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Pregnancy is one of the hardest experiences you will ever go through, and it will also be one of the coolest! It’s amazing that our bodies are capable of growing as human beings. That being said, there are a ton of different things to do while pregnant!
Pregnancy is one of the hardest experiences you will ever go through, and it will also be one of the coolest! It’s amazing that our bodies are capable of growing as human beings. That being said, there are a ton of different things to do while pregnant!
If you’re past the first trimester, feel free to scroll down to the to-do list that corresponds with how far along you are!
What To Avoid While Pregnant
What To Avoid While Pregnant
1. Hot Baths and Hot Tubs
Raising the body’s internal temperature to anything above 101 degrees can cause birth deformities. Hot tubs and saunas should be eliminated completely, and baths should be lukewarm.
When you’re pregnant, aching, and uncomfortable, a hot tub sounds so relaxing! But don’t do it. It’s not worth the possibility of a permanent birth defect, or possibly even a life-threatening condition.
2. Smoking, Drinking Alcohol or Taking Any Potentially Dangerous Medications
This is probably the most important one! Stop smoking, and stop drinking completely. If you are smoking or drinking excessively, talk to your doctor immediately about quitting, as sometimes you might have to taper off, if your consumption is regular or excessive.
Drinking while pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which can cause physical and mental birth defects.
Some studies show one glass of wine a day is safe, don’t do it! No amount is safe. It’s only nine months, it’s not worth the risk. You are growing someone inside of you, do your best to keep that sweet baby healthy.
This includes being cautious about taking certain medications. To view a list of medications that are safe to take while pregnant, and which are not, click here!
3. High-risk activities
Activities that could be potentially harmful to your unborn child should be avoided. High-risk activities can cause miscarriage, birth deformities, or placental abruption. Activities to be avoided are:
Heavy lifting-lifting more than 20lbs is not recommended – be sure to check with your doctor first
Jerking motions, such as amusement park rides
Sports that you could get hit by another person or equipment such as a ball
Activities that pose a fall risk, such as rock climbing or rollerblading
4. Eating foods that are said to be dangerous during pregnancy
There are quite a few foods that have proven to harm an unborn child when consumed by a mother. Some of those foods include:
Unpasteurized milk, cheeses, and juices
Raw or undercooked meat and fish
Fish that are high in mercury, such as tuna
Deli meats such as lunch meat and hot dogs and meats that come in premade salads
For an in-depth list of foods to avoid during pregnancy and an explanation as to why these foods are potentially harmful, check out this article!
First trimester to do list
First trimester to do list
1. Start Tracking Your Pregnancy
1. Start Tracking Your Pregnancy
There are so many apps out there for tracking your pregnancy. Two of the most popular are “what to expect pregnancy and baby tracker” and “the bump.” It is so fun to track your pregnancy and be aware of the development of your baby every week. Pregnancy is fascinating!
There are so many apps out there for tracking your pregnancy. Two of the most popular are “what to expect pregnancy and baby tracker” and “the bump.” It is so fun to track your pregnancy and be aware of the development of your baby every week. Pregnancy is fascinating!
2. Start A “Pregnancy Approved” Diet and Exercise Program
2. Start A “Pregnancy Approved” Diet and Exercise Program
Avoiding gaining more than a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy will make recovery a lot easier. Also, a healthy diet is important for growing a healthy baby!
Avoiding gaining more than a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy will make recovery a lot easier. Also, a healthy diet is important for growing a healthy baby!
The belly-only pregnancy program is the perfect plan for avoiding excess weight gain, while also doing exercises that will help prepare you for labor.
The belly-only pregnancy program is the perfect plan for avoiding excess weight gain, while also doing exercises that will help prepare you for labor.
Here are a few things that the belly-only pregnancy program covers:
Here are a few things that the belly-only pregnancy program covers:
pregnancy nutrition
pregnancy nutrition
losing fat while pregnant
losing fat while pregnant
pelvic floor exercises to prepare for labor
pelvic floor exercises to prepare for labor
preventative exercises for diastasis recti
preventative exercises for diastasis recti
anti-nausea recipes
anti-nausea recipes
recipe ideas for each meal of the day
recipe ideas for each meal of the day
and so much more!
and so much more!
3. Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin
3. Start Taking A Prenatal Vitamin
Prenatal Vitamins are so important! One of the main nutrients in prenatal vitamins is folic acid, and it’s REALLY important that you are getting enough folic acid during your pregnancy. If you are deficient, the baby’s development can be affected. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, such as Spina Bifida.
Prenatal Vitamins are so important! One of the main nutrients in prenatal vitamins is folic acid, and it’s REALLY important that you are getting enough folic acid during your pregnancy. If you are deficient, the baby’s development can be affected. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, such as Spina Bifida.
4. Decide on the Kind of Birth You Want
4. Decide on the Kind of Birth You Want
While you don’t have to do know exactly what you want yet, if you want to do a natural birth, it’s important to start preparing for it as early as possible. A lot of women who want a natural birth choose to use a midwife rather than a traditional obstetrician.
