Pregnancy is an incredible journey, filled with anticipation, joy, and preparation. As your body changes and your baby grows, there are important things to tackle in each trimester to keep you and your little one healthy, happy, and prepared for delivery. Here’s your ultimate pregnancy to-do list to guide you through each stage.
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13): Getting Started
The first trimester is all about setting the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. You’ll experience a lot of physical changes, and it’s the perfect time to start planning for the months ahead.
1. Schedule Your First Prenatal AppointmentYour first prenatal visit typically happens between 6 and 8 weeks of pregnancy. During this appointment, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy, estimate your due date, and run routine tests.
2. Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins Begin taking prenatal vitamins that include folic acid, iron, and calcium to support your baby’s early development.
3. Adjust Your Diet
- Focus on a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid foods like raw fish, unpasteurized dairy, and deli meats.
4. Get Educated on Pregnancy Screenings Discuss first-trimester screenings with your healthcare provider, including tests like the nuchal translucency (NT) scan and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which check for chromosomal abnormalities.
5. Listen to Your Body Fatigue and morning sickness are common in the first trimester. Rest when needed, eat small, frequent meals, and stay hydrated.
6. Announce Your Pregnancy (If You’re Ready) While many parents wait until after the 12-week mark to share the news, the timing is entirely up to you.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14–27): The Fun Middle Stretch
By now, many early symptoms (like nausea) have subsided, and you may feel more energized. This trimester is often the most enjoyable and is a great time to check off some big to-dos.
1. Plan Your Anatomy Scan
Around 20 weeks, you’ll have an anatomy ultrasound to check your baby’s growth and development. It’s also when many parents find out their baby’s gender (if they choose to).
2. Start a Registry
The second trimester is a great time to start your baby registry. Begin researching baby gear like strollers, car seats, cribs, and nursery items.
3. Attend Prenatal Classes
Consider signing up for prenatal classes, such as childbirth education, breastfeeding, and newborn care. These can help you feel more prepared as your due date approaches.
4. Stay Active
Safe exercises like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga can help you maintain energy and stay fit during pregnancy.
5. Get the Glucose Screening Test
Around 24-28 weeks, your doctor will test for gestational diabetes with a glucose tolerance test.
6. Plan Your Maternity Leave
Now is a good time to speak with your employer about your maternity leave options and begin planning your time off.
7. Start Babyproofing Your Home
Though your baby won’t be mobile for a while, this is a good time to start thinking about making your home safe—installing outlet covers, securing furniture, and removing hazards.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40): Preparing for Baby
As your due date approaches, it’s time to focus on final preparations for the arrival of your little one.
1. Pack Your Hospital Bag Make sure your hospital bag is packed by 36 weeks. Include essentials like:
- Comfortable clothing for you
- Baby clothes and blankets
- Toiletries
- Important documents (ID, insurance card, birth plan).
2. Finalize Your Birth Plan Discuss your birth plan with your healthcare provider, including your preferences for labor, delivery, pain management, and who will be present in the room.
3. Install the Car Seat Make sure your car seat is properly installed well before your due date. Many hospitals require you to have a car seat in place before taking your baby home.
4. Take a Hospital Tour If available, schedule a tour of your hospital’s maternity ward. This will help familiarize you with the environment and make you feel more comfortable when the big day arrives.
5. Prepare for Breastfeeding (If You Plan To) If you plan to breastfeed, gather supplies like nursing bras, pads, and a pump. You might also want to learn about proper latching techniques and what to expect in those first few days.
6. Create a Postpartum Plan Postpartum recovery is just as important as preparing for the birth. Line up support for after your baby arrives—this could be a partner, family member, or postpartum doula.
7. Rest Up The final weeks of pregnancy can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Get as much rest as you can, and take it easy—your baby will be here soon!
Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience, but with a well-thought-out to-do list, you can feel more prepared and empowered at each stage. From prenatal appointments to setting up the nursery, every task brings you one step closer to meeting your baby.
