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If you’re staring at those two pink lines, thinking “I’m pregnant, now what?” then you have come to the right place for the complete first trimester checklist.
First off CONGRATS Mama! This is such as exciting time, but it can also be extremely overwhelming. It doesn’t matter if this is your first pregnancy or you third there is wave of emotions that will run through you. Now take a deep breath this Complete First Trimester Checklist is here to help you through the first bumps of this new journey!
The Complete First Trimester Checklist
Health and Well-being of Mommy and Baby!
- Start taking Prenatal Vitamins: If you haven’t already make sure to pick up some prenatal vitamins from your local super market or online. These will help to ensure you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins needed for pregnancy. Here are a couple that I recommend!
- Call a Doctor and make your first appointment: You can choose your family doctor or an ob. I seeing an ob for pregnancies. Some doctors will want a blood test done first to confirm pregnancy. Don’ t be alarmed if the doctor wants you to wait till closer to 8 weeks to be seen. Many times this will be your first ultra sound so you need to be around 8 weeks so they can see baby in the ultrasound.
- Change your diet: There are certain foods such as raw fish, Deli meets and unpasteurized cheese that you should avoid during pregnancy. Try to eat healthy and good portions of food. Snacks are a great idea during the day to make sure you are in taking enough food.
- Increase water intake: Staying hydrated during pregnancy is extremely important. So make sure to be drinking lots of water.
- Exercise: While you don’t want to over work your self having a consistent and healthy work out routine will help you though your pregnancy. Something like yoga or going for walks are great pregnancy workouts.
Now to the Fun Things!
- Pregnancy Announcement: Announcing that your pregnant is one of the best ways to celebrate a new pregnancy. With my first pregnancy we only told my parents, his parents and my best friend. We kept it off social media till the baby shower which was about 30 weeks. With my second I told my mom and my best friend but we waited to tell his parents till 7 weeks. We announced it publicly around 9 weeks. It all depends on what you guys are comfortable with. Some tell right away others wait till closer to the second trimester due to the chance of miscarriages in the first trimester.
- Calculate Due Date: This is one thing that always makes it real for me. Use a pregnancy calculator to calculate the expected due date!
- Baby App: There are so many different baby apps out there! My favorite two are Ovia Pregnancy and Pregnancy+. These are great ways to track week by week developments, baby size and things to expect.
- Start your research: There is so much pregnancy information available for you to read up on. What to Expect when Expecting is one of my favorite books.
- Start a pregnancy journal: Document everything! I love taking a before picture along with pictures through out the journey. I also like documenting my weight gain, cravings, how I am feeling and my thoughts.
- Maternity Leave: Start thinking about what your plans are for maternity leave. Depends on where you work you may have paid or unpaid leave which will depend on the length of time you want to take. Most places of employment you are allowed to take 6 weeks others offer more time.
- Maternity Clothes: Now while you may not show to much in your first trimester you will have bloat. With my first pregnancy I stayed in my normal clothes till late second trimester but with my second I moved to maternity pants pretty soon. They are a lot more comfortable then squeezing into my tight pants. If your looking at wearing your normal clothes for as long as possible here are a few things you can do to help make your clothes fit.
Start Preparing Financially
- Start saving money: A baby is a lot of money there is no hiding that. A great way to prepare for all the upcoming expenses is start saving right away.
- Sign up for Amazon Prime: Amazon prime is wonderful for new parents. This is a great way to get diapers, wipes and so much more directly to your door step in two days! Try it for free for 30 days now!
- Sign up for Rakuten: This is a website that will pay you rebates for shopping online. All you do is go to their website and click on the store you want to shop at. You will then get cash back for your online purchase. This is a great way to get cash back for all your online purchase you will be making.
- Sign up for Ibotta: Much like Rakuten this one offers you cash back for items you buy in store. There are times that formula, diapers and more is on the list for rebates. This is another great way to get cash back for your every day purchases.
You’ve got this Mama!
I hope this First Trimester Checklist helped calm the nerves some but remember you got this! No matter what kind of emotions you are experiencing this trimester, practice whatever self care you are able to do. It’s tough work growing a human. Hang in there for this trimester, and keep in mind that the best is yet to come. Oh, second trimester, you are amazing!
Check out my Amazon List for all my Pregnancy Must Haves!!
