Planning
Congratulations! Being pregnant is such an exciting time of your life. The anticipation of meeting your new family member and also the changes to your life that lay ahead can be daunting, but planning is crucial and having a game plan going into your pregnancy will alleviate some of the stresses involved.
Like so many women before me, when I fell pregnant I was overjoyed but I was also nervous and worried for what lay ahead. I felt secure in the knowledge of having the guidance and experience of the generations of women before me, but I also needed to have a checklist of all the services, specialists and general dietary needs I had to incorporate moving forward. That list grows as time goes on, but lets make a start.
Below I have added my checklist, and I hope this helps you in creating your own. Generally speaking a lot of the tasks ahead don't vary from one pregnancy to the other, however keep in mind we all have specific needs and want to tailor our pregnancy that makes us feel safe, well taken care of and is in the best interest and health of our baby and ourselves.
Trying to Conceive Checklist
- Start taking prenatal vitamins
- Talk to relatives about your family medical history, including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders
- Get a preconception checkup
- Get a tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations
- See your dentist. Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, including gum disease and tooth decay. During pregnancy, hormones affect gums and teeth. Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and visiting your dentist will help keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible during pregnancy.
- If you’re self-employed, check in with your account to be sure your finances are in order and see what options are available to you.