Three Things to do When You Find Out You're Pregnant
What to do when you find out you're pregnant
You probably just googled, "I'm pregnant, what should I do" or something similar if you have found yourself on this page.
And Woah.
Two pink lines. Or maybe a Blue Plus Sign. Alllll the big feelings are welling up inside of you
You're pregnant! If you just found out you're pregnant and not sure what to think, feel, or do first, this article is for you. New pregnancy comes with a ton of emotions, whether it was a planned pregnancy or unplanned pregnancy. There is usually a combination of excitement, fear, worry, and wonder. You're probably wondering, "What is the first thing I should do when I get pregnant". If you're like me, the first thing you'll do is pick up your phone and text and call your best friend while googling a thousand questions. Take a deep breath, Mama (yeah, Mama, you're one of us now... welcome to the club) and slow down. Read this article on Three Things to do when you find out you're pregnant.
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Introduction to things to do when you find out you're pregnant
Telling People you're pregnant
Choosing a pregnancy care provider & setting up your first pregnancy appointment
Learn how to have a healthy pregnancy
Join Pregnancy Support Group
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Telling People You're Pregnant
The first thing you'll want to do when you find out you're pregnant is figure out who you want to tell (or not tell) first. Deciding when to share your pregnancy with others can be extremely stressful. Some things to consider are how you feel about your pregnancy and how the person you're telling will react. Other's opinions don't matter, but if you're feeling uneasy and nervous, the last thing you need to do is tell someone who is unsupportive of your emotions and concerns. Even if you're super excited to be pregnant, you may want to be cautious who you share this with. Some people do not have pleasant or supportive responses to pregnancy announcements, so it is best to tell your significant other, a trusted friend, or close family member first, and prepare yourself with the support of your close loved ones, for telling other people.
You may find you don't want to share your pregnancy until the second trimester. Some people keep the news of pregnancy quiet so they don't have to share bad news if a miscarriage happens. Others choose to share the news early because they don't want to wait for something bad to happen, and want support if they experience a miscarriage. Okay so you've told your significant other that you're pregnant, you called your best friend, and your mom knows.
Making your first pregnancy care appointment
Have you called your doctor yet? Not so fast... Yes, you should probably make an appointment with your healthcare provider. But I want you to think about something first. Most women call their regular GYN and assume they will also be their pregnancy care provider, which makes sense considering most OB/GYNs provide both services. But just because your provider is an amazing gynecologist does not mean they are the best pregnancy provider for you. I know it's a lot to think about early on, but you have a lot of options in prenatal care that you might not even realize you have. Take time to interview some different providers and see which pregnancy provider is right for you.
Be prepared that you're first appointment may not be for a few weeks. It's very common for providers to schedule the first prenatal appointment for around "8 weeks gestation". However, you may want to be seen sooner for certain blood tests to confirm pregnancy, check pregnancy hormones, and address any potential needs for progesterone supplementation (progesterone is the hormone that maintains pregnancy). Sometimes your first appointment might include an ultrasound, especially if you need a "dating scan".
Okay, you've told your friends and family (or not) that you're pregnant, you've set some appointments up with healthcare providers, what's next?
Planning a healthy pregnancy
Start Learning!! Surely the googling started as soon as the positive test line showed up. But I mean, really start learning. Stop googling. Start reading books and taking classes. Most childbirth and breastfeeding classes are reserved for the second or third trimester, but I offer a free Healthy Start Pregnancy class that you can take today that will introduce you to some pregnancy topics, address some questions, and provide you with some resources on what to expect throughout your pregnancy, when to worry, and how to stay healthy. Healthy Start Pregnancy also includes a Reading Recommendations List with all of my favorite books to read during pregnancy. Healthy Start Pregnancy also comes with a downloadable PDF workbook with resource links, space for note-taking, and important highlights from the on-demand pregnancy class. The Downloadable Workbook also includes nutrition and fitness trackers, questions to ask your OB or Midwife and more! What is the first thing on your "pregnancy to do list?"
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Jaimie Zaki is a Doula, IBCLC (lactation consultant), author and homeschooling MOM of four. Jaimie helps women prepare for a positive pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding experience. Jaimie offers virtual prenatal support groups, online prenatal preparation classes, virtual lactation support, in person breastfeeding help in Wichita Falls, Texas and more. If you have questions about your pregnancy, birth plans, or breastfeeding, contact Jaimie today!
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