Your Pregnancy Checklist

TTC (Trying to Conceive)

[ ] Adopt a healthy lifestyle

[ ] See the dentist

[ ] Preconception checkup

[ ] Get tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations

[ ] Talk to relatives about family medical history including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders

[ ] Start taking prenatal vitamins

[ ] If self-employed, apply for a private disability policy

Related links: Fitness & Wellness; Healthcare; Pregnancy & Birth Services

Month 1

[ ] Time to share the good news with your partner!

[ ] Choose a prenatal caregiver (obstetrician, family physician, or midwife)

[ ] Schedule your first prenatal appointment

[ ] If you aren’t already, begin taking folic acid each day

[ ] Start eating a healthy and nutritious prenatal diet

[ ] Stop smoking, drinking and cut back on caffeine – know what’s safe and what isn’t during pregnancy

[ ] Figure out your due date

[ ] Research your health insurance – how does it deal with pregnancy and children?

[ ] Make sure partner has short- and long-term disability

[ ] Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect finances

[ ] Get to know the basics of fetal development

[ ] Buy a pregnancy book and/or app for your mobile device

[ ] Begin a pregnancy journal

[ ] Connect with other women who are due the same month you are

[ ] Create a savings plan for your child’s future expenses

[ ] Make a budget to start saving now

[ ] Start keeping track of name ideas for baby

Related links: Healthcare; Pregnancy & Birth Services; Fitness & Wellness; Financial Planning; Community Resources & Parent Support

Month 2

[ ] Prenatal visit

[ ] Find out which prenatal tests you may need

[ ] Learn what to expect during weeks 5 through 8

[ ] Do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles

[ ] Know your optimal pregnancy weight range

[ ] Manage gas, the urge to urinate, and other uncomfortable early pregnancy symptoms

[ ] Take steps to minimize your morning sickness

Related links: Fitness & Wellness; Pregnancy & Birth Services; Healthcare

Month 3

[ ] Prenatal visit

[ ] Milestone: Tell friends and family?

[ ] Is your bra suddenly uncomfortable? Shop for a new bra and learn about pregnancy breast changes

[ ] Start a safe prenatal exercise routine (See our calendar for a list of local prenatal yoga classes)

[ ] Speak with your doctor about getting the flu shot

[ ] Know what to expect from early screening tests

[ ] Involve your partner in your pregnancy

[ ] Find out if you’re having twins (and if you are, plan accordingly)

[ ] Time to tell your employer and update yourself on your company’s maternity leave policy

[ ] Speak with your doctor about seeing a chiropractor throughout pregnancy.

[ ] Schedule a prenatal massage

[ ] Manage pregnancy mood swings

[ ] Stay hydrated–get your new water intake quota

[ ] Stock up on moisturizer and pamper your pregnancy skin

Related links: Maternity Wear; Fitness & Wellness; Pregnancy & Birth Services; Calendar; Healthcare; Story: From working woman to working mother

Month 4

[ ] Prenatal visit

[ ] Take baby’s first picture – the ultrasound

[ ] Amniocentesis and triple screen (week 15-18)

[ ] Milestone: Find out baby’s gender or let it be a surprise?

[ ] Milestone: Hear baby’s heartbeat with stethoscope?

[ ] Milestone: First baby kick?

[ ] Milestone: Belly starting to show?

[ ] Start planning nursery

[ ] Start shopping for maternity clothes

[ ] Have a heart-to-heart about pregnancy and parenthood with your partner

[ ] Sign up for childbirth classes – slots may fill up fast

[ ] Want to get away? Plan a babymoon!

[ ] Find a sleep set up that’s comfortable (See the Snoogle here)

[ ] If you’re RH negative, it’s time to ask your doctor about a RhoGam shot

[ ] Take pictures of your growing belly

[ ] Look into parenting classes for the new mom and dad (See our calendar for classes near you)

[ ] Try prenatal yoga (See our calendar for classes near you)

Related links: Pregnancy & Birth Services; Healthcare; Furniture & Decor; Maternity Wear; Community Resources & Parent Support; Fitness & Wellness; Calendar

Month 5

[ ] Prenatal visit

[ ] Start pediatrician interviews

[ ] Research and sign up for childbirth classes

[ ] Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.)

[ ] Figure out how much childcare you’ll need, and start researching your options

[ ] Is baby moving? Know what to expect from baby’s first kicks!

