I'm pregnant! Now what?
There is an important lesson that I’ve learned over the last few years which started with myself: as first time mothers, none of us have any clue what we are doing! For those of us that were blessed with surprise miracles, finding out we are pregnant comes with a whole barrage of questions. Even those of us who planned to grow their families quickly realize that even if you’ve spent hours reading ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’, there is always a moment of “what in the world do I do next?” So, as someone who was very surprised to find out I was going to become a mother sooner than I had planned, and as someone who frequently answers the questions of first-time expecting mothers, I decided to attempt to answer the initial burning questions many women have when they first find out they are pregnant.
What do I do now?!
You’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test (maybe 2 or 3 just to be sure) and you definitely maybe are totally pregnant. What now? This depends on a few things, the most important being-what are you comfortable with? When my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we immediately began calling midwives and setting up interviews. We knew we wanted to birth with as little interventions as possible, so getting under the care of experienced midwives at a birthing center fit our wants and needs. I was low-risk, so I was able to continue my care and birth without ever seeing an OB-GYN. If you choose midwifery care, typically pre-natal visits begin at 12 weeks. Are you comfortable with waiting that long to start being seen? If not, you can do a combination of OB and midwifery care. Many mothers visit an OB-GYN to check HCG levels and do an ultrasound to see how everything is doing and then decide to proceed with midwifery care or a combination. One of the biggest things this gives you is peace of mind. Expect to ask yourself a million times per day if you’re still pregnant. This is normal!
How do I find the right provider for me?
To answer this question, you have to ask yourself a few more questions: What type of birth do you see yourself having? Where will you be the most comfortable birthing? Are you truly okay with delivering outside of a hospital, or will it cause stress between you and your partner? If you prefer a hospital delivery, what level of interventions are you comfortable with? These questions are important, because it tells you which type of provider to reach out to and begin your pre-natal care. Once you have decided what type of birth is best for you, you can begin to interview providers. You totally have the right to interview and ask as many questions as you possible can! You can find a list of the most important questions to ask your birth provider below.
What questions should I be asking my birth provider/birth team?
If you are primarily under the care of an OB-GYN, or a midwife in a hospital setting, you’ll want to ask the following : What is your C-section rate? Do you support me if I say I don’t want an epidural or interventions? What can I expect during my labor and delivery? What happens if I go over my due date? How long will you let me go over my due date before you recommend I get induced? How many OB-GYNs are on-call and if I choose you as my provider, what is the likelihood I will have someone else delivering my baby? Do you delay cord clamping? Do you promote skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth? What support can I receive if I want to breastfeed? If I am Group-B Strep negative, do you still require an IV during labor? How long will you let me labor after my water breaks before a C-section will be recommended? Are you willing to accommodate my birth plan to the best of your ability?
If you are primarily under the care of a midwife in either a home birth or birthing center setting, you’ll want to ask all of the questions above, as well as: what is your transfer rate? What happens if there is a complication in my pregnancy or birth? Do you have additional support staff (like doulas) that may be available to attend my birth? Do you have good rapport with OBs at the nearest hospital if I need to transfer? How many births do you accept per month? What is the process if I become high risk during pregnancy?
The most important thing when choosing a birth provider is that you want to feel seen and heard. You want to feel like your birth team has your back no matter what!
What supplements should I be on when I become pregnant?
This really depends on your diet, activity level, and health going into pregnancy. Typically less is more when it comes to pregnancy. I usually have women go down to (or begin) a quality prenatal, probiotic, fish oil, vitamin D. These supplements will provide your body with extra nutrients it requires to grow another human! Remember, the baby will attempt get what it needs often at the expense of your own nutrient stores. It is hugely important to make sure you are eating whole foods which give you all the vitamins, minerals, and energy everybody needs to be healthy. Never start a supplement without first consulting your doctor or midwife to ensure it’s safety.
Should I continue to exercise?
For the first trimester, it is typically acceptable to resume your normal exercise routine. You may feel tired and find yourself wanting to rest more days. This is perfectly fine! Listen to your body and give it what it needs. It’s important to stay active during pregnancy, but sometimes that means taking a walk or taking a calming yoga class instead of lifting heavy weights. Always ask your birth provider about specific exercise questions you have. You will need to change and accommodate what you are able to do with a growing belly. Always try to get in some type of movement every day! This will help your body stay strong and resilient, which leads to a smoother labor and delivery.
These 5 are the most common I hear in the first few weeks of pregnancy, but I know there at a million more! Feel free to drop a comment or email me with any additional questions. I’m happy to either attempt to answer it myself or direct you in the right place! Remember that you ALWAYS have a choice during pregnancy and birth. It is important to find a birth team you trust so that you feel comfortable taking their recommendations for your safety as well as speaking up when you have a concern or something isn’t meeting your needs. Your opinions matter. Your wants and needs matter. YOU, momma…You matter!