Now begins the exciting time of being pregnant. You’ve had the first positive pregnancy test and you have before you about ten months of baby growth, hormonal changes, and many firsts. To prepare for this exciting time, here’s a first trimester pregnancy checklist.
*First prenatal appointment.
Now that you are pregnant, you will want to schedule the first prenatal visit with your favorite OB or midwife. They will perform a pelvic and draw blood and obtain a urine sample to confirm pregnancy and establish a due date. During the first couple of appointments, you will discover how your prenatal visits will go. You will likely be set up for ultrasounds and possibly other tests, depending on your age and state of health.
*Morning sickness.
Not all pregnant women experience morning sickness, but a significant majority do. Generally, morning sickness hits during the first trimester. It can be mild to severe and it can hit any time day or night. It may only hit during the morning hours. If you suffer from it, ask your physician how to deal with it. Possible treatments may be eating saltine crackers, taking vitamin B6, eating special lollipops or candy drops made just for morning sickness (contains vitamin B6).
*Maternity clothing.
While it may seem like a fun idea to run out and purchase maternity clothing, the truth is you may not even need it until the second trimester. That said, some women will begin to show right away and will want to either wear clothing in a size larger or go ahead and wear maternity clothing. Some women don’t want anything tight or binding on their belly so it just makes sense to go ahead and wear the looser clothes.
*Healthy diet.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to start eating a healthy diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Go light on the sugary junk foods. You will want to avoid fish and soft cheeses as these may carry bacteria (cheeses) and mercury (fish). Eating a well-balanced diet is the smartest thing to do at this point. Don’t skip meals, you are making a baby, but you’re not quite eating for two yet.
*Water.
Water is vital whether you are pregnant or not. However, later in pregnancy, it will be so much more so. If you aren’t in the habit of drinking plenty of water a day, now is a great time to start. As the baby grows, the amniotic fluid changes out several times a day so you will need the water. If you dehydrate, it can cause preterm labor. By getting in the habit of drinking enough water now, you’ll be able to handle the need for it later.
*The announcement!
Inevitably, the first trimester will be the time for the grand “I’m pregnant!” announcement. If you’re creative, find a fun way to announce this to family and friends. Some women wait until the second trimester to announce the pregnancy.
*Read up.
Now is the time to start reading books and magazines that focus on pregnancy. These types of publications can be a great resource to help you know what to expect every step of the way. Consider the birth experience you wish to have and read up on childbirth classes. Your physician or hospital may offer birthing classes as well. Some individuals may provide private childbirth classes for which you will have to pay a fee. Be sure to discuss this with your physician. Some doctors have their own ideas about the birth and may not allow different types of childbirth methods.
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