While you don’t have to do know exactly what you want yet, if you want to do a natural birth, it’s important to start preparing for it as early as possible. A lot of women who want a natural birth choose to use a midwife rather than a traditional obstetrician.
If you are considering a natural birth, be sure to check out our article on having a natural birth. It has tips, tricks, and natural birth stories from 10 different moms. It will help motivate and educate you on unmedicated childbirth.
If you are considering a natural birth, be sure to check out our article on having a natural birth. It has tips, tricks, and natural birth stories from 10 different moms. It will help motivate and educate you on unmedicated childbirth.
5. Go See Your Doctor
5. Go See Your Doctor
You should make a doctor's appointment to confirm the pregnancy and get your first ultrasound. A lot of doctors won’t see you until 8+ weeks, so don’t be surprised if they schedule you out a bit. You can also ask your doctor about any concerns you might have.
You should make a doctor's appointment to confirm the pregnancy and get your first ultrasound. A lot of doctors won’t see you until 8+ weeks, so don’t be surprised if they schedule you out a bit. You can also ask your doctor about any concerns you might have.
If your doctor doesn’t offer obstetric services, you can ask them for a referral to an OB. Personally, I like to see the same doctor for everything, so I go to a family practice that offers OB care, and they’re also very good with young children, so I don’t have to go to a separate office to see a pediatrician.
If your doctor doesn’t offer obstetric services, you can ask them for a referral to an OB. Personally, I like to see the same doctor for everything, so I go to a family practice that offers OB care, and they’re also very good with young children, so I don’t have to go to a separate office to see a pediatrician.
You can check on local Facebook mom groups to ask for preferences on doctors. You can even include in your post the type of birth you’d like to have or the hospital you’d like to deliver at, to narrow down the options.
You can check on local Facebook mom groups to ask for preferences on doctors. You can even include in your post the type of birth you’d like to have or the hospital you’d like to deliver at, to narrow down the options.
6. Start Saving Money
6. Start Saving Money
Put away a set amount of money every time you or your spouse gets paid, even if it’s only $20. There are so many unexpected expenses that come up when you have a baby. And it can never hurt to have some money in savings in case of an emergency.
Put away a set amount of money every time you or your spouse gets paid, even if it’s only $20. There are so many unexpected expenses that come up when you have a baby. And it can never hurt to have some money in savings in case of an emergency.
You can even put some money away toward different things such as an emergency fund, nursery décor fund, diapers fund, or anything you can think of that you might have to spend a chunk of money on.
You can even put some money away toward different things such as an emergency fund, nursery décor fund, diapers fund, or anything you can think of that you might have to spend a chunk of money on.
7. Take Pictures
7. Take Pictures
Start taking pictures! You can take pictures every four weeks or so. It can be fun to put your pictures together in a collage and see the transformation your body has undergone to grow your baby. It’s amazing what our bodies are capable of!
Start taking pictures! You can take pictures every four weeks or so. It can be fun to put your pictures together in a collage and see the transformation your body has undergone to grow your baby. It’s amazing what our bodies are capable of!
Pictures can be a really fun way to share with friends and family that you are expecting. But to get some more ideas, check out these 30 ways to announce your pregnancy!
Pictures can be a really fun way to share with friends and family that you are expecting. But to get some more ideas, check out these 30 ways to announce your pregnancy!
8. Learn about everything you should avoid during pregnancy
8. Learn about everything you should avoid during pregnancy
It’s important to educate yourself on what’s dangerous and what’s not. It can be difficult to break a habit of any kind, but it is completely worth the stress it causes, to know that you have done everything you can to keep your baby healthy and happy! In case you missed it, the section above goes over everything you need to avoid during pregnancy. But be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything else you personally should avoid during your pregnancy.
It’s important to educate yourself on what’s dangerous and what’s not. It can be difficult to break a habit of any kind, but it is completely worth the stress it causes, to know that you have done everything you can to keep your baby healthy and happy! In case you missed it, the section above goes over everything you need to avoid during pregnancy. But be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything else you personally should avoid during your pregnancy.
Second Trimester To Do List
Second Trimester To Do List
1. Get Your Anatomy Scan
1. Get Your Anatomy Scan
Typically, an anatomy scan is typically performed at 20 weeks gestation. During an anatomy scan, an ultrasound technician will do an in-depth ultrasound. You will get to see the baby’s organs, and see how they’re developing.
Typically, an anatomy scan is typically performed at 20 weeks gestation. During an anatomy scan, an ultrasound technician will do an in-depth ultrasound. You will get to see the baby’s organs, and see how they’re developing.
The ultrasound tech will send the results to your doctor, and the doctor can inform you of any potential abnormalities they may have found.
The ultrasound tech will send the results to your doctor, and the doctor can inform you of any potential abnormalities they may have found.
This is also when you will be able to find out the gender of your baby if you wish to do so. Some doctors will allow you to find out gender earlier than 20 weeks, if this is something you want just ask your doctor when the earliest you can find out gender would be.
This is also when you will be able to find out the gender of your baby if you wish to do so. Some doctors will allow you to find out gender earlier than 20 weeks, if this is something you want just ask your doctor when the earliest you can find out gender would be.
