Activities for your first trimester
Make sure you're really pregnantMost home pregnancy tests can accurately detect pregnancy in the week after your period is normally due – two weeks after you ovulate. If the test shows a negative or a
faintly positive result, wait another few days or a week and try again if you still haven't gotten your period.
Take your prenatal vitaminIf you haven't started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now's the time to start. It's particularly critical to get enough
folic acid while trying to conceive and during your first trimester. Folic acid greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
Investigate health insuranceMake sure you know what your health insurance plan covers as far as your prenatal care and delivery costs, as well as care for your new baby. Get answers to
these questions by calling your health insurance provider or talking to your company's benefits department. If you don't have health insurance, find out
where you can get help.
Choose a caregiverIf you already have a caregiver you love (who cares for pregnant women and delivers babies), you're set. If not, you've got some homework to do. Talk to friends and relatives, ask one of your other healthcare providers to recommend someone, check out the preferred providers under your health insurance plan, or search online.
Make a prenatal appointment
Many caregivers won't see you until you're at least 8 weeks pregnant, but you'll want to get on their calendar well before this since appointments can fill up fast.
To prepare, jot down the first day of your last period so your caregiver can determine
your due date and start making a list of any questions that arise. Talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Your caregiver will want to know whether any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities run in either of your families.
Consult your caregiver about medications you're takingMany drugs – even some over-the-counter ones – aren't safe during pregnancy. If you take any medications to treat a chronic condition, don't stop cold turkey but do call your caregiver right away to go through your medication list and find out what's safe and what's not. Mention everything, even vitamins, supplements, and herbs.
If you smoke, quitSmoking raises your risk of a host of problems, including miscarriage, placental problems, and preterm birth. It also slows fetal growth and increases the risk of stillbirth and infant death. Some research has even linked smoking to a greater risk of having a baby with a cleft lip or palate.
It's never too late to quit or cut back. Every cigarette you don't light gives your baby a better chance of being healthy.
Stop drinking alcohol
As little as one drink a day can raise the odds of low birth weight as well as your child's risk of problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity.
No one knows exactly how harmful even the smallest amount of alcohol may be to a developing baby, so skip the booze altogether.
Cut down on caffeine
Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. That's why the March of Dimes advises expectant moms to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day (that's about one 12-ounce cup of coffee).
Make sure your activities are pregnancy-safe
Some activities, jobs, and hobbies can be hazardous to you and your developing baby. There are
chores you should avoid now, and everyday things in your home – such as cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, and lead in drinking water from old pipes – to steer clear of.
If you're routinely exposed to chemicals, heavy metals (like lead or mercury), certain biologic agents, or radiation – as can happen in some research and medical jobs – you'll need to make changes as soon as possible.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about what your daily routine involves, so you can come up with ways to avoid or eliminate hazards in your home and workplace.
Start avoiding hazardous foodsDuring pregnancy it's especially important to avoid foods that could contain bacteria, parasites, or toxins – including undercooked meat, unpasteurized soft cheeses, anything that contains raw eggs, sushi made with raw fish, raw oysters and other shellfish, fish that's high in mercury, and raw sprouts. Use caution with deli-style salads (especially those containing protein, like egg, chicken, ham, and seafood), hot dogs and luncheon meats, and smoked meats and meat spreads.
Do your best to eat well
Stock your kitchen with healthy stuffMake your pantry, fridge, and freezer pregnancy-friendly by filling them with healthy eats like nuts, fresh and dried fruit, multigrain pasta, and yogurt.
Get relief from morning sicknessUnfortunately, "morning sickness" can last all day – and it strikes about three-quarters of pregnant women during the first trimester. If you have a milder case, some relatively simple measures may be enough to help. Try eating small, frequent meals and snacks and sticking to bland, room-temperature foods. Ginger and acupressure bands work for some women. If these things don't help, talk with your provider about taking vitamin B6 or an anti-nausea medication – these are considered safe and effective during pregnancy.
Go to bed early
In early pregnancy you may be more exhausted than you ever imagined you could be. Get more rest by turning in early – even if it makes you feel like a grandma.
Consider your options for prenatal testing
During your first trimester, your caregiver will offer you various
screening tests that can give you information about your baby's risk for Down syndrome as well as other chromosomal problems and birth defects. A diagnostic test called
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) may also be offered – this is generally done at 11 to 12 weeks. Or you may consider waiting until your second trimester for
amniocentesis.
