First Time Pregnancy Questions & Answers for New Moms

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Congratulations, you’re expecting! And trust me, along with the excitement comes all those first time pregnancy questions new moms always have. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

I remember all the thoughts, worries, and questions I had when I first saw that positive pregnancy test. It felt surreal. I was finally pregnant and I had no idea what to expect about pregnancy!

I started googling the most random things (mind you I was a first-time mom) such as:

• What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?

• Can I still workout while pregnant?

• Can I drink coffee while pregnant?

• When will my pregnant belly start showing?

• When should I announce my pregnancy

And girl, that list went on and on!

I know I’m not the only one, in fact, one study even shares that moms conduct 330 Google searched in babies’ first year ALONE! Imagine what that number would skyrocket up to including pregnancy!

But don’t worry, the list below of common pregnancy questions and answers will help you breathe a sigh of relief, relax, and enjoy your pregnancy!

This post may contain affiliate links from which I receive a commission if you click or make a purchase. In addition, the information on this site is NOT intended to be medical advice. Please seek professional medical care if needed. See my full policy for more information.

Common pregnancy questions first-time pregnant moms have (pregnancy questions and answers)

1) How early can you tell if you are pregnant?

Well, this one kind of depends.

Typically, the most obvious sign happens around the 4th-5th week of pregnancy — a missed period!

If you track your ovulation or periods, you may be able to notice this symptom right away, if not, you may have to pay attention to other more subtle symptoms, such as:

• nausea/morning sickness

• implantation bleeding (light spotting)

• sensitive/heightened smell

• lack of energy/fatigue

• mood swing(s)

• bloating

However, if you’re still unsure whether you could be pregnant or not, use my favorite & reliable Labcorp OnDemand Pregnancy Test (because it’s the only direct-to-consumer — aka to YOU — that provides a quantitative hCG level! All you do is purchase your test, go to one of 2,000 Labcorp locations to submit your sample, and get results online that you can share with your healthcare provider. 

2) My pregnancy test is positive, now what?

Congratulations, you’re having a baby!

These are both exciting and nerve-wracking moments where a million thoughts, questions, and sometimes worries will run through your mind. So, take a deep breath.

Then, pick up the phone and call your doctor and schedule your very first prenatal appointment.

Keep in mind, each clinic and provider does things differently. For me, my very first prenatal appointment consisted of taking another pregnancy test and confirming via ultrasound.

I swear, hearing that heartbeat for the first time was such a life-changing experience, one I’ll never ever forget and I’m sure you won’t either.

3) What foods to avoid while pregnant?

Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t actually THAT MUCH food you ‘can’t’ eat. Most of it has to do with foods that are raw or could have higher probabilities of containing bacteria exposure.

Some of the more common ones include:

• Raw Meats (including beef, chicken, seafood)

• Deli Meat – they post a high risk of carrying listeria which can cause a miscarriage. Though it’s less common, better to precautious! If you MUST eat it, be sure to heat it in the oven or microwave first!

• Raw Eggs

• Soft Cheeses (feta, gorgonzola, Queso Blanco, etc…)

• Unpasteurized Milk

• Alcohol – this is a 100% NO GO here ladies!

4) When should I announce my pregnancy?

There is no right or wrong time to announce your pregnancy!

Most women tend to wait until they’re in the 2nd Trimester as that’s when the chances of having a miscarriage lessen.

Again, there’s no right or wrong answer here. And if you felt like you didn’t want anyone to know for months, then don’t tell anyone! It’s 100% you and your partner’s decision to make, nobody else’s!

5) Can I still workout now that I’m pregnant?

Well hey yes you sure can! Working out through pregnancy (as long as you’re medically cleared to do so) can have just as many benefits as before.

It can help manage any excess weight gain and continue to aid in overall health!

6) Will I get morning sickness & when does morning sickness start?

Most women begin to notice signs of morning sickness around the 5-6th week of pregnancy. However, not all pregnancies are alike so you might find you experience symptoms even later!

In rare instances, it could get as bad as hyperemesis gravidarum. This is when the symptoms are beyond bearable with severe vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. If this is happening to you, please see your doctor immediately for care!

BUT that is a worst-case scenario situation. Let’s hope you’re one of the lucky ones that don’t have to deal with it at all!

And as I’m updating this post here in Jan 2020 – I can safely share I was one of the UNLUCKY moms who developed hyperemesis gravidarum during my second pregnancy! Let me tell you, SO not fun at all!

I tried various remedies such as ginger teas (the pink stork tea is the ONLY one that worked sometimes), mint tea, ginger lozenges, and nothing worked. I ended up losing weight during the first trimester and was able to rely on an ondansetron prescription thanks to my doctor which finally helped bring me relief.

Then, come into the 2nd trimester the symptoms FINALLY seemed to die down.

So I will reiterate if you suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum, tell your doctor ASAP!

7) What is a birth plan?

Your birth plan is just as it sounds, it’s a plan of all your wishes and wants to happen during birth! You can make your own personalized plan through a guided template and planner like the Oh Baby Pregnancy Planner!

Usually, your doctor will ask you questions like whether or not you want an epidural, do you want a hospital birth, who will be in the room, etc… those will all be a part of your birth plan!

If you’re not ready to get the full planner right now, you can also download a FREE BIRTH PLAN template instead!

When should I make a birth plan?

