It’s happened – you’ve done the test (or maybe a fair few!) and the result’s come back positive – you’re pregnant! Whether you’ve been trying for a while or it’s happened quicker than you thought, we reckon there are a million questions running through your head, especially if this is your first time.
The good news is, we’re here to help. While your mind might be racing about what it all means and what’s ahead for you, first things first. There are some basic things you should do once it’s all sunk in…
1. Talk to your doctor
If you’re anything like us, you’ll probably want to get that appointment in the diary just to make your pregnancy news a bit more “official”. If you’re five or six weeks pregnant and unable to get an appointment for a week or so, that’s OK. Many appointments happen around the 8-week mark – though this won’t be the same for everyone.
At this appointment, your doctor will likely ask a number of questions about any previous pregnancies and will give you a general health check-up as well as offer advice on any medications you’re currently taking. They’ll also hopefully ask you about any concerns or worries you have. Make sure you write down any questions you want to ask when you’re there so you get the most out of the one-to-one time you have.
2. Work out your due date
As well as visiting your doctor, calculating your due date is another surefire way to make the reality of your pregnancy hit home. There are lots of due date calculators online, but you’ll need a few bits of information to use them. There are two main ways to work the date out: one is based on the day you conceived your baby (if you think you know). The other, used more regularly, is based on the first day of your last period (and it’s assumed you conceived halfway between periods). You’ll also need to know the length of your menstrual cycle. If it varies, use the average.
A dating scan, which you’ll likely have at around 7 to 10 weeks, will also help to give you an estimated due date (EDD), based on the size of the foetus.
It’s worth noting that only around 5% of babies come on their actual due date. Most babies come between 37 and 41 weeks and could arrive a week on either side of this date, so it’s not set in stone! But hopefully it gives you a rough timeline to work to as you prepare for your new family member.
3. Make a few small changes if you need to
Being healthy is important at any age or stage in life, including pregnancy, and there are a few small changes you can make that will help. It’s a good idea to limit your caffeine intake once you know you’re pregnant. Official advice says you should have less than 200 millimetres of caffeine per day (that’s around two small cups of instant coffee) but if you find it easy enough to switch to decaffeinated drinks that could be the best thing to do.
It’s absolutely best to avoid alcohol when pregnant, but if you have had a drink without realising you were expecting, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just try and avoid it from now on.
Ask your doctor about the best supplements to take. They’re bound to mention folic acid which helps to make blood cells as well as vitamin D. If you’re worried about any exercises you currently do, check with your doctor who’ll be able to advise on the best course of action.
4. Know the early pregnancy symptoms
Believe it or not, pregnancy symptoms can start pretty early on. For example, morning sickness can start as soon as 4 weeks, as can feeling tired, breast tenderness and going to the loo more (especially at night).
Knowing these things (and that they’re perfectly normal) will hopefully put you more at ease if / when they happen. Be aware too, that lots of these symptoms subside as you reach your second trimester.
5. Decide who to share your news with
We’re guessing that, while in the very early days of pregnancy at least, you won’t be shouting your news from the mountain tops, there might just be one or two very close people you might want to tell (aside from your partner). While the “usual” wisdom is to wait until you’ve reached the 12-week mark, this is entirely up to you. If, for example, you’re working but struggling with morning sickness, you might want to tell a trusted colleague so they are in the loop about why you might be making more bathroom trips or not being your usual self if you’re a little more fatigued than usual.
6. Get comfy
With all the changes that will be happening to your body over the next few weeks and months, you might just want to invest in a few cosy and comfy clothes to see you through pregnancy, and, of course, we’ve got loads! From laid-back hoodies you can wear throughout pregnancy and once your baby is born, over your baby’s carrier, to stretchy leggings and joggers, why not browse our collection and get some essentials in.