Pregnancy To Do List

Last Updated on 03/01/2021 by Mama Must Have

Welcome to the pregnancy journey! You’ve found out that you’re pregnant and you know that life is about to change. If this is your first pregnancy you may be especially overwhelmed, excited, and unsure of what you need to do along the way. This pregnancy to do list shares some things that you need to consider doing as you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

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First Trimester To-Do List

1. Start taking a prenatal vitamin. Baby and Me2 is a great option because they are high quality, made from real food and they won’t irritate your stomach. You can also take them on an empty stomach. They are a little pricey but definitely worth it. You also don’t need to wait until your first doctor’s appointment to start taking prenatal vitamins.
2. Explore options for doctors/midwives and delivery options (hospital, home birth, birthing center). Make sure your doctor of choice is covered by your insurance. Learn the cost of prenatal visits/co pays.
3. Deliveries can be pricey if they are not fully covered by your insurance. Start setting aside some finances for hospital bills and for things you’ll want or need for the baby.
4. Do you have any unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking? Stop NOW.
5. Do you drink a lot of caffeine? Reduce your caffeine intake…or stop completely. If you choose to fully cut it out you’ll have a few rough days but it will get better.
6. Make healthier food options. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Make sure you know to avoid the foods listed here.
7. Start or continue a good workout regimen but don’t overdo it. Try to walk daily.
8. Are you suffering through morning sickness? Consider using acupressure bands to relieve the nausea. Also check out this list for other morning sickness remedies.
9. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
10. Do you want to log your pregnancy journey? You can use a pregnancy tracker app like The Bump or Hello Belly: Pregnancy Tracker that will update you with your weekly progress. If you prefer a log that you can write in, this pregnancy journal will allow you to document all the special moments of your journey. Also figure out if you want to document your journey with weekly or monthly bump pictures.
11. Schedule your first doctor’s appointment. (Most doctors like to wait until around the 8 week mark so that they can verify the pregnancy and do an ultrasound). Before your first prenatal visit, get a family history on preexisting conditions. Also write down any questions you’ll have for the doctor.
12. Ask your doctor about all the recommended prenatal tests that they plan to give you so that you can decide if you want them. Also ask about vaccines they may offer you. Please note, as per vaccine inserts for shots given during pregnancy they state “Safety and effectiveness of vaccine have not been established in pregnant women”.
13. Pick up some pregnancy books to start preparing you for what’s ahead. Check out this recommended reading list.
14. Figure out when you want to tell your friends and family. Some people like to wait until the first trimester is over and when the chances of a miscarriage are much lower. How will you tell them? Will it be low key or with a huge gender reveal party?
15. Join a pregnancy support group. You can journey with other women scheduled to give birth during the same month. Find these groups at Baby Center or What to Expect.
16. Your pants might to start to feel a little snug. Consider getting a Bellaband if you don’t want to start buying maternity clothes too early. A Bellaband will help you wear your regular pants without having to zip them up. You might also need to look into some new bras.
17. Go to the dentist. Pregnancy can increase dental problems so make sure you get your teeth checked.
18. Swap out your household cleaning items and your soaps, lotions, perfumes so that you’re not inhaling or applying anything that you’re better off avoiding.
19. Get some Burts Bees belly lotion to moisturize that belly.

Second Trimester To-Do List

1. Get a body pillow. Sleeping is about to get a bit uncomfortable and a body pillow will help make it a little easier on you. There is a wide variety of body pillows so do your research and discover which type you feel would be best for you.
2. Consider going maternity wear shopping if you’ve grown out of your clothes.
3. If the reality of pregnancy didn’t really hit you during the first trimester it probably has by now. Start thinking about names as you may know the gender of your baby soon.
4. Get something to ease the heartburn, and indigestion.
5. Solidify whether you’re having a hospital birth, home birth or birthing center. Make sure you’ve looked into all the possibilities. This will give you ample time to get to know your doctors.
6. Find prenatal classes to take. This could be at your local hospital or even online. Consider taking a childbirth class, CPR class, and a breastfeeding class. Also look into taking a tour of your birthing facility.
7. Start building your baby registry. Amazon and Babylist are two great options for a registry. Use this checklist to start you off.
8. If you haven’t started doing kegels, start now! Your pelvic floor muscles will thank you!

Third Trimester To-Do List

1. Have your baby shower. Your baby will be here before you know it so give yourself time to get the leftover items from your registry.
2. Write out your birth plan. Use this template.
3. If you are doing hypnobirthing, start working on your breathing exercises.
4. Download a contraction timer app.
5. Take lots of naps and go to the places you enjoy going to. Enjoy time to yourself. Enjoy being able to leave your house on a whim without pre planning anything!
6. Buy the items you will need postpartum. Use this list.
7. Wash some newborn and 0-3 month clothes so that you’ll be prepared for the little ones arrival. If you have a lot of newborn and 0-3 month clothes, don’t wash them all. Your baby may not fit into these clothes very long so you may need to return and/or exchange some of them.
8. Pack your hospital bag. Here is a hospital bag checklist.
9. Do you work outside of the home? Make sure to have your maternity leave scheduled.
10. Have you thought about what you’ll do after your maternity leave is up? Visit some daycares and find a place that you will be comfortable with. Familiarize yourself with their recommendations.
11. Install the car seat into the car. Visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#install-inspection to have your car seat inspected for proper installation.
12. Get a deep clean of your living space. You should probably have someone else do this as they may be able to reach places that you cannot.
13. Are friends and family asking how they can help? Get them to set up a meal train for you. Or you can also prep some freezer meals beforehand.
14. Go on a babymoon with your significant other. Enjoy the time away, the sleep and the peace and quiet.
15. Prepare a playlist of music that you feel will help you relax and help you during labor.
16. Write a checklist of last minute items that you’ll need to grab before you head to the hospital.
17. Finalize your baby’s name.

Post Birth To-Do List

1. Congratulations on your baby. You’ve probably heard this phrase but…try sleep when the baby sleeps especially the first few weeks as your body heals and you adjust to life with a newborn.
2. Remember to eat. You might be so busy with the baby and trying to rest that you might easily forget to take care of yourself and eat.
3. Download Baby tracker app to help keep track of baby’s feeding, sleeping, diapers, and pumping. You’ll be doing these things so many times a day that if you don’t keep track you’ll forget when to feed the baby. This app will be incredibly helpful because keeping track of these things lets you know the health of the baby and whether they’re eating and going to the bathroom like they should.

What are some pregnancy to do things that you did that are not listed here? Leave a comment below and let us know!