Pregnant? Now what?

I am pregnant now what?

Discovering you're pregnant often brings with it a wave of conflicting emotions. The way everyone responds to a positive pregnancy test is highly individual.

In the midst of your emotional surges it can be tricky to concentrate and focus on what to do. Here are the most important things to do in the first few weeks of your new pregnancy:

1. Take a pregnancy test

Even if you've already done one pregnancy test, a second one using a different brand is always a good idea. If you haven t done a pregnancy test at all yet, consider doing it when you're partner is home. That way you can process the news together.

2. Keep your news hush hush for now

Try to enjoy the very early weeks of your pregnancy with just yourself or your partner. It's such a special time. The need to shout it from the rooftops can feel strong, but it's often better to wait a bit. There is plenty of time to share your news and before you know it you won t be able to hide your big belly!

It's generally safer to wait until the end of your first trimester to tell the world. After your first trimester your risk of miscarrying is significantly lower. However, that said you should share your news whenever it feels right for you.

3. Choose a healthcare professional

Even if your home pregnancy test was positive, it's important to have your pregnancy confirmed by a professional. You'll be seeing a lot of your chosen healthcare provider over the coming months (and they ll be seeing a lot of you), so it's important to find someone that you trust and are comfortable with. Once you've found your match, give your pregnancy a good start and schedule your first prenatal appointment.

4. Calculate your baby's due date.

Don t panic, you don t need advanced maths skills here. Use our simple due date calculator. Knowing your due date means you can set up a countdown, which is great for planning. Before you know it, your baby will be ready to meet you.

5. Start taking care of your body

Your body is your unborn baby's home for nine months. To help your baby grow and develop you need to pay attention to your health. For starters, make sure your diet is high in folic acid, you may need to take a prenatal vitamin or supplement. Do your best to also follow a healthy diet and get plenty of rest.

Looking after your body also means avoiding a few things that could be harmful to you and your baby. You don t need to live in a bubble but you should avoid:

• Alcohol there is no proven safe amount for you and your unborn baby
• Cigarette smoke it's full of harmful toxins and can cause defects in your baby
• Harmful foods like soft cheeses, certain fish, raw eggs and meat, and some food additives