Every pregnancy is specific, but all first-time moms-to-be out there share one thing - they overthink! And how not, you might ask, when our bodies and lives are soon about to change like never before? You already know that all fears and anxieties come from a lack of experience, which is easily solved. How? With some kind pieces of advice, cordial and professional support, and one detailed pregnancy checklist.

It is much easier to track fetal development if the pregnancy is divided into three stages. It's also because each stage is marked by characteristic developments in the fetus and a woman's body. Hence, each group of changes corresponds to a trimester.
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• First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks)
• Second Trimester (14 to 26 Weeks)
• Third Trimester (27 to 40 Weeks)

At the end of the third trimester, at 36+ weeks, a pregnancy is considered full-term. It means that babies born before week 36 are considered premature and may need to spend additional time in an incubator to grow and fully develop.

A pregnancy checklist is designed to help a future mom find herself in the coordinate system of pregnancy and help her focus on tasks vital for her and the baby.

Also, it is paramount to note that a checklist is only a reminder, and it should be regarded as such. There's no alternative to regular checkups and tests. Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and only a dedicated physician can give you guidance explicitly designed for you.

Nutritious food, light exercise, and sufficient water and sleep are the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle that become vital in pregnancy. Forget about smoking and alcohol, and consult your physician if you take any therapy. Find some books on pregnancy and preparation for childbirth, as learning how to prepare mentally and emotionally is critical.

Trimester 1. Month 1.

1. Schedule an appointment with your OBGYN/Midwife and confirm your pregnancy.
2. Double-check what prenatal care your insurance plan covers.
3. Keep a diary of symptoms and feelings. It will help you remember everything at the next checkup.
4. Consult your physician about your diet, any supplements you might need, such as folic acid, and exercise.
5. If you plan to lead an active life in pregnancy and work out, know what you can do safely and what you should avoid. Pelvic floor exercises are most welcome.
6. Do your best to rest as much as possible. Learn how to breathe, relax, meditate and get as much healthy sleep as possible.
7. This is when morning sickness is usually the strongest, so battle it by eating small, frequent meals to make sure you don't go overboard.

Trimester 1. Month 2.

1. It is time to schedule prenatal tests. Usually, tests are made between weeks 10 and 20, so consulting your doctor and scheduling well in advance will help you keep your peace of mind.
2. It's never too early to start readying your budget for when the baby comes, so why not start saving now? Perhaps you should also create a savings account for your child's education or future expenses.
3. Don't forget to put time with your partner on a pregnancy checklist and enjoy it while it's still uncomplicated.
4. Do some research and decide where you want to give birth. Should it be in a hospital, local birth center, or your home?

​Trimester 1. Month 3.

1. At this point, it is possible to learn the sex of the baby, and you and your partner should decide if you'd rather find out sooner or later.
2. Check your company's policy on maternity leave so you can make plans on time and prepare.
3. Pregnancy hormones can temporarily make your teeth loose and cause gingivitis, so make an appointment with a dentist.
4. If you prefer to hire the help of a doula, check their availability and schedule on time.
5. Pro: your breasts have likely increased in size. Con: they are also very tender. It's time to find a comfy but fitting bra!

​Trimester 3. Month 7.

1. Prepare and talk about your birth plan with your doula or OBGYN/Midwife and make your wishes known.
2. Send invites for your baby shower if you're hosting it, and share your baby registry with invitees.
3. Prepare maternity clothes for the last three months and a change of seasons.

​Trimester 3. Month 8.

1. Have fun at your baby shower!
2. Wash the baby clothes and sheets, both new and borrowed, in newborn-friendly laundry detergent.
3. Free some space in your freezer and store cooked meals for after childbirth. You'll thank yourself later.
4. Install a baby car seat and prepare your car for the new passenger!

Trimester 3. Month 9. 
*If there is a risk that you may deliver early, consider checking these off in month 7 or 8.*

1. If you plan to give birth in a hospital, pre-register.
2. Prepare and pack a bag for the hospital.
3. If you have pets or kids, someone will have to care for them when you go into labor. If your family can't hop in, arrange for a pet or babysitter.

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Finally, relax! It's all set. If you consult your pregnancy checklist, physician, doula, and everybody who works in your and your baby's best interest, you're on the path to a more informed and calmer pregnancy. Support and care are what you need and what you deserve!

