Pregnancy

  
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 1-8
  1. Take a pregnancy test
  2. Tell your partner the good news
  3. Find an obstetrician. Discuss with your GP or close family and friends who have just conceived for recommendations. 
  4. Schedule your first prenatal checkup
  5. Check your health insurance policy to see what prenatal and childbirth care is covered
  6. Create a savings plan for your child’s future expenses and education if you’re able to at this stage.
  7. Estimate how much raising a baby will cost and start saving accordingly. MoneySmart.gov has a helpful resource. 
  8. Go to your first prenatal checkup (right around week 8)
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 8-12
  1. Talk to your doctor about any prenatal testing you should (or want) to get
  2. Consider doing a First Trimester Screening to determine the risk of any chromosomal abnormalities in baby (between weeks 11 and 14)
  3. Complete your nuchal translucency screening (between weeks 10 and 12)
  4. Go to your next doctor’s appointment
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 12-16
  1. If you haven’t already, get into a healthy pregnancy workout routine. Light physical activities that you’re comfortable doing will keep you fit and are a great psychological help. Sign up to a group or YouTube some light at home workouts.
  2. Now is a great time announce your pregnancy to family and friends
  3. Tell your boss or employees about your pregnancy
  4. Start planning your maternity leave
  5. Go to your doctor’s visit
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 16-20
  1. Start to think about the baby’s nursery. It’s a great time now to get planning and purchasing of furnishings and items needed for the baby’s room. Remember this is also a place where you and baby will be bonding.
  2. Get started on your baby registry. The retailer is totally up to you.
  3. If it’s relevant to you, start to research childcare options in your area.
  4. Begin buying maternity clothes
  5. Go to your doctor’s appointment
  6. Have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around week 20)
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 20-24
  1. Start interviewing pediatricians
  2. Research and sign up for childbirth classes
  3. Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.)
  4. Go to your doctor’s visit
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 24-28
  1. Finalize your baby registry
  2. If hosting, send out baby shower invites
  3. Update or write your will, including directions for baby’s inheritance and guardianship; you can even complete it online
  4. Consider life insurance; companies like Finder can make it hassle-free
  5. Go to your doctor’s visit
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 28-32
  1. Babyproof the house
  2. Start fetal kick counts
  3. Create a birth plan
  4. Round out your pregnancy wardrobe with third trimester clothes
  5. It’s at this stage you get to enjoy your baby shower event!
  6. Send baby shower thank you notes for gifts (start one week after your shower)
  7. Take a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class, if you so choose
  8. If you want to bank baby’s cord blood, figure out where and order your kit
  9. Go to your doctor’s visits (two this month)
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 32-36
  1. Buy any baby items you still need
  2. Prepare a baby first aid kit
  3. Finish painting and designing the nursery. Lets aim to have it done by now
  4. Install baby’s car seat and get it inspected
  5. Pack your hospital bag. Clothes, toiletries and other items you will need. remember you will only need to pack for 24-48 hours…so keep the luggage set at home.
  6. Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns and talk to your doctor about any additional tests you’d like to run
  7. Go to your doctor’s visits (two this month).
 
Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 36 Until Delivery
  1. Wash baby’s clothes with newborn laundry detergent. 
  2. Go to your doctor’s visits (weekly until delivery)