First Trimester To-Dos

by Ally Cohen

on Oct 26

Having a baby is one of the most joyous times in many women's lives. From thinking about the day you'll bring your little one home, to picking a name and nursery colors, the excitement is intense. But you also need to take some practical steps during the first trimester, including:

Choose a doctor. Do you want an obstetrician or a midwife? Get referrals and find out what your health insurance covers.
Schedule a prenatal visit as soon as you know you’re pregnant. You’ll cover a lot of ground in the first appointment. The doctor will take a full medical history and talk to you about your lifestyle and health habits. They’ll figure out your due date. You’ll also have blood and urine tests and possibly a pelvic exam.
Continue with prenatal visits every 4 weeks. The doctor will check your weight and blood pressure, test your urine and listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
Learn what other tests and screenings you may need, such as tests to look for genetic problems with your baby.
Start taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid to help your baby’s brain and spinal cord grow properly.
Ask your doctor what prescription and over-the-counter medicines you can still safely take.
Take a look at your diet and make any changes you need to make sure you and your baby get the right nutrition. Drink plenty of water.
Break bad habits like smoking and illegal drug use. Cut out alcohol and cut down on caffeine.
Keep up your workout routine, but listen to your body. You may need to change what kind of exercise you do, or ease up a little.
Research what it costs to have a baby and start making changes. Will you have to pay for child care? Will you cut back on work? Draw up a new budget that reflects the new addition.
Decide when and how you’ll share your news. You may want to wait until you’ve heard the baby’s heartbeat, or made it safely past the first trimester. It’s also smart to find out your company’s policies on maternity leave and learn your rights before you tell your boss.