Your Pregnancy Checklist
This handy month-by-month pregnancy guide takes you through every stage of the journey, from TTC to your beautiful newborn baby.
Quicklinks: TTC | Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 | Month 4 | Month 5 | Month 6 | Month 7 | Month 8 | Month 9
TTC (Trying to Conceive)
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- See the dentist.
- Preconception checkup.
- Get tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations.
- Talk to relatives about family medical history including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders.
- Start taking prenatal vitamins.
MONTH 1
- Time to share the good news with your partner!
- Choose a prenatal caregiver (obstetrician, family physician, or midwife).
- Schedule your first prenatal appointment.
- If you aren’t already, begin taking folic acid each day.
- Figure out your due date.
- Research your health insurance – how does it deal with pregnancy and children?
- Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect finances.
- Get to know the basics of fetal development.
- Start eating a healthy and nutritious prenatal diet.
- Stop smoking, drinking and cut back on caffeine.
- Know what’s safe and what isn’t during pregnancy.
- Begin a pregnancy journal.
- Connect with other women who are due the same month you are.
- Create a savings plan for your child’s future.
- Make a budget to start saving now.
- Start keeping track of name ideas for baby.
MONTH 2
- Prenatal visit.
- Find out which prenatal tests you may need.
- Learn what to expect during weeks 5-8.
- Do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles.
- Know your optimal pregnancy weight range.
- Expect gas, the urge to urinate, and other uncomfortable early pregnancy symptoms.
- Take steps to minimize your morning sickness.
- Involve your partner in your pregnancy.
MONTH 3
- Prenatal visit.
- Milestone: Tell friends and family.
- Time to tell your employer and update yourself on your company’s maternity leave policy.
- Is your bra suddenly uncomfortable? Learn about pregnancy breast changes, and shop for a new bra.
- Start a safe prenatal exercise routine.
- Speak with your doctor about getting the flu shot.
- Know what to expect from early screening tests.
- Find out if you’re having twins (and if you are, plan accordingly).
- Schedule a prenatal massage.
- Manage pregnancy mood swings.
- Stay hydrated. Get your new water intake quota.
- Moisturize and pamper your pregnancy skin.
- Take baby’s first picture - the ultrasound (weeks 6-8).
MONTH 4
- Prenatal visit.
- Amniocentesis and triple screen (weeks 15-18).
- Milestone: Find out baby’s gender or let it be a surprise.
- Milestone: Hear baby’s heartbeat with stethoscope.
- Milestone: First baby kick.
- Milestone: Belly starting to show.
- Revise your budget to make room for baby.
- Start planning nursery.
- Start shopping for maternity clothes.
- Have a heart-to-heart about pregnancy and parenthood with your partner.
- Sign up for childbirth classes – slots may fill up fast.
- Want to get away? Plan a babymoon!
- Find a sleep setup that’s comfortable.
- If your blood type is Rh negative, it’s time to ask your doctor about a RhoGam shot.
- Take pictures of your growing belly.
- Look into parenting classes for the new mom and dad.
MONTH 5
- Prenatal visit.
- Start pediatrician interviews.
- Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.)
- Find out what to expect during weeks 17-20 of pregnancy.
- Figure out how much childcare you’ll need, and start researching your options.
- Is baby moving? Know what to expect from baby’s kicks!
- Prepare for your group B strep test.
- Tired of nosy questions from strangers and friends? Master the art of the clever comeback!
- Take steps to minimize pregnancy brain.
MONTH 6
- Prenatal visit.
- Update or write will, including directions for child’s inheritance and guardianship.
- Purchase life insurance.
- Update 401K and retirement account beneficiaries.
- If using a doula, start interviews.
- Register for baby shower gifts.
- Send out baby shower invites.
- Check your vision. Pregnancy vision changes are common, and can be a sign of complications.
- Know how to manage varicose veins.
- Get comfortable with your rapidly changing body and boost your self-esteem.
- Take a time-out to pamper yourself!
- Time to start preparing your nursery.
- Tend to pregnancy backaches.
MONTH 7
- Prenatal visits (two this month).
- Babyproof house.
- Start fetal kick counts.
- Baby shower.
- Send thank-you notes for gifts (start one week after shower).
- Cook and freeze meals for after delivery.
- Sleep in the position most comfortable for you, but preferably not on your back.
- Start childbirth class.
- Do you want a doula? If yes, find one now.
- Develop your birth plan.
- Make sure you know the signs of premature labor.
- Decide who will be in the delivery room with you.
- Care for painful pregnancy hemorrhoids.
- Buy your baby’s crib and mattress.
- Time to get your stroller.
- Get tested for gestational diabetes.
- Learn what your belly’s size says about your baby.
MONTH 8
- Prenatal visits (two this month).
- Buy any baby items still needed.
- Prepare all baby first aid and emergency items.
- Print and fill out emergency sheets.
- Get a low-maintenance haircut.
- Finish painting nursery.
- Shop for and learn how to install baby’s car seat.
- Start researching breastfeeding. Ask if your doctor or pediatrician’s office has a lactation consultant.
- Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns.
- For tender breasts, try a more supportive bra and avoid harsh soaps.
- To ease back pain, wear low-heeled shoes and sit in chairs with good back support.
- Speak with doctor about any additional tests you’d like run.
- Group B strep test (weeks 35-37).
- Milestone: Last day of work.
- Milestone: Last week to fly safely (week 35).
- Expecting a boy? Study up on circumcision, and make sure you and your partner are on the same page.
- Put your feet up – they are working extra hard these days!
- Buy a diaper bag, and stock up on diapering essentials.
- Buy a high chair.
- Shop for a nursing bra.
- Attend your childbirth class.
- Build your email/phone list for sharing the birth of your baby!
MONTH 9
- Prenatal visits to obstetrician or nurse-midwife (weekly until delivery).
- Non-stress test.
- Get a biophysical profile.
- Study up on newborn vaccines, and find out what’s best for your baby.
- Talk to your doctor about baby’s position and how it may impact childbirth.
- Finalize your baby name selections.
- Pick out your baby announcements and thank you notes. (And address those envelopes now – time will be at a premium soon.)
- Figure out how you feel about inducing labor. Learn the pros and cons.
- Buy a baby sling or baby carrier.
- Know your contractions. Recognize the differences between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor.
- Prepare yourself for labor and delivery.
- Wash and put away your baby’s new clothes.
- Prepare for the weeks after you give birth.
- Pack your bag – your baby will be here soon!
- Be excited about all you have accomplished.
- Relax and enjoy the last days before delivery!