First Trimester Checklist

• Schedule your first prenatal visit with your practitioner when you’re about nine weeks along. Plan on seeing your practitioner every four weeks.  I saw my GYN immediately after my positive Blood Test.  I then scheduled a meeting with my new OB for 2 weeks after that which would put me at 7 weeks.
• Avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. 
• If your immunizations are not up to date, let your practitioner know. I don’t remember the last time I was immunized!  
• Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day). 
• Stick to a diet naturally high in folic acid (oranges, melons and dark green vegetables). 
• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods (whole grains, beans, raisins and nuts). 
• Keep your blood sugar level elevated by eating lots of high-protein and high-carbohydrate foods such as breads, brown rice, potatoes and cheese. 
• As a general rule, avoid medication and consult with your doctor before taking any. 
• Get plenty of sleep, and try to nap if you feel tired during the day. I am actually really bad at this right now. I’m working on a deadline at work so I’m not really getting much rest at all.
• Exercise, but moderately. Don’t start a new exercise regimen when you’re pregnant, and be careful not to become overheated for prolonged periods. Also bad at this, probably because I am not getting enough rest to have energy levels for this. 
• If you’re a coffee drinker, cut back, switch to decaf or try herbal or decaffeinated tea. 
• If your family has a history of genetic disorders, you have a high risk pregnancyor simply desire it, consider prenatal testing. 
• Start budgeting for your new life with baby.
• Choose a place to give birth (hospital? birthing center? home?).
• Consider starting a pregnancy blog or diary and having someone take a picture of you (and your expanding belly) each month.
• Consider refraining from getting perms and other hair treatments involving heavy chemicals.
• Get smart — buy a few pregnancy books and dive in.