Congratulations, you’re pregnant!
The journey to motherhood is exciting and can also be daunting. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your first one in a while, you may be wondering what to do after finding out you’re pregnant.
Don’t worry. Our South Denver OB/GYNs are here to help. Here’s our advice on what to do after finding out you’re pregnant in eight steps to simplify.
8 Steps to Take for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Take a Deep Breath
Learning that you are expecting can bring a range of emotions from excited to anxious to joyful and even a bit scared.
“I’ve heard it all and it’s all normal,” says Dr. Jessica Salinas, MD. “Take a deep breath and acknowledge how you feel — whatever it is that you feel.”
Know that no matter what, you have support at every step of the way with AHMG OB/GYN at Littleton, formerly CHPG Women’s Health.
- Track Your Symptoms
Your body will go through many changes during your pregnancy, and you might have some symptoms that pop up from time to time. From morning sickness to back pain and many others in between, it’s important to keep track of your symptoms and discuss them with your Littleton OB/GYN to make sure that they fall within the normal range of a healthy pregnancy. The midwife or obstetrician you choose can also make recommendations on how to ease uncomfortable symptoms. Our patients appreciate that we offer a nurse line that you can call 24/7 with any questions.
- Connect With Your OB/GYN
“Call your OB/GYN” should be near the top of your list of what to do after finding out you’re pregnant. It’s important to let your OB/GYN know you’re expecting as soon as possible so he or she can adjust your current medications and recommend any necessary lifestyle changes. For some women, they may want to work with a midwife to provide prenatal care. If you’re a patient at our Littleton OB/GYN practice, you have that option without having to find a new practice because we have midwives on our team.
Establishing yourself with a prenatal provider who will guide you through from expecting to motherhood is a critical step in your life journey. You can trust our whole-person obstetrics experts at AHMG OB/GYN at Littleton to deliver the best possible care.
- Know Your Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is an important indicator of whole health. If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy and it’s not treated, it can lead to complications for both a mother and her baby, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, pregnancy induction and placental abruption. Untreated high blood pressure can also affect the mother’s blood vessels and reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The good news is that much of this can be prevented with routine blood pressure screenings and treatment to manage it, if necessary.
- Focus on Your Nutrition
You’re eating to feed two. So, it’s important to get adequate nutrition for both you and your developing baby’s whole health. Here’s what to do nutrition-wise after finding out you’re pregnant.
- Talk to your doctor about what vitamins are best for you. In general, prenatal vitamins with DHA are commonly recommended
- Eat a balanced diet, avoiding foods that could be harmful to your baby, such as unpasteurized dairy and juices, certain seafood, undercooked meat and too much caffeine. See our “Can pregnant Women Eat Salmon?”[1] blog to learn more about what foods to eat and what to avoid during pregnancy
- Be aware of what over-the-counter medications are considered safe during pregnancy and be cautious about anything not approved by your doctor
- Get Your Rest
Topping your list of priorities should be getting proper rest. Pregnancy can make you feel fatigued, especially in the early weeks. When it comes to what to do after finding out you’re pregnant, be sure to listen to your body and get the rest you need. Take naps. Sleep in. Go to bed early. Do what you must do to nurture your whole health throughout your pregnancy.
- Stay Active
Exercise can be a great way to stay healthy and strong during your pregnancy — and can even help with feeling tired. Just don’t overdo it. Talk to your doctor about what is recommended for you. In most cases, after finding out you’re pregnant, you’ll be able to continue to do the activities you love, such as hiking and yoga. But you’ll need to swap potentially hazardous activities like mountain biking for the stationary version for the time being.
- Know What to Expect
The first round of tests and screenings for newly pregnant mothers is all about making sure you’re healthy and to find out if any special considerations will need to be taken during your pregnancy.
Some of the tests your prenatal provider may order after learning you’re pregnant include:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screening: A standard range of tests is performed to ensure you’re not carrying any infectious diseases that you could pass on to your baby
- Pelvic exam and Pap smear: This is just like your annual exam where your doctor will be looking for any signs of cervical cancer or anything else out of the ordinary
- A1C test for diabetes: Diabetes can complicate a pregnancy and may even develop later in pregnancy, so it’s important for your doctor to know what your glucose levels are
- Urine culture: The urine culture screening is used to ensure that you don’t currently have a urinary tract infection that would need to be treated immediately
- Blood type: A blood test is run to determine your blood type. Those with Rh-negative blood (O-, A-, B-, etc.) can be at risk for bleeding later in pregnancy and may require medication to treat it.
- Ultrasound: Most women can expect to have two ultrasounds during their pregnancy. The first typically takes place between five and 14 weeks. The second is generally between 18 and 22 weeks and may be able to indicate the sex of your baby
Let Us Guide You
We believe in the well-being of you and your baby from pregnancy to birth and beyond. As your lifelong partner in whole health, we’re committed to helping you know what to do after finding out you’re pregnant all the way through delivery and beyond. Learn more about the women’s health and family planning services we offer in South Denver to help you prepare to welcome your new family member into the world.
