Top 7 Things To Do After Finding Out You’re Pregnant

Finding out I was pregnant with my first feels so fresh, I remember the day like it was yesterday. That feeling when you see two lines or it reads pregnant across that at home test you just peed on. Probably your first morning pee because I am sure you read that’s when your HCG is the most concentrated in your urine. So, you’re barely waking up and then..

Immediate heart drop.

“Is this real? Wait, really? Oh my gosh. I AM PREGNANT. What, OMG.”

My husband and I had been trying for a few months and each month that my period came I was so bummed. I would take a pregnancy test the day I was going to get my period, so I truly didn’t know how to react when I saw it read PREGNANT. I yelled to my husband, showed him and then hugged him bawling because I was in disbelief. It’s the most surreal feeling because you don’t really feel pregnant but you start grabbing your stomach and talking to your baby now that you know they’re in there even though your stomach is flat and you won’t be able to tell for months to come.

“Do I call the doctor? Do I call my mom? Do I call my mother-in-law? Do I call my best friend? What do I do, I am pregnant but like what do I do?”

Gosh, I remember those feelings all too well. I could feel the joy yet the panic in my heart knowing I was so ready and excited for this journey but also completely vulnerable because of how inadequate I felt with the unknown of what was to come for me. I only had a handful of friends who experienced this process before me and I almost felt scared or ashamed to ask what I should expect. Shouldn’t I know? Shouldn’t I have been taught this? Every fear I had known began to sink in.

I wanted to feel like I knew what I was doing except I was lost but filled with so much gratitude but also unsure if baby was okay? How far along was I? Then… google became my best friend. Which no shame people. But because I felt like this, I am going to be writing this for you reading this wondering, what’s next?

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links and I could earn a small commission if you make a purchase using one. This comes at no additional costs to you and all opinions are based on my own experience.

7 things to do after finding out you’re pregnant:

1. Don’t panic

Yes, I said it. Don’t panic and take some deep breaths. That feeling you’re feeling is completely valid but you can only make good decisions through a sound and calm mind. It’s all going to be okay. Also, if no one has told you yet – congratulations mama!

2. Find a provider

If you haven’t ever seen an OBGYN or Midwife, I suggest google, tiktok/IG search, or friends (who you’re comfortable telling) for this one. I would say this is the most important decision throughout this entire process. You should find someone you feel comfortable with, who respects your decisions, and someone you feel fully supported by.

You will see and be with this care provider a lot during your journey and they will more than likely be the person delivering your baby. Choose wisely and in my advice to you, be picky! Don’t settle until you feel at peace about your care. I didn’t personally find my midwife until my third trimester with my first and it was the best decision to shop around and find someone I knew was for me and my baby.

3. Schedule your first prenatal appointment

This goes along with the above but once you find a provider, make a prenatal appointment with them. This will be where you go and they ask you a bunch of health questions. They will ask you how far along you are or how far along you think you are. They will use the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) to calculate your due date and how far along you are. They will confirm this through an ultrasound, either transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound.

Most care providers make you wait until you’re 8-10 weeks along until they will see you because when they do the ultrasound they are checking for viability. Which means they are checking to see if the pregnancy is viable and the baby has a steady heartbeat. You aren’t able to see a babies heartbeat on the monitor until after 8 weeks and even then sometimes it is hard to see. So, from when you find out around 4-6 weeks, you will have to wait several weeks until being seen. These weeks feel like the LONGEST ever. I kid you not I was counting down the seconds until I got to see my baby.

4. Start taking a prenatal vitamin

Now, this is something you should already be taking if you’re trying to conceive (TTC). But, if not, that is okay! Start taking one TODAY. This will help aid in getting you and baby all of the nutrients you need in order to have a healthy pregnancy. (please know a prenatal does not guaranteed a pregnancy without complications in some cases) You can get a prenatal over the counter (OTC) at any drug store. Some of these can be full of fillers and unnecessary ingredients, so do your research when finding a prenatal best for you.

ALSO – when looking for a prenatal I highly recommend taking one that has *at least* 800mcg of folate, a very important vitamin for your babies brain development. I wouldn’t take one that has folic acid, as it’s the synthetic form of folate.

I use and love Ritual Prenatal Vitamins – they are SO good and use bioavailable forms of key nutrients for the body. They have a monthly subscription, where your prenatal shows up at your door every month right on time before you run out. It’s the BEST because pregnancy brain is a real thing. You can get $15 off your first month on me – just follow that link above.

5. Get ready for the morning sickness

Listen, not everyone gets morning sickness and those women are so dang lucky. But, if you’re like me, morning sickness is actually like all day sickness and it SUCKS. I mean truly is my least favorite part about pregnancy. But you can try to prepare for it as much as possible.

Eating whole foods is going to help fuel your body when a lot of hormone changes are happening and when baby is taking everything from you. Staying active as much as you can to keep your heart rate up and regulate your blood pressure. Taking your prenatal and drink soooo much water. If you need, get some zofran prescribed – outweigh the benefits and the risks for you personally.

A few other favorites are peppermint, lavender, peace & calming and orange essential oil. It is no fun and there’s just no getting around it. Definitely rest as well when you can. I know sleeping helped me a lot. That first trimester is just ROUGH but I promise it gets better.

6. Know the signs of a miscarriage

This is a heavy one – but knowledge is power my friend. It is better to know or have an idea of what is happening than to be in the unknown. I am not a healthcare professional, so I am listing the things I personally know but there can be more. But if you suspect any

• Extrememe Cramping
• Bleeding
• Abdominal Pain
• Foul Odor

Contact your healthcare professional or if you even suspect that something is off, it is always okay to call or go be seen to be sure that everything is okay. It is your right and if you have a gut feeling, trust it.

7. Tell your loved ones (If you want to)

I think this was the most exciting part after us finding out, was telling others that we loved that we were pregnant! It is such an exciting time and others want to revel in that joy with you. In my own experience, some people may not react the way you desire (or expect) for them to and that’s okay. Brush those people off and know that the life you are carrying is a gift!

Finding out you are pregnant is such a roller coaster. I hope after you read this that you feel equipped to take the next steps! Once again, congratulations and best of luck in your pregnancy and your journey to becoming a mother! It truly is my greatest joy and biggest blessing. You got this!!

Please leave any comments or email me if you have any specific questions. I would love to help and guide you in the right direction! Blessings my friend.

If you’re interested in having a hospital birth, I shared my personal experience here: “Natural Unmedicated Hospital Birth”