I’m Pregnant: Now What?

2 min. Read

Discovering you're pregnant often brings with it a wave of conflicting emotions. The way everyone responds to a positive pregnancy test is highly individual. Amid your emotions, it can be challenging to concentrate and focus on what to do. Here are the most important things to do in the first few weeks of your new pregnancy.

1. Confirming a Pregnancy After a Positive Test

Even if you've already done one pregnancy test, a second one using a different brand is always a good idea. If you haven’t done a pregnancy test at all yet, consider doing it when your partner is home if you have one. That way you can process the news together.

2. When to Share Your Pregnancy News

Try to enjoy the very early weeks of your pregnancy with just yourself or your partner. It's such a special time. The need to shout it from the rooftops can feel strong, but it's often better to wait a bit. There is plenty of time to share your news and before you know it you won’t be able to hide your big belly! It's generally safer to wait until the end of your first trimester to tell the world. After your first trimester your risk of miscarrying is significantly lower. However, that said you should share your news whenever it feels right for you.

3. Choosing a Doctor or Midwife for Prenatal Care

Even if your home pregnancy test was positive, it's important to have your pregnancy confirmed by a professional. You'll be seeing a lot of your chosen healthcare provider over the coming months so it's important to find someone that you trust and are comfortable with. Once you've found your match, give your pregnancy a good start and schedule your first prenatal appointment.

4. How to Calculate Your Pregnancy Due Date

Don’t panic: you don’t need advanced math skills here. Use our simple due date calculator. Knowing your due date means you can set up a countdown, which is great for planning. Before you know it, your baby will be ready to meet you.

5. Early Pregnancy Health and Lifestyle Changes

Your body is your unborn baby's home for 9 months. To help your baby grow and develop you need to pay attention to your health. For starters, make sure your diet is high in folic acid and take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Do your best to follow a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. Looking after your body also means avoiding things that could be harmful to you and your baby. You don’t need to live in a bubble but it’s advised you give up:

Alcohol. There is no proven safe amount, type, or time to drink alcohol during pregnancy for you and your unborn baby
Cigarettes and vaping. They are full of harmful toxins and can cause defects in your baby.
Foods like soft cheeses, certain fish, raw eggs and meat, and some food additives. They can be potentially harmful.

The information of this article has been reviewed by nursing experts of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment. For more advice from AWHONN nurses, visit Healthy Mom&Baby at health4mom.org.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you have already taken a pregnancy test, it’s recommended to confirm your pregnancy with a second test, ideally using a different brand. If you have not taken a test yet, consider doing it when your partner is home so you can process the news together.

Many people choose to wait until the end of the first trimester to share their pregnancy news, as the risk of miscarriage is significantly lower after this stage. However, you should share your news whenever it feels right for you.

It’s important to have your pregnancy confirmed by a healthcare professional. You will see your provider frequently during pregnancy, so finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with is essential. Once chosen, you should schedule your first prenatal appointment.

You can calculate your pregnancy due date using a simple due date calculator. Knowing your due date helps you plan and prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Focus on maintaining a healthy diet that is high in folic acid and take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Get plenty of rest and avoid potentially harmful substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, vaping, soft cheeses, certain fish, raw eggs, raw meat, and some food additives.