First Trimester Checklist Of Important Things To Do
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Congratulations mama, you’re pregnant! You’re probably wondering what kind of things should you be doing in the first trimester?! Don’t worry so did I! This is why I decided this first-trimester checklist was much needed for all of you expecting mothers!
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If you don’t have time to read everything on this post, no worries.
Instead, download a copy of your FREE Printable First Trimester Checklist (part of the preparing for baby (free guide) for expecting parents).
What should you do in your first trimester?
Confirm your pregnancy at your doctor’s office
Making your first prenatal appointment can be kind of nerve wrecking.
Regardless if you took 20 pregnancy tests or just 1, getting that “official” confirmation just leaves us all with butterflies in our stomachs as we wait for the appointment to roll around, right?!
However, it’s still, what I consider, the most important thing to do after you find out you’re pregnant.
Not only will they confirm your pregnancy, but MOST providers (from my experience) will also do your initial ultrasound during your first prenatal visit so you get to see your little blub on the ultrasound machine while also hearing their teeny tiny heartbeat!
How cool is that?!
Eat a healthy pregnancy diet
I know, I know, being pregnant means we turn into ravenous beasts who are now eating for two….
BUT that doesn’t mean we should throw our healthy eating habits out the window!
In fact, now is even more important than ever to make sure you’re consuming a well rounded nutritious diet for you and for your growing baby!
If your someone who struggles with eating healthy consistently or simply resisting those indulgent cravings (like me), I found using this healthy pregnancy cookbook helped tremendously!
It’s loaded with over 30 recipes (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) along with extra recipes to help with things like morning sickness, food safety tips, specialty diets, and more!
But my FAVORITE part about this pregnancy cookbook is that the majority if not all the recipes are SO SIMPLE!
And if you’re wondering how the healthy pregnancy cookbook has so much info, it’s because it was created by a labor & delivery nurse who’s loaded with experience & knowledge!
Take your prenatal vitamins during pregnancy
In addition to eating a healthy diet, you’ll also want to look into taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin!
Personally, I would ask your doctor if they have any specific brands that they recommend, however the tips my OB always told me was that:
- Look for a prenatal with Folate (preferably Methylfolate) – this is important because folate plays an important role in developing the neural tube, in turn preventing major birth defects of the brain & spine along with other health benefits.
- Pay attention to Choline. This particular ingredient is helpful in pregnancies to help maintain a healthy metabolism, efficient uptake of Omega-3 DHA, healthy blood pressure, and a bit more. Plus, for baby it helps with brain development, transporting Omega-3 DHA from mama to baby, and of course, a lot’s more.
- Omega-3 (DHA) – typically recommended for supporting baby’s brain development, fetal development, hormonal and mood balance in mama, postpartum recovery, healthy breastmilk, a healthy inflammatory response, and more.
- Keep in mind, not all prenatal vitamins contain DHA, so you might need a separate vitamin.
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Decide when to announce your pregnancy
Knowing when to announce your pregnancy can be tricky for some.
Some mamas have dealt with things like a miscarriage, infertility issues, so announcing is a bit more daunting for them, reasonably so. If you’re a mama dealing with these issues, please know it’s ok if you want to wait.
It’s ok if you want to wait until you’re half way through your pregnancy — at the end of the day it’s your pregnancy and it’s your decision.
For others, some choose to announce as early as they find out while some wait until the 2nd trimester.
Once you reach your second trimester, the risk for a miscarriage usually is considered much lower risk, but this is a topic I’d encourage you to discuss with your doctor or midwife.
Once you decide you’d like to announce your pregnancy, then you start planning the fun part the HOW.
Will you get cute photos taken with your dog holding a sign? Should you make a video for your family members? There are literally so many cute ways to announce your pregnancy (if you’re into that)!
Keep yourself hydrated
Girl, your baby is going to be sucking up all the nutrients and fluid you consume, in return making your work even harder, feel more hungry and thirsty.
So be sure you’re making your hydration just as much of a priority as your nutrition!
One thing that helped me, is I use a Thermoflask! They come in various sizes, but I use the 40oz bottle. It makes staying hydrated so much easier (and refreshing) because it keeps your beverage super cold or hot all while holding a large amount!
Not to mention, the Thermoflask brand is pretty inexpensive compared to some other brands. I’ve had mine for 2 years now and it’s still in perfect condition!
Try to stay active if you’re not feeling too nauseous or exhausted
I know, the first trimester can be rough! And if you’re one of the unlucky mamas literally just trying to survive your first trimester, you can disregard this tip hands down.
If you’re feeling pretty good on the other hand, don’t forget it’s important to stay active!
You don’t need to start or partake in some crazy workout plan, but if you’re a runner, keep running! If you enjoy walking around your neighborhood, keep walking! If you love going to the gym, keep at it!
Nows not the time to simply stop your routine just because you’re pregnant! Unless of course, your doctor tells you too, lol.
The other thing to keep in mind is that as you get further in your pregnancy, you likely will need to make some modifications as your baby bump grows, so just something to be mindful of.
I’ve always found that physical activity helped me to feel refreshed throughout both my pregnancies until I hit the 3rd trimester. Once the aches & pains started, I had to take a strong modified approach to make sure I was keeping baby safe and not triggering any pregnancy pains (round ligament pains, pelvic pains and SI Joint pain).
And after baby arrives, you can look into a workout plan like the Mutu System or Jena Bradley’s Ab Rehab! They’re both amazing programs to help you actually rehabilitate your body after all the work it’s been doing to create that baby!
Prepare your budget for baby
What better time than now to start getting those finances in line before baby arrives, right?!
If you’re on a somewhat tight budget, you may want to consider:
- Ways to cut cost on the non-essential day to day expenses (cable, fast food, traveling, shopping, hobbies, etc…)
- How to expedite paying off any outstanding debt(s) before baby is here
- Picking up a side hustle to bring in extra money (if needed)
- Paying your bills and groceries with a credit card that can earn you cashback on your essential purchases (with the intent to treat it like cash – if you don’t have the upfront cash, don’t buy the item)
- Using things like Amazon Prime for free shipping if you have to order online
- Taking advantage of FREE BABY ITEMS while creating your baby registry
If you feel like you need more tips in the financial department, you can also check out this post all about budgeting for baby with tips from a legitimate financial planner!
Find out what your insurance will cover (will they cover your hospital stay?)
This one is important. Make sure you call your insurance or look at your plan’s breakdown of costs to see what they will cover!
I’ve heard horror stories where moms have had to pay thousands of dollars just for their delivery + hospital stay WITH INSURANCE! Yikes!
This will definitely be something you want to look into and square away fast to prevent any kind of surprise financial expenses.
Don’t be afraid to kick your feet up and rest!
After you get through the list above, RELAX!
Yup, it’s ok to simply relax sometimes, especially in the first trimester. That exhaustion will hit you out of nowhere and although you’re probably prone to just hustle through your day, don’t forget your body is now making a baby!
So the more rest and relaxation you can give it, the better you’ll feel!
Take your first bump photo
There’s nothing more cool thank to look back at your #bumpies and compare them week by week up until your baby’s birth.
I remember looking back and just being so amazed at the changes my body went through up until my son was born (which by the way will continue to change throughout your postpartum journey as well)!
And having it all photographed is something I’ll cherish forever!
Preparing for pregnancy and birth can be an overwhelming time in any woman’s life. However, taking it each trimester at a time and knowing exactly what to do during every trimester can be tremendously helpful.
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