Early Pregnancy Checklist-What Do I Do Now?

The stick turned blue. (And by the way, home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate when done according to instructions.)

Congratulations! Okay. Take a deep breath. Now what?

Hey, hey, wait--don't run out and buy a crib yet! You actually have a few months yet to decide on what you like. Here are some of the first things you should do.

• Get to a doctor. Choose your OB-GYN or midwife and see them right away. save
• Don't have insurance? You can still get help. Start with your state's program for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). They can help refer you health care programs as well as help with other needs.

• Start taking a prenatal vitamin, with folic acid.

• Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day).

• Begin to get rid of or stay away from unhealthy things in your life.

• Cigarette smoking, x-rays, hair perms or dyes, chemicals, etc.

• If you do, stop drinking.

• If you do, stop smoking.

• Cut back on caffeine.

• Check with your doctor about any drugs or medication you are on. And, of course, stop any hormone based birth control method you may be using.

• Get plenty of sleep, and try to nap if you feel tired during the day.

• Exercise, but moderately. If you were already exercising, great. Check with your doctor as to how much you should cut back. BUT DO NOT START a new exercise regimen when you're pregnant until you talk to your doctor.
• Pregnancy is absolutely a time to gain weight! However, with care, you should use exercise to maintain a good weight at each part of your pregnancy.

• If your family has a history of genetic disorders, consider prenatal testing.

• Start budgeting for your new life with baby.

• Buy or borrow a book or two about pregnancy. Find out what you should expect from the first trimester.
• Pick or find one or two people to be your sympathetic ear. It's better if you find someone who has been here and done this! No offense, but you'll find the best advice (given and not given) is from someone who has experienced pregnancy and knows all the things that are real but beyond definition.