Everything else takes a backseat when someone finds out that she's pregnant. This makes every bit of sense, given the fact that getting preggers is basically one of the biggest and most remarkable things that can happen to a person. But the elation and pure joy one feels in the moment can often override pretty important things to consider.
In a sense, it causes us to become blind to certain realities. Similarly, if someone learns they're pregnant and they didn't plan for a kid, they can become easily distracted as well. But for this list, we will be focusing on the mothers who are thrilled and delighted that they'll be bringing a little one into this world.
This article will delve into some of the most important things that a mom needs to start thinking about, acting upon, and consulting over once she finds out that she's with child. These are expert-approved topics that we all hope each mom takes the time to think about in the hours, days, week, and months to come after she finds out. Further information can be found via our wonderful sources found at the bottom.
Without further ado, here are 20 things that moms forget to do after finding out that they're pregnant.
20 Deciding When To Tell Anybody
Don't count your chickens until they've hatched, so to speak. Just because a test or two has said that your pregnant doesn't mean the entire journey will be completed. This is why many women wait until after their first trimester to tell the vast majority of people. This, of course, is when risks are greatly depleted. Of course, there are many other reasons why women may want to consider when to let everybody know about this wonderful news. One has to do with being treated differently, which can cause issues in work environments and even may cause missed opportunities. Of course, deciding when to tell people also has to do with the father, therefore he should be considered.
19 Doing A Little Boring Baby Reading
You didn't need to become an expert overnight. But it is advisable that moms-to-be start doing a little bit of reading before things become full-on. The best reading has to do with how to provide your baby with a safe and healthy place to grow. Some suggestions for that would be Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, by Mayo Clinic. Guide To Childbirth, by Ina. May Gaskin. A Child Is Born, by Lennart Nilsson. The Mindful Mom-To-Be, by Lori Bregman. The Pregnancy Body Book, written by a team of doctors. But there really isn't any limit to what you could be expanding your mind with. Parenting books may also be important to read, but right now you should really just focus on the task at hand, growing your kid.
18 The Right Shopping Sprees At MAC
Some women totally forget that it's okay to go on shopping sprees at the makeup store after they find out they're pregnant. Of course, this is only relevant to those women who actually like wearing makeup, to begin with. If you do, then you need to be aware of what's in the makeup you're purchasing, One major thing to look out for is phthalates, which are chemicals that are often found in beauty products such as makeup. These phthalates can be harmful to the development of a baby's organs, meaning that moms want to get rid of the makeup they have that contains this and want to avoid not purchasing and wearing any that also do. Finding replacements can be fun, so get on that.
17 Capture That "Before" Photo
Believe it or not, many women forget to get that all-important "before" photo. This may not be as important as some of the things on this list but when the day comes that you're really showing, you may want a reminder of what it was like in the earliest days. The two photos together will be a great keepsake for you and for all of your friends to see. Taking photos on a whim is something that will happen a lot during pregnancy, but that "before" and "after" photo will be far more memorable than the rest. Even if this isn't your first child, it can still be a pretty great thing to have, whether it's framed or kept away in a computer somewhere.
16 Get On The Phone And Call An Actual Expert Like An OB-GYN
Okay, so now that you know you have a bun in the oven, it's really time to call an expert. Chatting with your physician is a must, but speaking with an OB-GYN is equally important. Most gynecologists won't see a pregnant woman until six to eight weeks after their last period, but it still doesn't harm anyone to call and book an appointment. You really want to be on top of this kind of stuff. Chatting with a physician and OB-GYN can also be helpful right away as they can provide you with an assortment of advice to help you through the weeks to come. You don't want to be blind when you head into your first appointment and you definitely don't want to be doing things wrong up until that point.
15 Do A Little Background Research To Avoid Surprises
Technically, this should be done before one even tries to get pregnant, but chances are most people don't really look into their genetics and their lineage unless they absolutely have to. Those who have had notable issues probably know the ins and outs of their bodies and know if these things can have an impact on becoming pregnant or staying pregnant. But the rest really need to see their practitioner and do some tests in order to make sure they are healthy and able to bring a baby into this world. The same goes for the fathers, who will also contribute to the genetic makeup of their baby to be. Although the vast majority of the time things are fine on both sides, one can find things out that may cause moms and dads to reconsider or take the necessary steps to get better.
