You are pregnant! Now What?
This was the title of my first chapter of my book turned blog. It was in this chapter I initially thought to start this blog. I was writing and writing and writing. I got board with my own story and decided to turn it into a blog. I still plan to write a book in the future however writing smaller pieces is what seems to keep my attention for the moment. Although this blog has not been the center of my attention for long enough and I plan to change that now.
So you got your first positive pregnancy test, or maybe your 30th because you just had to confirm it was true. You could have been actively trying or passively participating either way it’s positive. How did you feel? Were you happy, nervous, scared, anxious, upset, or all of the above. Did your mind immediately go to figuring out the gender, think of names or planning out the nursey.
Well I will tell you about my first positive pregnancy test. I waited all night to take the test. Your HCG levels are highest with that first urination of the day. I wake up several times a night so I probably could have taken the test anytime during one of those trips. I had never done this before, you know take a pregnancy test. I have administered quite a few for patients but this was my first.
I will discuss a few of my initial thoughts because I think I had a million. I need to find a midwife. I wonder what baby would look like. Is baby a boy or girl. Do I want to find out. When am I due. When should I have the baby shower. I am going to wait until 20 weeks to reveal it to the world, i.e. my social media followers. I just started this new job when do I tell my boss. Oh yeah, guess I should let my husband in on the news.
Yes he was last on my mental to do list that I concocted in the 3 minutes I was sitting in the bathroom relishing in the moment. I decided to crawl back in bed and gently wake him up. “Good morning, daddy!” is what I decided to say. Yes that is what I said to him that morning. In those initial moments some initial tasks are truly important to do when you first find out you are pregnant. I will share the top 5!
Due date
Yes you will want to calculate your due date. You can do it the old archaic way by counting 40 weeks from your last menstrual cycle. You could also do it by putting the information in a website that can calculate it for you. Both will give you an idea of estimated due date. Remember these are estimations and your baby will ultimately determine when they will make their debut. When you schedule your first appointment with your OBGYN (obstetrician) you should have a confirmation ultrasound that will provide you with your estimated due date as well. It’s normal for your body to spontaneously deliver between 37-40 weeks. Some babies need to be delivered sooner due to complications with the pregnancy. Even if this happens know that you did nothing wrong and giving your baby the most opportunity to grow healthy inside or outside is the goal.
Doctor Who
You may want to start the search prior to conception but if you are a procrastinator like me, the baby might already be in there when you start your search. You have many types of providers to chose from. If’s your pregnancy journey and should be your choice to who you want to be apart of it. You can pick a typical OBGYN who delivers at a hospital. Midwives are another option. They can deliver in hospitals, birth centers or your home. Yes! You can deliver your baby at home if medically appropriate. Another option is a birth doula. There are many kinds of doulas with a variety of expertise and experiences. Some doulas can deliver babies at home, while others can assist with your hospital delivery. Discuss your desires with your partner and find the best team for you. Don’t forget to schedule that first appointment.
Vitamins Please
If you haven’t been taking a prenatal vitamin prior to conception, it’s definitely time to start now. You can find a variety of prenatal vitamins over the counter. Your provider will tell you if you need to add additional supplements. If pills are hard for you to swallow, gummy options are available. Don’t forget about the foods that you are eating. You can get a variety of vitamins and nutrients from fruits and vegetables that you eat to help the baby develop.
Don’t eat that
Yes, being pregnant also comes with a long list of what nots. What not to do, eat, drink etc. Talk to your provider about what you can and can’t consume. The general consensus of foods to avoid include raw meet, fish with mercury, aged cheese, unpasteurized milk. Some people may tell you that they ate xyz and their baby was fine. You ultimately will make the best decision for you and your baby. Also know that a lot of unsolicited advice can be offered during this time. If you are someone that gets overwhelmed or anxious you can tell people to shove it. Just kidding. It can be hard to tell people that you do not want their opinion but if you let them know upfront it will be easier. You can say something like “Thank you for sharing your experience however at this time I am working with my partner and team. If I have any questions or concerns your advice would be greatly appreciated at that time.”
Sharing the News
Well hopefully you have already shared the news with your partner. I think they would like to know sooner rather than later, insert laugh here. When should you share your news with the world? That decision is truly personal. Some prefer to wait until after the first trimester. Some would rather wait until the age of viability around 24 weeks. The age of viability is when the baby has the greatest chance of survival outside the womb. Some people like to pop up with a new baby. Again it’s a personal decision and whenever you are ready share your news with those you love.
Your to do list may have just expanded 10 fold since you found out you were pregnant. All those tiny tasks are important in the long run. One most important task is to find your team and support system. Your team can include friends, families, pets, and of course the person delivering your new baby. You can also find comfort in pregnancy apps that help track your babies progress. If I could recommend one app it is The Journey Pregnancy App “The Journey Pregnancy makes up a complete history of your pregnancy, which can be shared confidentially and safely with your care provider. This enables your provider to react faster and be more informed.” The app tracks your symptoms and vital signs. This information can be shared with your birthing team. You can also speak with a pregnancy wellness coach in between doctors visits to help ease your concerns and help you during this journey.
Congratulations on your new baby or babies!
Cite That!
https://americanpregnancy.org/
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/health-and-safety/12-steps-to-a-healthy-pregnancy_9174
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/planning-a-pregnancy
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pregnancy-health/healthy-pregnancy-tips/
