Pregnancy Checklist

I am fond of scheduling my activities and putting things on a checklist that way I get to know what has been accomplished and what’s not. Being pregnant for the first time is not an exception. Since I have no idea what to do as an expecting mom I have listed some things which are important to my pregnancy.

Here is a checklist for early pregnancy that might be useful to you too, especially for first time moms:

• Schedule your first prenatal visit with your practitioner when you’re about nine weeks along. Your doctor will schedule you for an appointment after your very first visit (the day you found out that you’re pregnant). Plan on seeing your practitioner every four weeks.
• Avoid alcohol, drugs, cigarettes. These things are very dangerous to the developing fetus inside you. I have also included coffee and chocolate but have caffeine in it that is not good for the baby as well.
• If you’re a coffee drinker and couldn’t seem to give this habit up, cut back and switch to decaf or you may try herbal or decaffeinated tea.
• If your immunizations are not up to date, let your practitioner know. You will be advised to take some important vaccines like tetanus vaccine and if necessary vaccines for hepatitis as well.
• Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day).
• Stick to a diet naturally high in folic acid like oranges, melon, dark green vegetables. Folic acid is necessary to help develop baby’s brain.
• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods like whole grains, beans, raisins and nuts.
• Keep your blood sugar level at a certain level advised by your practitioner because diabetes in pregnancy is also common.
• As a general rule, avoid medication and consult with your doctor before taking any. Taking medication without your doctor’s advise is very dangerous to your baby.
• Get plenty of sleep, and try to nap if you feel tired during the day. This is not a problem for me because I sleep most of the time during my pregnancy.
• Exercise moderately. Don’t start a new exercise regimen when you’re pregnant, and be careful not to become overheated for prolonged periods.
• If your family has a history of genetic disorders, consider prenatal testing and inform your practitioner about this so he could monitor early the progress of your baby’s development.
• Start budgeting for your new life with baby.
• Choose a place to give birth (Hospital? birthing center? home?).
• Consider starting a pregnancy diary and having someone to take a picture of you (and your expanding belly) each month. Its fun and nice to see the changes happening within you through the photos. I got tons of photos myself and have enjoyed reminiscing my pregnant days.
• Refrain from getting perms, dyes and other treatments involving heavy chemicals.
• Buy some loose fitting and comfortable clothes and a pair of flat comfortable, well-cushioned shoes.
• Get smart. Buy a few pregnancy books. Having a lot of useful information on pregnancy is a tremendous help in taking care of yourself and your baby. It pays to be well-informed.

I know the above list may seem endlessly long and a lot. But once you get to do those things listed you wouldn’t even realize it. Remember you’re a mommy now, we need to focus on the things that’s important for the baby and ourselves.