Learning you’re pregnant is exciting and terrifying at the same time. Whether the news comes as a happy surprise or a sudden shock, knowing what steps to take next is crucial. Your choices early in pregnancy will set the stage for a healthy mom and baby.
Keep reading to learn what to do when you find out you’re pregnant.
First, Contact Your Health Care Provider
When your head stops spinning and you can breathe again, call your health care provider and schedule a prenatal exam. This exam is your opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns, so make a list.
“The first thing you should do when you find out you’re pregnant is call your obstetrician and schedule an appointment,” says Dr. Chavone Momom-Nelson, DO, obstetrics and gynecology. “This often occurs somewhere between 6-9 weeks. Your first appointment is an opportunity for your provider to get to know you and for you to get to know them.”
Your prenatal exam may include:
- Bloodwork. Blood tests will check whether you’re immune to certain infections that can harm your unborn baby. Your doctor may also screen for diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, HIV, and hepatitis B infection.
- A medical history. Your doctor will ask when you had your last menstrual period to help determine your due date. If you’ve been pregnant before, they’ll want to know whether you had any pregnancy complications. They’ll also ask about your health history, medications, and family health history, especially genetic conditions.
- A pelvic exam. Your doctor will check your vagina and cervix and the size and position of your uterus and ovaries. They’ll also do a Pap smear to check your cervical cells.
- A physical exam. This includes measuring your weight, height, blood pressure, and pulse and listening to your heart and lungs. Your doctor will check your weight and measure your abdomen at each following visit to ensure your baby is growing well.
During your first prenatal exam, your doctor will also review what you should do and avoid to ensure your baby’s health. These include:
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Getting regular exercise.
- Taking a prenatal vitamin.
- Quitting smoking.
Manage Your Symptoms
Your body undergoes significant changes throughout pregnancy. Early changes in your hormones can trigger these and other symptoms:
- Breast tenderness and enlargement.
- Constipation.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Fatigue or exhaustion.
- Frequent urination.
- Morning sickness or nausea that sometimes lasts throughout the day.
- Spotting or cramping.
These symptoms are usually worse during the first trimester. They start to lessen around week 13 or 14, and gradually, you’ll feel like yourself again. To help manage them:
- Drink extra water. You need about 8 to 12 cups of water or other fluids daily during pregnancy. This supports the amniotic fluid and extra blood you make to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Drinking more water can also combat fatigue and constipation and replace fluids lost if you’re vomiting.
- Eat as well as you can during the day. Skipping meals is tempting if you’re tired or nauseous, but an empty stomach can make you feel worse. Eat small, frequent meals with protein and complex carbs every few hours and avoid greasy or strong-smelling food. Good choices include Greek yogurt with granola and fruit or a peanut butter banana sandwich on whole wheat bread.
- Get adequate exercise. Most women can exercise safely throughout pregnancy, but check with your doctor to ensure this is OK. Pregnant women should aim for 15 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Walking, swimming, riding a stationary bike, and yoga are great choices.
- Get as much rest as possible. You may feel exhausted during the first trimester, so rest is essential. Don’t feel guilty about going to bed early, sleeping in on weekends, or taking a nap.
- Take your prenatal vitamins. These supply extra nutrients that are hard to get from your diet alone. Preventing nutrient deficiencies, especially iron deficiencies, can help you feel better. If you have difficulty swallowing your prenatal vitamin, ask your doctor about a chewable or liquid form.
- Try these tips for morning sickness: Move slowly in the morning and eat some crackers or dry cereal before getting out of bed. If you feel nauseous during the day, sip ginger tea. Allow yourself plenty of extra time so you don’t feel rushed or stressed getting to work or during the day.
Nourish Your Body and Baby
You need extra nutrients during pregnancy to support your baby’s healthy growth and development while still caring for yourself. Although you’re eating for two, you only need about 300 extra calories each day after your first trimester. But it’s important to make every calorie you eat count.
Choose plenty of these healthy foods each day:
- Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. Vary them to get a wide range of nutrients.
- Dairy (or fortified non-dairy) foods like milk, cheese, and Greek yogurt.
- Healthy fats like nuts, seeds, nut butter, avocados, and olive oil.
- Whole grains like oatmeal, shredded wheat cereal, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and quinoa.
- Protein foods like eggs, beans, tofu, fish, poultry, and meat.
Whole and minimally processed foods are the most nutritious, so choose these as often as possible. Read the ingredients list on all packaged foods and choose those with just a few recognizable ingredients.
Health experts recommend eating 8 to 12 ounces of low-mercury fish each week to support your baby’s brain health. Good choices include:
- Canned light tuna.
- Cod.
- Flounder
- Salmon.
- Sardines.
- Shrimp.
- Tilapia.
Eliminate Harmful Substances
It’s important to avoid toxins that can harm you and your baby. These can include:
- Alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage, early delivery, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome.
- Cigarette smoke. Smoking during pregnancy can delay your baby’s growth and cause pregnancy complications.
- Environmental toxins. If you live in an older house, check for lead pipes. Drinking formula made with water from lead pipes can harm babies. Also, avoid exposure to pesticides, dry cleaning solvents, or other harmful chemicals.
- Food-borne toxins. Always refrigerate leftovers and use them within two or three days. Throw away any recalled food that can cause food poisoning. Avoid foods that have a higher risk of food-borne toxins, like cold cuts, soft cheeses, and raw milk.
- Marijuana and illicit drugs. These can harm your baby’s development and increase your risk of miscarriage, early delivery, or other pregnancy complications. Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications and supplements you take.
Becoming newly pregnant is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. You’ll get very busy over the coming months, and life will never be the same. Take some time to enjoy and share your news with your partner and loved ones before you jump into action.
And never hesitate to contact your health care team with questions or concerns. We’re always here for you.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .