What do once your pregnant

Staying healthy and safe. Evonne Lack Bradford is an educational writer and an instructional designer. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and pretending she has a green thumb.

Join now to personalize. Congratulations, kudos, and woo hoo — you're pregnant! In those rare moments when you're not dancing on air or completely freaking out, you may wonder what you need to do next. Here are the most important things to do as you wait to meet your baby. Photo credit: iStock. Start with the pregnancy basics Plan ahead before you have your baby Take care of your body and baby Get answers about your pregnancy.

Start with the pregnancy basics Calculate your baby's due date. Don't bother with a pencil and paper — just use our handy due date calculator. Not only will it tell you the date you'll be looking forward to all pregnancy long, it'll give you a personalized calendar that shows when you'll hear your baby's heartbeat, find out your baby's sex, and more.

Choose a doctor or midwife. You'll be seeing a lot of your obstetrician, family physician, or midwife over the coming months, so it's important to find a good match. Once you've made your decision, help get your pregnancy off to a healthy start by scheduling your first prenatal appointment. Prenatal care providers typically schedule the visit for when you're at least 8 weeks pregnant. Decide when to announce your pregnancy.

It can hit at any time of day or night. Morning sickness generally begins around week 6 of your pregnancy and lasts until the end of your first trimester. For some people, however, it can last longer.

In rare cases, a severe condition called hyperemesis gravidarum HG can occur. Here are a few suggestions for things you can pick up:.

You can also ask your doctor for guidance and support. No matter what you choose, having a support system before, during, and after can be very beneficial. Just remember: The decision to continue or terminate your pregnancy is yours alone to make. Just make sure you know your rights and look for a reputable healthcare professional. Learn everything you need to know about pregnancy here, from how to prevent it to the signs of labor.

Discover nearly 20 early symptoms, and find out…. What you eat during pregnancy is important for your health, as well as the health of your baby. Here are 13 foods you should eat when you're pregnant.

Prenatal nutrition can be confusing. This article explains which supplements are believed to be safe during pregnancy and which ones you should avoid. Working while pregnant is generally OK, but there are some things to keep in mind. Learn which ones you should follow for a healthy pregnancy and baby. A new study finds that epidurals do not affect child development in their later years.

A fetal arrhythmia is an irregular heart rate — too fast, too slow, or otherwise outside the norm. It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Scully on July 29, Tell someone if you want to. Choose a healthcare professional. And there will be plenty of time to go through your list of questions. We know you are excited to see your baby as soon as possible. Generally, it can be heard at or after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Your ultrasound, where you can actually see your baby, may be scheduled for later in your first trimester.

But, each clinic does it differently. So, feel free to ask about specific ultrasound timing and details when you call to schedule your initial visit. You have many choices when it comes to who you should see for prenatal care. Depending on your health and preferences, you can pick an OB-GYN for your pregnancy , you can choose a certified nurse midwife for pregnancy care , or you may be able to see your primary care doctor.

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, some clinics may encourage you to see as many different people as possible throughout your pregnancy, including OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners. At many clinics, you also have the option to see the same person for every visit.