Pregnancy Checklist

Congratulations! Now take a look through this pregnancy checklist to help you through the different trimesters. From trying to conceive to the first trimester to labor. Learn what to expect during pregnancy and prepare for your new arrival!

Pre-Pregnancy Checklist

• 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.
• Investigate health insurance.
• If self employed, apply for a private disability policy.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Cut down on caffeine.
• Make sure your activities are pregnancy-safe.
• Start avoiding hazardous foods.
• Do your best to eat well.

Weeks 1-8

• Take pregnancy test.
• Tell your partner the good news.
• Find an OB/GYN.
• Schedule prenatal checkup.
• Research insurance — how does it deal with pregnancy and children?
• Make sure partner has short and long term disability.
• Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect finances.
• Create a savings plan for your child’s future expenses.
• Make a baby budget to start saving now.
• First prenatal checkup (week 4-8).
• Start a baby name list.

Weeks 8-12

• Start buying maternity clothes.
• Chorionic villus sampling.
• Nuchal translucency screening (week 10-12).
• Chromosomal disorder screening (week 10-14).
• Doctor visit

Weeks 12-16

• Start planning maternity leave and postpartum work schedule.
• Tell boss about pregnancy.
• Doctor visit.
• Milestone: Tell friends and family?

Weeks 16-20

• Start planning nursery.
• Look into childcare options.
• Doctor visit.
• Standard mid-pregnancy ultrasound.
• Amniocentesis and triple screen (week 15-18).
• Milestone: Find out baby’s gender?
• Milestone: Hear baby’s heartbeat with stethoscope?
• Milestone: First baby kick?
• Milestone: Belly starting to show?

Weeks 20-24

• Start pediatrician interviews.
• Research and sign up for childbirth classes.
• Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.).
• If banking cord blood, figure out where and order kit.
• Doctor visit.

Weeks 24-28

• Update or write will, including directions for child’s inheritance and guardianship.
• Purchase life insurance.
• Update 401K and retirement account beneficiaries.
• If using doula, start interviews.
• Start childcare interviews.
• Send out shower invites.
• Register for shower gifts.
• Doctor visit.

Weeks 28-32

• Babyproof house.
• Start fetal kick counts.
• Prepare birth plan.
• Baby shower.
• Send thank-you notes for gifts (start one week after shower).
• Cook and freeze meals for after delivery.
• Start childbirth class.
• Doctor visits (two this month).
• Milestone: Others feel baby move?

Weeks 32-36

• 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.
• Get car seat inspected.
• Pack hospital bag.
• Contact local cord blood bank if interested in donating.
• Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns.
• Speak with doctor about any additional tests you’d like run.
• Doctor visits (two this month).
• Group B strep test (week 35-37).
• Milestone: Last day of work.
• Milestone: Last week to fly safely (week 35).

Weeks 36-delivery

• Doctor visits (weekly until delivery).
• Non-stress test.
• Biophysical profile.

Month 1 Post-Pregnancy Checklist

• Hepatitis B #1 (birth-two months).
• Pediatrician visit (week 2-4).

Month 2 Post-Pregnancy Checklist

• Baby old enough to be accepted at some daycares (week 6).
• Meet with manager to discuss work hours and return to projects.
• Hepatitis B #2 (month 1-4).
• Milestone: First day back at work.

Month 3 Post-Pregnancy Checklist

• Paediatrician visit.
• DtaP, Hib, polio, PCV and rotovirus vaccines.
• Milestone: First smile!!