I am pregnant! What is the next step?

So you have just discovered that you are pregnant. Congratulations! Whether it was long awaited or an incredible surprise, its normal to have what feels like a thousand feelings all at once. And you may feel a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what happens next. But take a deep breath and just take baby steps (pun intended)! This article will take you through the general process of what happens early on. So you can hopefully feel more confident moving forward in your pregnancy journey.

First things first

Calculate your due date

A good first step is to calculate the due date so it gives you a good timeline. This is usually 40 weeks from the start of your last menstrual cycle. Here is an online calculator to help you. But don't worry if you aren't 100% sure, you will go through this with your midwife as well.

Initial bits to plan

Contacting your GP

First of all, it is important to contact your GP and find a suitable doctor or midwife. They will help you answer the endless list of questions you are bound to have. Here it is important that you have a good relationship and feel comfortable with them. Depending on where you are in the world, they will be with you throughout most of your pregnancy. So it's important to have good communication and get along!

What can you eat, drink and do during pregnancy?

A lot of people struggle with nausea and other symptoms during the first trimester. So it makes sense if you don't want to work out or eat especially healthy. Do what you feel is the best for you and rest as much as you need. Growing a baby is already a full time job, you can afford to indulge yourself when you need too.

However, if you are up to it, eating a balanced diet and getting some exercise will give you energy and make you feel better. While it can be difficult to think about moving while feeling exhausted and sick, it will help both of you if you can. Regarding foods, your incredible body already gives the baby everything it needs before itself. So do not worry if the only thing you can eat for a while is toast with butter and yoghurt, your little one will be fine.

The recommendations of what you can eat and drink vary from country to country, but most experts agree that you should avoid the following:

• Raw and undercooked meat

• High-mercury fish and raw fish

• Raw eggs

• Avoid consuming too much caffeine (Maximum 2-3 cups of coffee per day)

• Alcohol

• Tobacco

• Unpasteurized milk, cheese and fruit juice

When should I announce my pregnancy?

The short answer, whenever you want! Usually people announce their pregnancy after the first trimester. However, it is totally up to you. Maybe you want to keep it a secret with your loved ones or you want the whole world to know straight away. Pregnancy should be an empowering experience, and a part of that is taking control of important decisions and trusting your instincts. So you do you, whatever that looks like!

Treating the early pregnancy symptoms

The most well known pregnancy symptom is nausea. And there are several natural ways you can try to help manage your pregnancy nausea:

• Eat something before getting out of bed in the morning. A banana or some crackers are usually great options.

• Eat smaller portions but more often. If you start feeling nauseous eat something to get your blood sugar up.

• Drink sparkling water, it usually helps the nausea.

• Try acupuncture or buy pressure point bracelets at your closest pharmacy.

• If you have any food aversions, eat what you can eat. Even if it is only toast, crackers or bananas. If you don't eat and get hungry, your nausea will just get worse.

If nothing works you should see if your doctor can recommend something to make you feel better. Always consult with your doctor to make sure it doesn't have a negative affect on you and your baby.

We hope this article has helped shed light on some of the earlier pregnancy experiences. And while we haven't covered everything, just know you are more than capable of handling whatever happens next. So from all of us at Najell we wish you every possible bit of luck for the rest of your pregnancy. And if you ever get overwhelmed trying to think of what happens next, remember to just take baby steps.