What To Do Next ? Need some Advice from Moms?

Question

I just got my BFP last week and have a dr's appt on 1/25. I am about 9/10 weeks. My question to you moms out there is what do I do next. It just seems like there's so much to think about and plan and organize and I don't have a clue on how to proceed. I just don't know what the logical steps are to make it through these 9 months. It would be great if I could jump right to picking out names and buying nursery furniture but I doubt it's ALL fun and games. So could someone please help me out and let me know what and when I should take care of in the 1st and 2nd trimesters? I would really appreciate the help as I feel like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to figure this out on my own. I am taking care of getting medicaid and I have my 1st appt already but now what...? Thank You for your help!

Answer 1

Congratulations to you! My advice is to just take it all slowly and do what you can. Everyone goes about the "nesting" tasks differently, but here are some suggestions:

1st trimester - take good care of yourself! This is usually the trimester you're not feeling so great, so be sure to schedule regular OB appointments and take your prenatal vitamins.
Do a little shopping for maternity clothes, but don't go overboard.
Make a list of all the things you WANT for your nursery, even if it seems over the top.
Most women keep their pregnancy secret until the second trimester, but if you want to tell people, go ahead. Invest in a good pregnancy book, or do an online search for informative pregnancy websites, like babycenter.com or pregnancy-info.net.
Now's a good time to start a pregnancy journal. You can get a free online one at www.babycrowd.com.

2nd trimester - aka "the honeymoon trimester." You'll feel your best during these 3 months, so this is the time you'll be able to get the most done. Start your registry, prep the nursery, and let the cat out of the bag, if you were keeping your pregnancy secret.
Also, if you are working, investigate the maternity leave policy for your company. Now's a good time to start interviewing child care places if you plan to go back to work after your baby is born.

3rd trimester - almost there!
Enroll in childcare/birthing classes at your hospital. Check with the Admissions area at the hospital and see if you can pre-pay. Check out policies and procedures for your insurance company for when the baby is born.
Make sure you have diapers, someplace for baby to sleep, some baby clothes, bottles, wipes, etc. (at least the food, clothing, and sleeping essentials.)
Pack your labor bag around month 8.
Put together a list of phone numbers to call to announce baby's birth. Maybe even establish a phone "tree," where each person is asked to call someone else on your list.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I applaud you for scheduling your doctor's appointments, because the most important thing you can do right now is take care of your health. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, don't take any medications without asking your doctor, and it's best to limit yourself to one beer or glass of wine a day. In the first two trimesters, try to get lots of sleep, walk or exercise as much as you can and don't sweat the small stuff. Think about your goals as a mother and buy some good books to read that will give you tips on good parenting. See if your doctor or hospital offers birthing classes and/or a movie on the birth process. If not, find ways to inform yourself (internet research) about just what childbirth will entail. The more informed you are, the less scared and tense you will be when the time comes. Don't listen to other women's horror stories and let them bring you down. Try to keep a happy, positive outlook about what lies ahead. Remember that you were designed by God to be good at giving birth.

I would suggest that you buy Dr. Spock's book on babies and child care, because even if you don't read it straight through, it's comforting to have it in the house for reference, especially if the baby is sick in the middle of the night and you're unsure what to do.

The last trimester will be time enough to worry about furniture, baby clothes, baby names, etc. By then you'll know the gender if you want to, so that will narrow down the name choices. It would be nice to ask other family members if there are any old family names that you might like to use.

Remember: a baby would be fine if he or she slept in a box, just wore diapers and just drank milk. The really important things are not the crib, the clothes or the fancy toys. The most important things are that you bond with your baby, figure out how to integrate him or her into your life in a balanced way and have an idea what your parenting philosophy will be. Good luck!

P.S. Saltines help if you have morning sickness.
P.P.S. In the first few weeks after the baby comes, take a nap whenever the baby does so you can make it through the sleepless nights.

