What To Do in the First Days of a Pregnancy
Finding out you are pregnant can be a thrilling time, but it can also be very nerve-wracking for some. You will need to develop a plan for how to care for yourself and your baby as quickly as possible. Read the information below to give you an overview of how to do so.
1. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
Call an obstetrician’s office to schedule an appointment to confirm your pregnancy and discuss the next steps you should take. You will likely get or schedule a blood test to confirm the pregnancy and may set up your first ultrasound.
2. Plan for the Care of Your Baby
While some expecting mothers are thrilled at the prospect of adding another member to their families, others may be scared and overwhelmed. For those mothers who are unsure how they can adequately provide for their baby, there are birthmother services. For the mothers who plan to keep their babies, decide who will provide the care for your child. Will you stay home with the little one or will you hire a nanny or daycare services?
3. Take Care of Yourself
As you progress through your pregnancy your body will change and you will need to make some changes as well. Your diet and exercise routine will likely need to be altered to provide nutrients for you and your baby. Certain foods and alcohol will need to be eliminated from your diet and your caffeine intake will need to be limited. Although you can continue to exercise during pregnancy, you may need to reduce the intensity of your workouts as your lung capacity decreases to make room in your body for your growing child.
Realizing you are pregnant is the first step in the lifelong process of becoming a mother. Start off right by scheduling a doctor’s appointment, develop a plan to care for your baby and take care of yourself.