14 Not Being On Top of Insurance Knowledge
Knowing your genetics and family medical history will also impact people's decisions to seek out insurance information. Once a woman finds out that she's pregnant, understand the ins and outs of her medical insurance is a must. Based on one's plan, a mom and dad-to-be will also want to start budgeting early for any high-deductible expenses. These high deductibles can catch an individual off-guard so it's important to know what you're in for way ahead of time. Important details regarding how insurance will cover hospital bills and tests will also be important to plan for. If you're in a region where insurance is basically covered by the government, you still want to be in the know to avoid any issues coming down the line as not everything is taken care.
13 Managing Those Early Pregnancy Symptoms
The first few weeks of a woman's pregnancy can be some of the toughest. Feeling tired, sore, and ill are all common for women during the first few weeks. Therefore, it's important to find healthy ways of treating these symptoms. You don't want to be forgetting about them. This is very easy when all you're only thinking about is how great it is to have a kid on the way. Eating well is one of the best tools you have at your disposal when combating these symptoms. Iron-rich foods tend to prevent pregnancy anemia and slow-release energy foods can be helpful when up against feeling tired. Drinking extra fluids will also help a number of issues while in those first few weeks.
12 Stock That Purse With Water And Snacks
As we just mentioned, drinking tons of water is vital for battling those issues in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. But being hydrating is also important for the development of a baby in the womb. Therefore, you want to be purchasing a bigger purse to house a couple of bottles of water, preferably reusable bottles since you don't want to be bringing your child into a world of beaches full of plastic bottles -- that is, any more than they already are. Additionally, due to the hormones raging in your body, it's challenging to predict when you will need a bit of sugar. The best defense against these feelings is having some healthy snacks in that purse as well. You basically want a pantry with you on the go.
11 Preparing For Workable Maternity Clothing
Oh yay! You get to shop! In fact, you should start thinking about purchasing workable maternity clothing not long after you find out that you're pregnant. Workable clothing means something that will be fashionable and also allow mothers to grow over time. Endless incomes are not something that is prevalent nowadays, therefore making two or three smart purchases is the best bet. This means purchasing something that will last and that will adapt to a changing body. So, you may want to do some research and get on it. This is something that can be fun, but it's also very important moving into the deeper parts of pregnancy.
10 Getting Close With All Those Lovely Lotions
As soon as you find out you're with child, you may want to start purchasing a few lotions and getting close with them. They will help you stay hydrated and avoid getting stretch marks. But getting up close and personal with your lotions isn't the only way to avoid these marks. Eating right is the best way to do it. In fact, doctors recommend a gallon of water per day while pregnant. Also keep your body loaded with vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc and protein. Eating vitamin C rich fruits, like lemons and oranges, will help your collagen development as well. Your body will be going through a lot when you get pregnant, applying things like creams and lotions every day will be a helpful way of making things feel more comfortable.
9 Informing Experts On Active Medications
Pregnancy changes everything. It's one of the most important things to happen to your body and therefore can react negatively with other things in it, such as medicine. Chatting with a medical professional, namely your physician, is important. Anything that you may be on should be mentioned to a doctor in order to make sure that it's still okay to be taking them while pregnant. Of course, this isn't just for medications from the pharmacy. As for over-the-counter meds, there is a handful to avoid aspirin, Pepto Bismol, Cold and allergy drugs Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Nicotine patches, as they can all have negative effects on the development of a child. But, of course, most women who are taken with the excitement of pregnancy aren't thinking about this.
8 Take Those Prenatal Vitamins, Which Are More Important Than They Seem
We've just spoken about the importance of telling a physician about all the medication you're on, but we haven't mentioned the importance of prenatal vitamins. Once you find out that you're pregnant, you should be purchasing a few of these over-the-counter vitamins and popping them. The nutrients are essential to your baby's development, particularly in the first four weeks after finding out you're pregnant. Therefore, you definitely want to get on this. But many women completely forget about this and don't start taking prenatal vitamins until they are told to by their physician. Always search for a supplement that contains at least the minimum recommended amount of folic acid, as this is critical to the development of a healthy brain.
