What Now?! Five Pregnancy Next Steps to Start Your Journey

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional! Nothing within this blog should be construed as medical advice; if you have a medical concern, you should consult with a health care provider.

First off, congratulations! If you've just discovered you're pregnant and found yourself here - this is an incredible moment in your life, and I'm delighted for you. Sure, the emotions might range from excitement to nervousness, but remember, you're not alone: anything you're feeling, good or bad, you aren't the first to be exactly where you are.

Or perhaps you're planning ahead! Or maybe you're seeking information to support someone you care for. Regardless of the reason, let's talk pregnancy next steps to kickstart this adventure:

1. Get on Prenatal Vitamins, STAT!

If you haven't already, start by grabbing those prenatal vitamins. They're your secret weapon in ensuring your baby gets everything needed for development. And something I didn't know before my first: it was recommended that I continue to take them past the baby's birthday, since I was breastfeeding.

Pst! That's even if you're not pregnant yet. My doctor would have wanted me to be taking prenatals for three months before my husband and I started trying (whoops!).

2. Get that first OBGYN appointment scheduled

Finding a healthcare provider is crucial. You're going to be seeing a lot of them over the duration of your pregnancy!

I had been going to the same gynecologist for five years, so it was an easy choice for me. If you don't already have a doctor you feel comfortable with, ask your mom friends if they had a good experience. Having a recommendation from someone I trust always makes me feel more confident when making a decision.

In case you didn't know already: it's common for the first prenatal appointment to be scheduled at week 7 or 8. So, if you found out early: prepare for the days to move at a glacial pace as you eagerly await that first sonogram (speaking from personal experience).

3. Clear Out Your Pantry and Fridge

Out with the old and in with the nutritious! Bid farewell to the alcohol, caffeine, deli meats and any other no-nos you decide to forego during pregnancy. You will likely get a lot of input from the people around you on how serious to take this -- personally, I opted to stay on the stricter side of things as it helped to keep my anxiety at bay.

To make things a little easier to stick with, I found it helpful to clear out the things I wouldn't be able to enjoy. While you're at it, think about stocking up on healthy snacks.

Bonus: grab some ginger candies to help with nausea! I quite enjoyed these, even as I moved past the queasiness of first trimester.

4. Establish Your Support System

I'll be totally honest with you: pregnancy is a wild ride, even if everything is perfect from week 1 to week 40. Surround yourself with people who will shower you with love, understanding, and encouragement. The first trimester is especially scary with so many unknowns: gender, chromosomal abnormalities, miscarriage statistics... I could go on!

I chose to keep my circle small. My thinking was, "if I get hard news, who would I want to call?" A few names came to mind immediately - and they became my support system.

5. Start Brainstorming the Big Announcement

Allow the excitement to bubble over! There are a million and one things all vying for your attention at the start of pregnancy, but this one's my favorite. Think about how you want to share the wonderful news with family and friends: elaborate reveal or heartfelt conversation? Have them guess or spell it out? Something funny or something sentimental?

This step is all about spreading the joy and getting ready for the next chapter of your life.

BTW: I've shared how I announced my first pregnancy here, if you want some help brainstorming!

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Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions! In my case, it was a balancing act between nervous apprehension and eager anticipation. These five steps helped me to get started on the right foot - I hope they do the same for you!

And remember, you're not alone. Reach out to other moms, read books and blogs, and don't be afraid to ask for advice. It's a wild ride, but it's a magical one. Cheers!💕