[ ] Tired of nosy questions from strangers and friends? Master the art of the clever comeback!

[ ] Take steps to minimize pregnancy brain

Related links: Healthcare; Calendar; Childcare Providers

Month 6

[ ] Prenatal visit

[ ] Update or write will, including directions for child’s inheritance and guardianship

[ ] Purchase life insurance

[ ] Update 401K and retirement account beneficiaries

[ ] If using doula, start interviews

[ ] Send out baby shower invites

[ ] Register for baby shower gifts

[ ] Check your vision – pregnancy vision changes are common, and can be a sign of complications

[ ] Know how to manage varicose veins

[ ] Get comfortable with your rapidly changing body and boost your self-esteem

[ ] Time to start preparing your nursery

[ ] Tend to pregnancy backaches

[ ] Take a time-out to pamper yourself!

Related links: Pregnancy & Birth Services; Registries; Furniture & Decor

Month 7

[ ] Prenatal visits (two this month)

[ ] Babyproof house

[ ] Start fetal kick counts

[ ] Baby shower

[ ] Send thank-you notes for gifts (start one week after shower)

[ ] Cook and freeze meals for after delivery

[ ] Sleep in the position most comfortable for you, but preferably not on your back

[ ] Start childbirth class

[ ] Develop your birth plan

[ ] Make sure you know the signs of premature labor

[ ] Decide who will be in the delivery room with you

[ ] Care for painful pregnancy hemorrhoids

[ ] Buy your baby’s crib and mattress

[ ] Buy a rocking chair

[ ] Time to get your stroller

[ ] Get tested for gestational diabetes

[ ] Learn what your belly’s size says about your baby

Related links: Calendar; Furniture & Decor; Children's Equipment & Supplies; Pregnancy & Birth Services

Month 8

[ ] Prenatal visits (two this month)

[ ] Buy any baby items still needed

[ ] Prepare all baby first aid and emergency items

[ ] Print and fill out emergency sheets

[ ] Get a low-maintenance haircut

[ ] Finish painting nursery

[ ] Shop for and learn how to install your baby’s car seat

[ ] Start researching breastfeeding – ask if your doctor or pediatrician’s office has a lactation consultant

[ ] Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns

[ ] For tender breasts, try a nursing bra for extra support and avoid harsh soaps

[ ] To ease back pain, wear low-heeled shoes and sit in chairs with good back support

[ ] Speak with doctor about any additional tests you’d like run

[ ] Group B strep test (week 35-37)

[ ] Milestone: Last day of work

[ ] Milestone: Last week to fly safely (week 35)

[ ] Get a 3D ultrasound

[ ] Expecting a boy? Study up on circumcision and make sure you and your partner are on the same page

[ ] Put your feet up – they are working extra hard these days!

[ ] Buy your diaper bag, and stock up on diapering essentials

[ ] Buy a high chair

[ ] Shop for a nursing bra and tank tops

[ ] Attend your childbirth class

[ ] Build your email/phone list for sharing the birth of your baby!

Related links: Children's Clothing & Accessories; Children's Equipment & Supplies; Pregnancy & Birth Services; Maternity Wear; Calendar; Community Resources & Parent Support

Month 9

[ ] Prenatal visits to obstetrician or nurse-midwife (weekly until delivery)

[ ] Non-stress test

[ ] Biophysical profile

[ ] Study up on newborn vaccines and find out what’s best for your baby

[ ] Talk to your doctor about baby’s position and how it may impact childbirth

[ ] Learn how to prepare your pet(s) for the baby’s arrival

[ ] Planning to use cloth diapers? Arrange for diaper service

[ ] Finalize your baby name selections

[ ] Pick out your baby announcements and thank you notes – and address those envelopes now (time will be at a premium soon)

[ ] Figure out how you feel about inducing labor – learn the pros and cons

[ ] Buy a baby sling or baby carrier

[ ] Know your contractions – recognize the differences between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor

[ ] Prepare yourself for labor and delivery

[ ] Wash and put away your baby’s new clothes

[ ] Prepare for the weeks after you give birth

[ ] Pack your bag – your baby will be here soon!

[ ] Be excited about all you have accomplished

[ ] Relax and enjoy the last days before delivery!

Welcome, baby!

Related links: Pregnancy & Birth Services; Diaper Services; Children's Equipment & Supplies; Children's Clothing & Accessories