7 Altering The Breakfast, Dinner, and Lunch Menus
Unfortunately, lifestyles have to change once you find out you're pregnant. But, of course, this is something that some women tend to forget about. At least, until their physicians or OB-GYNs tell them too. When it comes to lifestyle changes, menus are some of the most important to pay attention to. There are certain foods that pregnant women should absolutely avoid to help prevent listeriosis, a type of food-borne illness that affects pregnant women more often than the rest of the general population. Some of the most common foods to avoid while pregnant include deli meats, sausages and the dogs you'd eat at a baseball game, undercooked seafood, eggs, and unpasteurized milk. This may seem like a lot, and it is, but it's something you need to consider if you're newly pregnant.
6 Decluttering The Sacred Space
Usually, it takes a long time for newly pregnant women to start thinking about decluttering her home, but it's actually something that should be done earlier than not. This is because it will be so much easier to organize spaces later on when the stakes are higher. Eventually, there will be a need for placing baby products in places where less important things currently dwell. Babies require much more stuff than new-moms tend to think. This includes furniture, swings, toys, high chairs, and so on. Decluttering your spaces now will make thing so much easier when you have to juggle more important things such as birthing a kid.
5 Understanding One's True Mood
During the first trimester, progesterone and estrogen surge through your body and can leave you weepy over small things that would not have made you cry back in the day when you weren't with child. But this is normal. These hormones that swim through your body will make you feel all sorts of things, including incredible joy. But they can also be a mask for true feelings and issues that you aren't paying attention to. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, in particular, it can be challenging to understand what's going on emotionally. And most women who become pregnant don't understand things until way later. So, it's important to start to understand this so you can monitor, change, or embrace what you're feeling for the good of your own mental health and your relationships.
4 Budgeting And Researching All Those Trendy Baby Products
Now that you're pregnant, it's time to start researching all those trendy baby products that the celebrities are using and the more practical ones that "normal" people use. Because you will need to start researching which strollers, car seats, and cribs to use for your upcoming kid, you will need to start budgeting for them. This is precisely why it's important to start thinking about these things as soon as you find out you're pregnant. You don't want to be straddled with debt and other financial issues later on. You also want to make sure that you are getting precisely what you need. Of course, you don't want to purchase these things now. But you do want to make sure you know what you want when it's time to and to know if you can afford it.
3 Being In The Know About How This Will Affect Work
Pregnancy is something that affects all aspects of one's life. But once many women hear that they are with child, they don't consider how this news may affect their job. Once you find out that you're pregnant, it's important that you do a little research and find out what the maternity leave details are at your job. You may also want to be aware of some of the effects this news can have on your co-workers and superiors. It can easily put jobs on the line and cause other issues at work. A good thing to do would be to contact human resources and figure out what the best plan of action is. Conversations with them are confidential; therefore they can be a good source of information for you.
2 Organizing A Solid, Doable, And Healthy Workout Schedule
That's right, once you figure out that you're pregnant, you may want to organize a healthy, solid, and doable workout schedule that you can stick to until the end. The payoff to working out throughout your pregnancy can be really great and can help you shed the look once the baby is out. It's also something that will keep you healthy, happy, and feeling productive during the months of pregnancy. Cardio will keep your digestive tract in shape and help you avoid constipation and even balance moods. Once your body can't deal with full-on workouts, you will need to change it slightly. But consistency will help you keep things up and going strong.
1 Having At Least Once Confidant
Earlier, we spoke about the importance of knowing when to tell everyone that you're pregnant and when not to tell people. But it's very intelligent to make sure you have one confidant. Someone to help you with managing all of the other things on this list. Someone to help keep you on track. Someone who can help you with all the worries you may have. In most cases, this person should be the baby daddy. But this isn't always possible. Therefore a sibling or a parent is a good replacement. A friend is also a good choice. And when none of these are available, a doctor may be another option for you. Regardless, having someone on your side will be helpful for when you travel on this journey.
Sources: Baby Gaga, Pure Wow, Parents, Baby Center, Life With My Little, Tommys,