Finding out you are pregnant is an exciting time. There will be a lot of changes over the next few weeks and months. Here are some top tips for the first trimester...
GP visit
You have taken a home pregnancy test and it is positive. Now is the time to visit your doctor to get official confirmation, put you in touch with the local midwife team and give you any pregnancy information you might at this stage.
Your doctor will also work out your expected due date, although there are online calculators to help you do this too.
Folic acid
If you haven't already started taking folic acid while trying, start now. The advice is to take 400 micrograms daily throughout your first trimester.
Changes to your body
Morning sickness can be at its most intense during the first trimester, although some women can experience it throughout the whole pregnancy. Eating small meals regularly can help, such as biscuits, toast or bananas. Ginger is meant to help alleviate feelings of nausea, as is sparkling water. Some women experience intense food cravings and a sharper sense of smell so that they can't stand the food that they would happily munch away at before the pregnancy.
While stretch marks can be an inevitable result of being pregnant, they can be helped by moisturising so start preparing your skin now before the bump really begins to grow.
Most noticeably, you will probably start to feel extremely tired during these early stages. Your body is working hard so if possible, rest as much as you can during the first trimester. Try to put your feet up several times a day to prevent swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.
Stay healthy
It is important to eat healthily and drink lots of water (eight glasses a day ideally) during your pregnancy and particularly in the first trimester when your baby is forming all its vital organs.
Avoid junk food and make sure you are getting those five a day. Soups and smoothies are a great way to achieve this so get blending. Keep exercising to help your body cope with the strains of pregnancy and giving birth, and to give you a better chance of losing your baby weight afterwards. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
Freebies
Your midwife will give you the forms to apply for a maternity exemption certificate entitling you to free prescriptions and dental care on the NHS.
Know your rights
Log online to read pregnancy information on your working rights, such as maternity leave and pay, child benefit and tax credits. There is a lot of support out there and it is important that you claim what you are entitled to.
Get connected
There is a wealth of help and support available on internet forums and pregnancy sites. Having a baby can be an emotional rollercoaster and it can help to know others are going through the same as you.
GP visit
You have taken a home pregnancy test and it is positive. Now is the time to visit your doctor to get official confirmation, put you in touch with the local midwife team and give you any pregnancy information you might at this stage.
Your doctor will also work out your expected due date, although there are online calculators to help you do this too.
Folic acid
If you haven't already started taking folic acid while trying, start now. The advice is to take 400 micrograms daily throughout your first trimester.
Changes to your body
Morning sickness can be at its most intense during the first trimester, although some women can experience it throughout the whole pregnancy. Eating small meals regularly can help, such as biscuits, toast or bananas. Ginger is meant to help alleviate feelings of nausea, as is sparkling water. Some women experience intense food cravings and a sharper sense of smell so that they can't stand the food that they would happily munch away at before the pregnancy.
While stretch marks can be an inevitable result of being pregnant, they can be helped by moisturising so start preparing your skin now before the bump really begins to grow.
Most noticeably, you will probably start to feel extremely tired during these early stages. Your body is working hard so if possible, rest as much as you can during the first trimester. Try to put your feet up several times a day to prevent swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.
Stay healthy
It is important to eat healthily and drink lots of water (eight glasses a day ideally) during your pregnancy and particularly in the first trimester when your baby is forming all its vital organs.
Avoid junk food and make sure you are getting those five a day. Soups and smoothies are a great way to achieve this so get blending. Keep exercising to help your body cope with the strains of pregnancy and giving birth, and to give you a better chance of losing your baby weight afterwards. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
Freebies
Your midwife will give you the forms to apply for a maternity exemption certificate entitling you to free prescriptions and dental care on the NHS.
Know your rights
Log online to read pregnancy information on your working rights, such as maternity leave and pay, child benefit and tax credits. There is a lot of support out there and it is important that you claim what you are entitled to.
Get connected
There is a wealth of help and support available on internet forums and pregnancy sites. Having a baby can be an emotional rollercoaster and it can help to know others are going through the same as you.