2. Take A Vacation
2. Take A Vacation
Even if it’s a small, inexpensive vacation, you should go on a trip with your partner. The second trimester is the perfect time to do this because it is generally the most pleasant time during your pregnancy. Morning sickness generally improves after the first trimester.
Even if it’s a small, inexpensive vacation, you should go on a trip with your partner. The second trimester is the perfect time to do this because it is generally the most pleasant time during your pregnancy. Morning sickness generally improves after the first trimester.
The second trimester is also fun because you are clearly pregnant. You have a belly, and you can feel your baby moving around. But, you’re not huge yet. When you get into the third trimester, your belly is a lot more difficult to deal with.
The second trimester is also fun because you are clearly pregnant. You have a belly, and you can feel your baby moving around. But, you’re not huge yet. When you get into the third trimester, your belly is a lot more difficult to deal with.
If you decide to go on a vacation that requires flying, or even long car rides, it is safer to go before you are too far along.
If you decide to go on a vacation that requires flying, or even long car rides, it is safer to go before you are too far along.
3. Create Your Baby Registry
3. Create Your Baby Registry
It is time to start creating your list of baby must-haves. You want to get your baby registry together in time for your family and friends to get you the items on your list for your baby shower. Be sure to check out our ultimate list of baby registry must-haves!
It is time to start creating your list of baby must-haves. You want to get your baby registry together in time for your family and friends to get you the items on your list for your baby shower. Be sure to check out our ultimate list of baby registry must-haves!
4. Start Planning Your Baby Shower
4. Start Planning Your Baby Shower
Baby showers are generally done between the seventh to eighth months of pregnancy. So the second trimester is the time to start planning it. Our article on baby shower gift ideas might help you come up with a few ideas of unique things to add to your baby registry!
Baby showers are generally done between the seventh to eighth months of pregnancy. So the second trimester is the time to start planning it. Our article on baby shower gift ideas might help you come up with a few ideas of unique things to add to your baby registry!
Third Trimester To Do List
Third Trimester To Do List
1. Get the Nursery Set Up
1. Get the Nursery Set Up
Decorating the nursery is one of the most fun parts of preparing for the baby! It can help you make sure you have everything you need for a baby. And it’s fun to start nesting! You can follow our Nursery Ideas board on Pinterest to get some fun ideas for the nursery, as well as check out our article on 6 often forgot about nursery essentials!
Decorating the nursery is one of the most fun parts of preparing for the baby! It can help you make sure you have everything you need for a baby. And it’s fun to start nesting! You can follow our Nursery Ideas board on Pinterest to get some fun ideas for the nursery, as well as check out our article on 6 often forgot about nursery essentials!
2. Choose A Baby Name
2. Choose A Baby Name
This is the hardest part of preparing for a baby, and one of the most important things to do while pregnant! Choosing a baby name can be fun AND frustrating, especially if you and your partner can’t agree on a name.
This is the hardest part of preparing for a baby, and one of the most important things to do while pregnant! Choosing a baby name can be fun AND frustrating, especially if you and your partner can’t agree on a name.
3. Take A Birthing Class
3. Take A Birthing Class
A birthing class can be so beneficial for getting through labor and delivery with less stress. Labor is nerve-wracking, so anything to make it less stressful is worth it!
A birthing class can be so beneficial for getting through labor and delivery with less stress. Labor is nerve-wracking, so anything to make it less stressful is worth it!
**Check out this online prenatal class! Online classes are perfect for couples who might struggle to find
**Check out this online prenatal class! Online classes are perfect for couples who might struggle to find
time to take an in-person class together, as well as couples who might live somewhere that don’t have a ton of options for birthing classes.
time to take an in-person class together, as well as couples who might live somewhere that don’t have a ton of options for birthing classes.
*Also, if you’re planning on breastfeeding your baby, you will love this Breastfeeding 101 Course, it has so much information on nutrition, correct latch and positioning, tips and techniques, common concerns, what to expect, and so much more!
*Also, if you’re planning on breastfeeding your baby, you will love this Breastfeeding 101 Course, it has so much information on nutrition, correct latch and positioning, tips and techniques, common concerns, what to expect, and so much more!
4. Come Up With A Birth Plan
4. Come Up With A Birth Plan
A birth plan is a list of your preferences for labor and delivery. Some things people include are your desires for pain relief during labor, skin-to-skin contact afterward, delayed cord clamping, etc.
A birth plan is a list of your preferences for labor and delivery. Some things people include are your desires for pain relief during labor, skin-to-skin contact afterward, delayed cord clamping, etc.
It’s important to educate yourself on all the things that you’ll need to make a decision about. To read more about creating a birth plan, check out this article that has a checklist and easy template for exactly how to write a birth plan!
It’s important to educate yourself on all the things that you’ll need to make a decision about. To read more about creating a birth plan, check out this article that has a checklist and easy template for exactly how to write a birth plan!
We hope this to-do list of things to do while pregnant helps you to start preparing for your sweet baby to get here!
We hope this to-do list of things to do while pregnant helps you to start preparing for your sweet baby to get here!
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