Answer 3

OK so the first trimester just concentrate on you and eating healthy and get plenty of fluids. Actually I suggest that you try and drink twice as much water and you usually do. When I was pregnant i was very dehydrated. Wait to start buying furniture and clothes and all of that until the second and third trimesters. Just remember to enjoy the pregnancy and do not stress out over the little things. Ask for help when you need it that is very important throughout the pregnancy and definitely after the baby comes. Just rmember that when you are tired rest and with feeling like a chicken with your head cut off that is hormones and for some reason that will last throughout the pregancy

GOOD LUCK
VAL
email me pesonally @ valjordan1112@yahoo if you have any questions

Answer 4

Take care of yourself in the 1st trimester-- Make sure you are eating well and having lots of water!!!
Don't bother going out rushing to buy maternity clothes until you really do need them.
Try and do what you can in the second trimester before you get too big and tired. If you have a baby shower then you needn't worry too much about having to buy too many things for the baby.
If I were you I would't even bother decorating a nursery until after the baby is born- I mean, it is likely that you will have your baby in your own room for a few months to start off with so don't worry about their own room yet. (I'm only saying this because I did everything cream when I was in my 3rd trimester, and my baby is 3 months now and has never even slept in there yet as she is in a bedside crib next to me. I wish I had have waited til now to decorate because I have more energy and would have done a much better job!!!)- also the paint fumes are not good for you now either.
Another thing you could do is write a list of what you need for your hospital bag for you and baby, and buy one or two of the items with your grocery shopping eachweek. i.e pack of newborn nappies, toiletries for you, a few white baby gros, scratch mits, a hat, a blanket, nursing pads, maternity towels, nipple cream, etc etc!!!If you do this now then you should have your bag ready well in advance which will be one more thing off your mind.

Anyway, good luck and best wishes!! xx

Answer 5

just relax you are only in your first trimester take it easy, being pregnant is a time for you to try and save your energy for the baby and for when the baby is born cause your gonna need it! you've done all the right things so far....untill your first dr. appt you could buy some otc prenatals.......there is alot of fun being pregnant, the anticipation of having a baby is enough to make anyone ready to buy things for the baby. So go for it! have fun! There is a good book that tells you week by week how your baby is growing and it tells you what your body should be doing at that time, its very informative you can get it from your library or buy it at any bookstore its called "your pregnancy week by week" by; Glade B. Curtis, MD,OB/Gyn...good luck and congradulations!

Answer 6

First of all... RELAX

It doesn't have to be that complicated. You can start looking at baby names, but you'll probably change your mind a million times before your baby comes.
Work on purchasing items now... it's really expensive, so a little bit at a time is less overwhelming. Don't feel bad using hand-me-downs (clothes or furniture)... baby's grow so quickly that often used is perfectly fine.

Just concentrate on being happy and healthy, so that your little one will be too. Try to enjoy your pregnancy (the good and the bad)... write down everything because you forget everything once your baby is here... it's called "Mom brain"

Answer 7

There are so many books your can refer to that have a check list in them of all the things that you should do before the baby comes.

Talk to other mums and even research on the web for check lists.

Here is one I found http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/trimesterguide/l/blpregchecklis1.htm

Just read and read, educate yourself..it's normal to feel out of water. It's hard to plan for something when you don't even know what is going to happen. Your not the first person in this boat and will not be the last one either.

My best advice is to enjoy your pregnancy and get as much sleep as possible before the baby comes...you will see what I mean!

All the best

Answer 8

Get rest!! Plenty of it...try to avoid lifting. Drink til you don't think its possible to drink anymore. (water juice) As far as planning for the baby, just start buying things after you are about 12 weeks. Little things at a time, if you are planning a baby shower, do this around the 7th month...you can get a ton of stuff that way :-) Mainly all i did in the beginning was have nasuea so bad i couldnt stand it, and didnt think i would make it, and i slept!!! Just try to enjoy it! It is exciting. Get prenatals right away and enjoy! :-) Congrats!

Answer 9

My advice for the first trimester is just take it easy. Your body is going through so much right now and there is no need to stress over preparations. I did not start worrying about names or furniture, etc. until at least halfway through the pregnancy.

Answer 10

CALM DOWN FOR ONE THING, JUST TAKE THINGS 1 APT AT A TIME. YOU STILL HAVE AT LEAST 28 WKS TO WORRY ABOUT A NAME. IF YOUR WANTING TO START BUYING STUFF THEN I SUGGEST GETTING A GIFT CARD AND PUTTING MONEY ON IT FOR DIAPERS AND STUFF UNTIL YOU GET PAST THE POINT WHERE THERES A LESS LIKELY CHANCE OF YOU LOSING THE BABY, THEN START GETTING DIAPERS, BABY BED, WHAT YOU KNOW YOU WILL NEED. GOOD LUCK