The thing with a birth plan, in my opinion, is many people get VERY caught up in making this very specific plan and then when things don’t go according to plan, they have a ‘bad birthing’ experience.

Pregnancy and birth are NOT something you can medically plan 100% of the way. Things happen whether your baby decides to show up early vs late, maybe you end up on bed rest due to hypertension, there are just SO many variations within creating a life that can’t be predicted.

However, none of the above means you have to have a bad birthing experience! One way or another you’re bringing a beautiful baby into this world. That is what matters the most!

8) I’m Pregnant, when will I start to show?

This has to be one of the most commonly asked questions about pregnancy.

There’s definitely NOT a one size fits all answer to this as most women show differently due to their height, body fat %, and whether or not they’ve been pregnant before.

The general time frame is anytime after 16 weeks if you’re a first-time mama! Regardless, I’m sure you’re going to rock that sweet bump and don’t forget to enjoy it while you can!

9) When should I look for maternity clothes & what size should I wear?

I didn’t actually start looking for maternity clothing until my baby bump outlived my jeans – meaning I wasn’t able to just slide them under anymore because the belly was too much in the way.

For me, that happened at about week 21-22, somewhere around there. I did a lot of my shopping online through Amazon, Kindred Bravely, and Motherhood Maternity!

However, I wanted to mention a new brand that I discovered around 3 years ago. It’s called Knix.

The reason I wish I knew about Knix when I was pregnant, is because they make the ABSOLUTE BEST Leakproof Underwear!

Yes, all those accidental peeing on yourself when you’re just trying to enjoy a night out with your friends or partner can now be confidently discreet and handled thanks to these innovative undies.

Not to mention, they will also come in handy when you’re postpartum.

Whether you’re a boyshort undie girl or love a good high-rise, Knix has them all, seriously, go look for yourself.

10) What are early red flags I should be aware of in the 1st Trimester?

With pregnancy, it seems like everything can be a red flag sometimes. In terms of miscarriages or serious complications like that, make sure you call your doctor immediately if you’re having signs like:

• severe back pain.

• severe cramping/contraction pain.

• bright red bleeding with or without cramps.

• onset of heavy bleeding of any color.

If you have any of those signs above or any other signs that just don’t feel normal to you, call your doctor or head to the ER for an evaluation immediately!

11) How much weight will I gain during my pregnancy?

The amount of weight you gain during your pregnancy will largely depend on your prepregnancy weight/health. The last question of our commonly asked questions about pregnancy.

If you’re on the leaner side, the average weight gain is about 28-40lbs, but if you’re a little heavier it averages 25-35lbs. If you’re overweight prior to pregnancy, then the average weight gain recommended is 15-25lbs.

Again, this is a conversation you’ll want to write down in your pregnancy planner to take to your next OB-Gyn visit so you can make sure you don’t forget to ask these questions!

12) Do I need to take a prenatal vitamin?

Taking prenatal vitamins is a great way to make sure your baby is getting quality micronutrients as they grow inside your belly.

“Approximately 97% of women take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy in the United States, yet 95%+ of us mamas are deficient in key nutrients.” states the creators of one of the latest & scienced-back prenatal on the market, Needed.

The thing with prenatal vitamins, however, is there are SO many to choose from.

One example would be Folate. You’ve heard that your prenatal should contain folate, but did you know there are actually different varients in how it’s supplied in your vitamin?

Unfortunately, many prenatal vitamins contain the Folic Acid ingredient which is much less effective in comparison to the Methylfolate form. This is because Methylfolate is readily available for your body to digest.

If you love learning about the science behind stuff like this, you can check out this study that talks even more about the effects of unmetabolized folic acid in the body and how it can actually pose some issues.

Basically what I’m saying is YES you should take a prenatal vitamin, but BE PICKY about which one you take.

I’ve personally taken Needed Prenatals and have 0 complaints. From having a very healthy pregnancy to ensuring this prenatal was safe to take from by my healthcare provider, it’s no question these are my favorite prenatal vitamins for expecting moms.

I’ve also personally taken their Omega’s, Multi, and Collagen Peptides in my fourth trimester. They were also kind enough to give me a code: MOMAFTERBABY to save you 20% off your first order too!

13) Do I need to stop drinking coffee now that I’m pregnant?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Due to conflicting conclusions from numerous studies, the March of Dimes states that until more conclusive studies are done, pregnant women should limit caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day.”

I personally cut out ALL caffeine during my first pregnancy, but during my 2nd it was impossible to cut it out with a wild toddler running around.

14) Should I follow a Healthy Pregnancy Meal Plan?

Making sure you’re consuming a nutritional diet throughout your pregnancy is definitely important.

This means getting an adequate amount of proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, and all your micronutrients as well!

If you need a guided approach to not only have easy-to-prepare recipes, but a step-by-step prenatal guide to guide you through nutritional & fitness wellbeing during pregnancy, the Perfect Pregnancy Plan is for you!

Please make sure you have your doctor’s approval before starting any nutritional or fitness plan.

15) Can I take over-the-counter medications when I’m pregnant?

This is a great first time pregnancy question! Though I am NOT a doctor, I bet you can anticipate what my answer will be: ask your doctor.

Although many other moms may shrug off medications and tell you it’s fine to take, it’s important to never underestimate the effects medication can possibly have on your pregnant body, so to play it safe and be certain, always ask your doctor.

What types of first time pregnancy questions did you have when you found out you were expecting?

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