Start Antenatal or Prenatal Care

It’s a good idea to get right in there with the prenatal care, and to book in your first prenatal appointment as soon as you possibly can.  The first midwife appointment should take place before 10 weeks which allows time for the first scan (sometime called the dating scan) at around 12 weeks. At the scan they measure the baby via ultrasound which gives an estimated due date, before this scan the number of weeks pregnant is estimated based on time since the first day of your last period. This is easier to predict for those with regular periods. If you are unable to estimate a date the midwife might arrange an earlier scan. Some women choose to have a private scan at around 8 weeks as this is early enough to see a heartbeat and provide early information about whether there is more than one baby.

It might be that you already have some concerns, in which case these appointments are a perfect opportunity to share those and to make sure that you are actually going to get some answers early on. Make sure you make a list of questions you want to ask as it's easy to forget in the appointment.

Start Taking Vitamins

During pregnancy your health becomes extra important because it will influence the health of the baby. This is one time in your life where taking vitamins can be really important as your body's need for vitamins and minerals can be different and you might find that you aren't eating as well as normal due to nausea or morning sickness. 

There are lots of antenatal vitamins available to buy so have a look at which one you think is best for you. It is worth looking for a specific antenatal multi-vitamin as it will specifically be tailored to this life stage. A normal multi-vitamin might have too much of Vitamin A which it is recommended to avoid excess levels of in pregnancy. If you don't want to take a multivitamin, the most important vitamin to start taking when you discover you are pregnant is folic acid. If you have been trying for a baby you will probably be taking this already, but if not start as soon as possible as it is very important in the first trimester for the way it helps prevent neural tube defects among lots of other huge benefits as well. 

Cut Out Harmful Substances

Suddenly when you are pregnant it's not just your own body you have to look after, but that of your unborn child.  If you take any illegal substances you should stop those right away and if you use any form of nicotine (smoking or vaping) it's important to cut those out too as they can be harmful for fetal development and increase the risk of complications. While there is some mixed information on the harm of very low levels of alcohol, it is clear that a larger amount and regular drinking can be harmful so it is recommended that you don't consume alcohol once you know you are pregnant. 

Announce Your Baby

At some point, you are going to want to announce your pregnancy to the world, and this is an important part of the whole process that is going to be really good to think about and to get right. While many people wait until after a healthy heartbeat has been seen on an ultrasound scan before a wider announcement eg on social media, you will probably want to let close family and friends know earlier on. 

There are so many great ideas for pregnancy announcements so you can do it in whichever way best suits you. It can be fun to do it in a creative way rather than just say "I'm pregnant" in your family WhatsApp group.  Perhaps you want to get a personalized rompersuit with the baby’s chosen name on (or Baby Your Surname) on it and send a photo of that or put it in a box for your mum to unwrap. However you do it, announcing the baby is one of the most exciting parts of the whole process of getting ready.

Clean Up Your Diet

While it can be difficult to be motivated to eat healthy foods, especially in the first trimester if you have nausea, it is a good idea to try and eat as healthily as possible. Processed foods are unlikely to give you and your body what you need most, and they might also make your body feel sluggish. 

You will also need to check which foods to avoid. These include food like liver which is high in Vitamin A, and foods like unpasteurised cheese which have an increased risk of containing bacteria which can cause problems for your baby. You should also avoid certain fish and shellfish. Advice does change over time eg it is now considered ok to eat runny hen eggs if they have a British Lion on or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme, so do check for the latest guidance. If you are ever worried contact your care provider such as doctor or midwife as they will be able to advise and reassure you.