Things You Should As Soon As You Find Out You’re Pregnant

Congrats, you’ve just found out you’re pregnant!  Now what? If you’re in the midst of feeling a combination of excitement and confusion all at once, you’re not alone.  If you’ve never had a baby before, it’s natural to feel a bit lost in the process.

The good news is that you’ll find out as you go.  What is most important are the initial steps that you take once you find out you're pregnant.  Here are the things you should do right away.

Arrange A Doctor Appointment

It’s vital that you arrange an appointment with a doctor or midwife to ensure that everything is looking good.  They’ll ask you a few questions to determine your due date, and determine how far along you are.

It’s crucial that you find someone that you trust to guide you through your pregnancy to birth.  The last thing that you want to worry about is putting yourself and your baby into the wrong hands.  A lot of things can go wrong during birth, so it’s essential that you are with someone you can rely on to see you through.

Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you should run to the pharmacy and buy prenatal vitamins.  The point is to make sure that you get the essential nutrients necessary to protect your baby against birth defects such as spina bifida.

In addition to your prenatal vitamins, you should be eating a balanced diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of lean proteins.  As a result, you’ll be getting all the minerals and nutrients that you and your baby need.

Quit Drinking / Smoking

Since there is not enough research yet to determine how little alcohol is acceptable during pregnancy, the safest advice is to cut out alcohol entirely.  Babies who have been exposed to large amounts of alcohol while in the womb are often born with defects including fetal alcohol syndrome.  Therefore, it’s wise to eliminate the risk altogether.

If you do decide to drink alcohol, you should know that there are a considerable amount of risks, particularly during the first trimester, so you should move forward with caution.

In addition to alcohol, smoking is also known for being dangerous. Studies show that women who smoke during pregnancy are at a higher risk for miscarriage or going into labor prematurely.  If you’re a smoker and think it will be a challenge, talk to your doctor about alternatives like an e-cigarette.

Reduce Caffeine

If you love your morning cup of java, it’s ok to continue drinking it during pregnancy.  However, you should limit yourself to only one cup a day. Don’t forget that caffeine is found in places other than coffee, like candies and sodas.  You should educate yourself on where caffeine hides in order to avoid consuming too much.