What to Do After You Find Out You’re Pregnant

There’s so much anticipation when you and your spouse decide to start trying to have a baby! You daydream about what life will look like. You daydream about what your baby will be like. But, you may not necessarily stop to think about what you’ll need to do when you find out that you’re expecting!

Once you get those two pink lines on your pregnancy test, you’re immediately flooded with all of the emotions! You’re excited! You’re scared! You’re over the moon! You run and tell your spouse the news that you’ve been praying for is finally here! But…what do you do next?

In the midst of all of the excitement, it is completely natural to feel overwhelmed. You may not know what you should do once you get that positive pregnancy test, so we’re here to help! We’ve got your list of the 10 things you should do after you find out you’re pregnant!

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1. Start a Prenatal

Some women start taking prenatal vitamins while they are trying to conceive, but if you haven’t started the process of taking a prenatal, it is crucial that you start as soon as possible! Now that you’re pregnant, you have another tiny human being who is draining you and your body of the vitamins and nutrients that you have available.

Prenatal vitamins have everything that you and your baby need to thrive during this season of life. One of the most important reasons that you should start taking a prenatal is because of the folic acid that it contains. Babies need folic acid for their brain and spinal cord development as this one supplement greatly reduces the risk of certain birth defects including spina bifida.

So, if you haven’t already jumped on the prenatal vitamin train, the sooner you do, the better! There are so many different products out there from gummies to all natural and organic. There will surely be one that is best for you!

2. Make a Confirmation Appointment

After reality starts to set back in, it’s also important to go ahead and all your OBGYN or health provider of choice. Many doctors will want you to come in around the 5-8 week mark to confirm your pregnancy.

Oftentimes, this appointment will not only include a pregnancy test, but it will also include an ultrasound! Seeing your little nugget for the first time is something special and memorable, so it’s always best to go ahead and make that appointment as soon as possible!

3. Research the Basics

Of course, your doctor will give you the rundown of all the ins and outs of being pregnant, what to expect, and what you should and should not be doing. However, most of the time, those appointments aren’t until your 5-8 weeks gestation. After you find out you’re pregnant, you should do some research on your own to understand the basics of what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

Here are a few things you could look into for yourself…

– First Trimester: What to Expect

Especially if this is your first pregnancy, it would be good for you to learn more about common symptoms and things to look out for during your first trimester. For many, it is their most difficult trimester, so it might be good to get a better idea of what is to come!

– Medicine Dos and Don’ts

Throughout your pregnancy, there are certain medicines that you can and cannot take! It’s important to know as soon as possible!

– Diet Dos and Don’ts

While most women’s diets won’t be too affected, there are certain foods and beverages, especially alcohol, that could be potentially dangerous and/or harmful to the baby! Get to know the dos and don’ts before you head into your pregnancy confirmation appointment!

– Fitness Dos and Don’ts

Likewise, whether you’re into fitness or not, you should also research guidelines for fitness during pregnancy. If you’re not into fitness, you may find that it is better for not only the baby but also for you and your labor experience to take up mild to moderate exercise. If you’re really into fitness, you may find that there are some restrictions you need to be on the lookout for!

4. Adjust your Diet

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to put it into action! There is a small list of foods that have been found to be potentially harmful to the baby that you need to make sure that you’re avoiding including…

Fish (with high Mercury levels)
Raw or Undercooked meat and fish
Raw or Undercooked Eggs
Unpasteurized Dairy
Processed Junk Food
Large Quantities of Caffeine

There’s more than just listed above, but this should give you an idea of the most important things to start avoiding right away!

Adjusting your diet doesn’t just mean eliminating certain foods! It’s also important to increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats! Your body is now in charge of fueling two people! Eating healthy plays a big role in not only your baby’s development, but also in your energy levels and strength throughout the pregnancy!

5. Continue Your Exercise Routine

As stated above, it’s important to research and understand your limitations and your doctor’s recommendations for exercise during pregnancy!

You may be surprised to learn that despite the old belief that women should just rest the whole pregnancy, it’s actually incredibly healthy for you and your baby to continue exercising moderately. Be sure to consult with your doctor, and be sure to skip the heavy lifting days at the gym!

6. Download Pregnancy App

It is such a blessing that we live in a day and age where our phones can keep us updated on the progress of our pregnancy! From the size of your baby at each week gestation to what they are developing and what you are experiencing, a pregnancy app is a fun way to learn more about your amazing body and what’s going on with your little miracle!

There are so many to choose from these days! Here are just a few of the most popular…

– Pregnancy App

This app is perfect for the mom-to-be who wants a week by week update on the progress of their baby and his/her development! It also has a kick counter for when you start to feel the baby and plenty of tips and tricks for handling the changes in your body!

– Hello Belly

This app doesn’t just keep you up to date on your baby’s progress throughout your pregnancy, it also keeps up to date on your mental health and wellbeing! It offers many yoga and meditation practices to help keep you strong and healthy for when baby arrives!

– Baby2Body

Baby2Body is a pregnancy wellness app that offers wellness tips, recipe ideas for healthy eating, and workout routines and suggestions! Being specifically geared for pregnancy and postpartum, this is an app that will continue to be helpful after baby arrives!

7. Spread the Exciting News!

Of course your pregnancy announcement has to make the list of what to do after you find out you’re expecting! Some women prefer to tell people as soon as they get a positive test while others like to wait until their confirmation appointment or after the first trimester. No matter where you fall in the timing of your announcement, there’s going to be a time when you share your amazing news!

There are literally thousands of ways to announce your pregnancy to friends and family! If you’re at the point where you’re ready to share your news, be sure to check out all of our different announcement posts for inspiration!

8. Start Preparing Mentally

Of course, it’s important to start preparing for your baby with your diet and exercise, but it’s equally important to start preparing mentally after you find out you’re pregnant.

Mentally preparing for birth and being a parent can look very different depending on your personality and priorities. For some women, they may want to start listening to parenting podcasts. For others, they may like reading some parenting books to prepare. Find whatever works best for you to start thinking about becoming a mother!

If you’re interested in a devotional to start preparing, be sure to check out our 40 Week Pregnancy Devotional! It’s another great way to take time and focus on praying and mentally preparing for all of the joyous moments ahead!

9. Rest and Relax

Along with continuing a healthy exercise routine, it truly is important to take the time to rest and relax throughout your pregnancy. This is especially important to rest and relax right after you find out because the first trimester can take a lot out of you!

Mentally, you’ve got all of these thoughts racing through your mind, you may be plagued with worries and stress about keeping your baby healthy, and not to mention, the baby is also going through one of the most important developmental times which will completely deplete you of your energy!

Don’t fret if you need a nap or two during the day. Listen to your body because it knows what you need!

10. Focus on the Positive

The last tip for what to do after you find out you’re pregnant is a big one! It seems like as soon as you get the good news that you’re expecting, we are flooded with what ifs. What if there is something wrong? What if the baby isn’t getting what she needs? Is this feeling normal? Is this pregnancy normal?

You may, at one point or another, find yourself going down the rabbit hole of “What ifs”. It’s so important to spend as much of your pregnancy as possible focusing on the positive. Just remember, God is in control so trust in Him.

In Conclusion…

As soon as you find out that you’re pregnant, it may seem like the world starts spinning and you have a never ending list of things to do. Stop, and relax! Remember that, at the end of the day, this precious time will be over before you know it!

Enjoy every step of the way because every step brings you closer and closer to holding that beautiful little miracle!