First Trimester

What Do I Need to Do in the First Trimester

The stick turned blue. Congratulations! 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 things you should do first.

Sharing

* Decide how your are going to tell the Dad he’s going to be a Dad
* Decide how and when you are going to tell your boss.
* Decide how and when you are going to tell everybody else.

Medical

* Make an appointment with your doctor. If you don’t already have an OB/GYN you like, ask your family practitioner or your friends and relatives for a recommendation.
* 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.
* If your family has a history of genetic disorders, consider prenatal testing.

Diet

* Start taking a prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins are very critical at this stage of development as they contain many important nutrients, including folic acid. Studies show that folic acid helps reduce the incidence of neural tube defects.
* Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day).

Health

* 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.

Dangers

* Begin to get rid of or stay away from unhealthy things in your life.
*
o Cigarette smoking, x-rays, hair perms or dyes, chemicals, etc.
o If you do, stop drinking.
o If you do, stop smoking.
o Cut back on caffeine.

Finances

* Start budgeting for your new life with baby.

Information

* Buy or borrow a book or two about pregnancy. Find out what you should expect during each trimester as well as labor and delivery.

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