Learn the signs of a pregnancy problem
So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what's not. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less problematic depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Think about when and how you'll announce your pregnancySome women spill the beans to friends, family, and co-workers right away. Others wait until they're in their second trimester, when their pregnancy is well established and the
risk of miscarriage has declined significantly. But if you're having morning sickness or pregnancy complications, or if your job is strenuous or potentially dangerous, you may have to tell folks (like your supervisor) sooner than you'd planned.
Follow your baby's developmentSign up for BabyCenter's free email newsletters and each week you'll learn
exactly what's going on with both your pregnancy and your baby.
Join your Birth ClubNobody understands what you're going through as well as other expecting moms in the same stage of pregnancy. Connect with women due the same month as you in your
BabyCenter Birth Club.
Start taking belly photos
Have someone take a picture of you every week, or take your own picture using your reflection in a mirror. It's a great way to see your progress, and you'll love having the keepsake.
Tips for a great shot: Consider wearing the same outfit, standing in the same spot, and striking the same pose (profiles work best) for each photo.
Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby
Set aside two five- to ten-minute periods a day to think about your baby. Just after waking up and before going to sleep works well for many expectant moms. During these times, sit quietly and gently rest your hands on your belly. Focus on your breathing and then start thinking about your baby (your hopes and dreams, your intentions as a parent, and so on). It's a great way to initiate the
bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.
Buy some new bras and undies
If your breasts are sore, get a good supportive cotton bra. Maternity bras can offer extra support, so try a couple on to see whether you like them. Your breasts might go up one or two more sizes, especially if this is your first pregnancy, and a knowledgeable sales associate can help you with sizing. And as your abdomen expands, maternity briefs, bikinis, and even thongs – if that's your thing – can make a bigger difference in your comfort than you may realize.
Have sex if you feel up to it
In your first trimester, you may feel too
tired,
moody, or
nauseatedto make love. But if you're feeling amorous (and you don't have any
complications that may make sex dangerous), go ahead – you won't hurt the baby. The amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus protect your baby, and the thick
mucus plug that seals the cervix helps guard against infection.
Talk to your partner about parenting
To get the conversation going, try this creative writing exercise: Each of you makes two lists, one titled "My mother always..." and one titled "My mother never..." Then do the same for "My father always…" and "My father never..." When you're done, talk about what you wrote down and decide together which behaviors you value and which you'd like to change as you raise your child.
Make a baby budgetThink about how you'll handle new-baby expenses – the cost of clothes, food, diapers, toys, and gear can add up fast. Brainstorm where you can trim your budget to make room for your baby's needs. Consider making some budget adjustments now, and start banking your savings for your baby. For more information, check our
Baby Costs Calculator.
Get ready to see or hear your baby
At a prenatal visit around 9 to 12 weeks, you may get to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler fetal monitor. Many women say it sounds like the thunder of galloping horses.
To-do's for every trimester
Drink waterDuring pregnancy you need six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day (48 to 64 fluid ounces) plus an additional 8 ounces for each hour of light activity.
Do some stretching
Stretching enhances your flexibility, prevents your muscles from tightening, and makes you feel looser and more relaxed.
Sneak in a pregnancy power napWhen fatigue makes it hard to get through the day, revive yourself with a 15-minute snooze. If you're at work, find a place you can escape (close your office door, use a conference room, even sit in your car) and set the alarm on your cell phone.
Pack healthy snacksWhen hunger attacks, it helps to have snacks that pack a nutritional punch ready in your desk, purse, or car. And if you're suffering from
morning sickness, munching on a simple snack like crackers throughout the day or before you get out of bed can ease nausea.
Try a relaxation techniqueDeep breathing, guided imagery, prenatal yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you stay on an even keel – and sleep better.
Take a quick walkA 15- to 20-minute walk can help boost your energy levels when you're exhausted.
Eat a pregnancy superfood
To give your pregnancy a nutritional boost, nosh on colorful fruits and veggies, eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, yogurt, walnuts, beans, and more.
Write down a pregnancy memoryWhether you keep a formal journal or just jot down a few notes when the spirit moves you, you'll love sharing these pregnancy stories with your child someday.
Track your weight gainYour caregiver will monitor your pregnancy weight to make sure you're in a healthy range and gaining at an appropriate pace. You can also use our pregnancy weight gain tool to stay on track.
Do something nice for yourselfIf you're feeling up to it, go to a movie, have dinner out, get a pedicure, or do something else you enjoy. You deserve it – pregnancy is hard work!
Check in with a friend
Pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster. Ease your mind by sharing your fears, hopes, and excitement with a friend or a fellow mom-to-be in
BabyCenter's Community.