A new baby in the home changes the entire dynamic of your household and learning to manage remote work with a newborn or baby can be quite the challenge to even experienced parents. Take steps to ensure the experience is a positive one for everyone involved. Use these tips to help succeed with both your baby and your job as you learn to navigate this new world.

​Humans of all ages benefit from a schedule and when you have a newborn, you have a unique opportunity to establish one that can work for you both. Things like feeding times, naps, and diaper changes should be scheduled and you should do your best to arrange your work schedule around your baby’s needs. If possible, arrange for more intensive work times when your baby is napping or after they have nursed when they are most content. Pay attention to when they seem to have the most need of you throughout the day and do your best to schedule the least demanding work responsibilities during those periods.
 
Understand that even with the perfect schedule, parenthood is unpredictable, and there will inevitably be times when you have to rearrange things to care for your baby. Go easy on yourself when this happens. It is a natural part of life and you are doing your best.

​During the times when your baby isn’t feeding and sleeping, plan activities that are engaging but require minimal supervision such as time in their bouncer, their activity mat, or other stationary play stations. Consider wearing your baby while you work when possible in a wrap or baby carrier so that they are still close to you and you can keep an eye on them.

Caring for a baby is deeply rewarding, but even without a job to distract you, it is a lot of hard work. It’s easy to feel like you have to do everything on your own or else you are a bad parent, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Humans are community creatures and historically, new parents have had any number of people to rely on to help them raise their babies.
 
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it from your support system and trained professionals. According to Mental Health First Aid, not only is it important for your mental health to feel supported, but it is also good for your baby to learn they have a group of people they can depend on for love, care, and attention.
 
Additionally, don’t take on too much at work. Now is not the time to be taking on extra tasks. Learn to say no to extra hours and more responsibilities. You have enough on your plate.

If your job is overwhelming you or you no longer feel it is the right fit now that you have a baby in the home, consider a career change. With degrees available online in almost every industry and many that span multiple sectors, there’s no reason you can’t go back to school from the comfort of your home to make it easier for you to find something that works for both you and your family.
 
You are capable of rising to the challenge before you. Prepare when you can, ask for help as you need it and make changes as you need to. Both you and your baby will be grateful for it.

If you are planning a move while pregnant, you want to ensure that you have coordinated as much as possible in advance. If you have children who can help, it will actually make it better for you and them. Involving them in the process helps everyone be less stressed. Love In Motion Doula Services shares some tips on how to navigate the moving process when you’re expecting:

• When it’s time to move, pack your children’s room last and unpack it first in the new home.

• Stick to the old meal and bedtime routines throughout the move to give your kids a sense of familiarity.
• Hire furniture moving services - you will thank yourself and you’ll have more time to help your children. 
• Include your kids in some decisions, such as decorations, new plates, which new park to visit first.
• Find child and pet care for moving day to alleviate stress. 
• Prepare your kids mentally but be prepared for anxiety - adjusting can take up to 6 months.
• Get them pumped about their new school by taking a tour or even walking or driving by. 
• Help them create a memory book of the old house, school, neighborhood, friends, babysitter.
• Remember to practice self-care so that you’re on top of your game for your children.
• Try the stress management tips from ZenBusiness to help yourself stay grounded during this major transition.
• Whether it’s a comfortable new sports bra or your favorite jogging pants, make sure you wear easy clothes during and after your move.

For most people, moving is a very stressful and time-consuming activity.  For people with small children, the stress is even greater, and for people who are expecting and already have small children, moving can be so stressful that it may seem like an impossible task.  However, a little bit of preparation and a lot of patience can make getting through the experience a lot easier.

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Article written by Daniel Sherwin dsherwin@dadsolo.com DadSolo.com

Going into the pregnancy as healthy as possible can reduce complications and make the pregnancy easier. You don't need expensive prenatal exercise classes to stay healthy. Simply walking or swimming on your own is effective.

Prenatal exercise benefits include less back pain, decreased constipation, better sleep, and shortened labor, according to Mayo Clinic. Check with your prenatal care provider to ensure exercise is safe for your situation.

Check on prenatal vitamins from different sources. You can get prescription or over-the-counter prenatals, so compare the costs to find the cheapest option.