Pregnancy To-do List

First Trimester

• Schedule your first prenatal appointment with your obstetrician, as well as your ongoing appointments, screenings and ultrasounds. Search our Provider Directory to find a local in-network provider.
• Discuss with your doctor:
• Whether you should take a daily prenatal vitamin.
• How medications (prescriptions; over-the-counter (OTC) products) you currently take will affect your pregnancy.
• Familiarize yourself with your health plan's maternity benefits.
• Quit smoking. Learn more about our Tobacco Cessation Program through UMR.
• Limit caffeine intake (less than 200mg, or one 12-ounce cup, per day).
• Create a baby budget. Start by learning about costs here.
• Schedule your upcoming prenatal appointments, screenings and ultrasounds.
• Purchase maternity bras to provide necessary support.
• Relieve morning sickness.

Second Trimester

• Prepare your birth plan.
• Pre-register at the hospital where you plan to deliver.
• You should begin to feel the baby move. Start doing fetal kick counts.
• Receive the glucose screening test for gestational diabetes.
• If you have a negative blood type, you can discuss receiving a Rhogam injection with your health care provider.
• Research car seat safety information. Find an inspection station close to your home for further assistance.
• Take classes — like childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and newborn parenting — to prepare. Contact the hospital where you will deliver to find out more about the classes they offer.
• Schedule a teeth cleaning with your dentist.
• Start your childcare search (daycare, nanny, relative, etc.).
• Consider purchasing life insurance or increasing your coverage.
• Review your employer’s maternity leave benefits.
• Purchase maternity clothes. Check out these staple pieces.
• Create a baby registry.
• Prepare older children and pets for when your newborn arrives.

Third Trimester

• Choose a pediatrician — your newborn will need regular check-ups. Search our Provider Directory to find a local in-network provider.
• Tour your hospital’s maternity ward or birth center.
• Pack your hospital bag.
• Begin necessary preparations if you are planning on breastfeeding.
• If you plan on feeding your baby infant formula, learn how to prepare and store your infant's formula. 
• Install your car seat. You can visit a local fire department for assistance or find an inspection station close to your home. Assemble any other baby gear like a crib, stroller, etc.
• Stock your house with supplies and newborn essentials.
• Discuss any third trimester blood tests, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening, blood transfusion options, cord blood banking and the Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) with your health care provider.

General Tips throughout Pregnancy

• Drink water (six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid per day, plus an additional 8 ounces per hour of light activity).
• Stretch to enhance flexibility, prevent muscle tightening and feel more relaxed. Get started with these pregnancy stretches.
• Take naps to help ease feelings of fatigue during the day. Quick walks (15 to 20 minutes) can help boost energy levels as well.
• Make sure you are getting proper nutrition.
• Track your weight gain to make sure you are gaining at the right pace.
• Know the signs of a pregnancy problem. If you sense something is wrong, call your doctor or midwife immediately.
• Watch for signs and symptoms of premature labor and preeclampsia. Call your health care provider if you are experiencing these symptoms.

Warning Signs During Pregnancy And After

Seek medical care immediately if you experience any of the symptoms below during pregnancy, or during the year after delivery.

• Fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain or fast-beating heart
• Severe stomach pain that does not go away
• Heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding, leaking, or discharge during pregnancy, or heavy fluid that smells bad after pregnancy
• Dizziness or fainting
• Prolonged headache that worsens over time
• Suicidal thoughts or depression
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Baby’s movement stops or slows during pregnancy
• Severe swelling, redness or pain in legs or arms
• Changes in vision
• Extreme swelling of hands or face
• Overwhelming tiredness

It is important to remember that this is not an exhaustive list of symptoms. If something does not feel right, or if you are not sure about a symptom, contact your health care provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides further details of the warning signs, so you know when to seek medical care. 

Managing Weight During Pregnancy

During your pregnancy, it is best to focus on eating the right foods and staying active. Below are some healthy eating tips to help you get started.

Healthy choices

• Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and low in calories and fat.
• Beans are not only a good source of protein and fiber, they have other key nutrients, such as iron, folate, calcium and zinc.
• Eat breads, crackers, and cereals made with whole grains.
• Choose reduced-fat dairy products (at least 4 servings of milk products per day).
• Choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.

For a complete breakdown of the basic pregnancy diet, check out this pregnancy nutrition infographic from What to Expect^®.

Foods to avoid

• Naturally sweetened is better than foods and drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
• Food and drinks that list sugar or corn syrup as one of the first ingredients are not good choices.
• Many sweetened drinks are high in calories and sugar. Substitute water for sodas and fruit drinks.
• Avoid junk-food snacks, such as chips, candy, cake, cookies and ice cream.
• Go light on fats. Fats include cooking oils, margarine, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, lard, sour cream and cream cheese. Try the lower-fat versions of these foods.

Learn more about foods to avoid during pregnancy — check out this infographic or visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' page on Food Safety.

WHEN BABY HAS ARRIVED

The early years of a child’s life are very important for his or her health and development. Regular well-child visits during your baby’s first 15 months allow pediatricians to provide recommended preventive services including screenings and immunizations. Plus, your pediatrician can make sure your child is meeting developmental milestones common for his or her age.

Receiving recommended preventive services could improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents and promote healthy lifestyles that will enable them to achieve their full potential. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies get checkups at birth, 3 to 5 days after birth and then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 months, after which, visits become yearly.

Keep up with recommended well-child visits to make sure your baby is receiving the care they need.

It is important to remember that each child is different. Your pediatrician will be able to provide care recommendations tailored to you and your child.