I don’t mean skittles. But you can add a lot more foods to your diet to support you in pregnancy. Here are some of the delicious foods that are great during pregnancy:
Green veggies like broccoli, spinach, and asparagus
Beans
Yogurt
Lentils
Chicken & beef
Citrus fruits
Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is vital during pregnancy and when you’re breastfeeding. During pregnancy, you’ll need to increase your water intake by 50%. So, grab a straw and your favorite water bottle and drink up!
Cut Back on Caffeine
If you’re a coffee addict, it’s time to gradually start replacing your coffee with tea or decaf. Too much caffeine has been known to cause birth defects, premature labor and low birth weight. Unfortunately, it’s not clear how much caffeine is ‘too much’. My OB told me to aim for less than 200mg per day. That’s roughly one cup of coffee a day. Good luck!
Prepare for Morning Sickness
Morning sickness occurs in almost every pregnancy and usually begins around 6-8 weeks. You may already be experiencing morning sickness. Or you could be dreading the thought of it. Either way, it’s a good idea to be prepared so you can enjoy your first trimester as much as possible.
Here a few things that can help tackle morning sickness:
Preggie Pops: I was popping these bad boys in my mouth constantly. And I had stashes of them all over my house and in my purse.
An acupressure wrist band: I started using this at work and it would help me overcome nausea. It also worked with my motion sickness.
Snacks: I found that pretzels and crackers worked best to settle my stomach.
Hair ties: No one wants to throw up in their hair.
Download a Pregnancy App
Apps are the best way to track your pregnancy and see what to expect along the way. Some of the best pregnancy apps are Ovia and The Bump.
Decide How to Tell Your S.O.
You could scour Pinterest to figure out the most romantic way to tell your husband. Or you could blurt it out? Or you could just do what I did…hand them the positive pregnancy test. I chose not to hide the pregnancy test from my husband in the first place, so he knew I was going to take it anyway.
Start Reading Pregnancy Books or Articles
If you’re a first-time mom, you’ll want to start learning as much as you can about what to expect. Your body is preparing to undergo major changes over the next 9 months. You can prepare for those changes with pregnancy books or articles.
No need to go overboard and read everything you can get your hands on. But it will be useful to read some trusted guides - like What to Expect When You’re Expecting - that you can refer back to throughout your pregnancy.
Plan Your Pregnancy Announcement
Start browsing Pinterest for some fun ways to share the exciting news with friends and family! You may want to shout from the rooftops that you’re pregnant, but it’s advisable to wait until you’re safely through your first trimester.
We didn’t have a difficult time getting pregnant, but it was something we decided to wait to share until we were further through the first trimester. We wanted to make sure Baby Woz was strong and healthy. Not to mention we just wanted to enjoy this wonderful secret together before telling friends and family.
Sign Up for Childcare
I know what you’re thinking. You just found out you’re pregnant and you already need to start thinking about childcare if you decide to go back to work? Yes, you do.
Now, this does depend on where you live and what your needs will be, but you might want to sign up soon. Where I live, it isn’t too bad, but my family members that live in bigger cities have had a monstrous time getting into childcare.
Take some time to scout out the childcare options where you live to see if they would be a right fit for you and your family.
Check Your Insurance
You can check your benefits out on your insurance account, or you can just give them a call ask them what they cover and what they don’t cover. And don’t forget to ask them about getting a free breast pump.
Plan Your Maternity Dates and Leave
You’ll be in a position to pick maternity leave dates once you’ve had your first OB appointment. It doesn’t have to be done immediately, but it’s good to start thinking about it sooner rather than later.
Don’t’ forget to ask your S.O. if they have any sort of leave as well other than vacation days.
Start Planning Your Baby Budget
I get it. You want your baby to have the best of the best. But let’s be honest. Babies are expensive as all get out.
Yikes!
Never fear. I’ve created a budget template for you. All you have to do is plug in the numbers.
Cut Your Spending
If you’re still worried about how your baby will affect your finances, I get it. I was that way too. Take a look at this list of ways to Prepare for Your Big Arrival on a Small Budget.
Phew! I hope you find this list of things to do when you find out you’re pregnant useful.
This is a truly exciting time, mama – if you can cherish these moments through the morning sickness!
