The MUST DO’S When Expecting A Baby

I DREAMED of the day I would have the opportunity of announcing to the world, “I’M PREGNANT! For us, it took many years for this dream to come true so I was BEYOND ready to be pregnant. I WANTED to gain weight and to feel a baby inside of me. I WANTED to be sick and to feel miserable. I honestly remember saying, “I would do ANYTHING to be pregnant!” and I meant it! As many of you know, that kind of came true. I went through just about everything and anything to get pregnant – and the day the doctor called to tell me our round of IVF worked…changed my life forever. We kept the message Dr. Shapiro left on my voicemail actually. You can listen to it here on the video down on Must Do #4. When I heard his voice utter the words, “Congratulations!” Tears filled my eyes immediately. I was going to be a mom!

So, you are pregnant!! Congratulations!! Seriously, you are about to enter into the most fulfilling calling and job us, women, can ever have on this earth – motherhood! It is incredible and I am SO excited for you!! To help you get started I have come up with a list of 10 MUST DO’S When Expecting A Baby. A free printable check-list is at the bottom of the article that you can print out and check things off as you do them. I am a super visual person, so I hope it helps you like it helped me!

1. TELL YOUR HUSBAND IN A CREATIVE WAY: You don’t HAVE to be creative – but I think it is SO fun to be!! There are TONS of fun and exciting ways to tell your husband that he is going to be a dad!! In fact check out this list of ideas on how women told their husband’s the big news! I wanted to make my announcement special for my husband, so I made a menu all about BABIES that Tyson was able to order from. We had baby back ribs, baby peas and carrots and apple juice in bottles. It didn’t take him long to know what I was telling him. It was a dream come true for us and we honestly were the happiest people alive!

2. TAKE WEEKLY PICTURES OF YOUR GROWING BUMP: You have a baby INSIDE of you! It is a miracle and really amazing that our bodies know how to do such a thing! DOCUMENT. DOCUMENT. DOCUMENT. Take pictures each week and write down how you are feeling and how baby is doing! These moments are so precious, so by taking pictures and keeping a journal, you will be able to remember it so much better! It is so fun to see a cute belly growing!

3. GET BOOKS AND BROWSE THE INTERNET: You can never do too much research! Educate yourself and be prepared for what is to come. I loved reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Baby Wise.There are also a lot of fun apps out there that can track your pregnancy and tell you how much your baby weighs and how their development is going. I felt so connected to Laila while she was in the womb because I knew every little thing she was up to.

4. ANNOUNCE IT TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: This is one of the funnest parts!! Get creative and have fun! Check out Pinterest for unique ideas and go for it! One thing I do suggest is waiting a few weeks before you announce it. Normally after the first trimester is perfect – so around 12 weeks! We made this special video to announce we were pregnant. You can also check out this awesome DIY Stop-Motion video!

Miracles Do Happen from Tyson Davis on Vimeo.

5. GET COMFORTABLE: I don’t know why, but I had a hard time with this one! I wanted to stay in my pre-pregnancy clothes for as long as possible, but let me tell you – once I switched over to maternity clothes, I never wanted to go back! Talk about comfortable to the max! Seriously. Don’t be afraid to make the hop into maternity clothes. There are some SUPER cute stores!! I love Target and H&M for Maternity! Maxi skirts, yoga pants and leggings are always cute and comfy! You are going to be pregnant for 40 weeks – so make yourself comfortable, ladies!

6. FIND A GOOD DOCTOR: I can not even express how important this is. To find a good doctor that you trust is one of the most important things in a pregnancy. I had a lot of complications getting pregnant and a lot of complications staying pregnant – so I am extremely grateful for modern medicine and good doctors! Find someone that wants the best for you and listens to all of your concerns and questions. I was so blessed to have the best doctor around {Shout out to Dr. Bohman with Desert Perinatal!} and know how important this is while you are expecting.

7.  SHOP THE SALES: As a new mom, there are a LOT of things that you are going to need! Start NOW. I am all about a good deal and almost never will pay full price for an item. Make a list of items that you are going to need like bottles, diapers, wipes, a crib, car seat, blankets and onesies and look for deals. It is never too early to start shopping and to get stocked up on all of your necessities!

8. PREPARE FOR BABY: One of most fun things you will do while pregnant, is prepare! Pick out a name for baby, get the nursery set up, pack your bag for the hospital – get ready because you are going to be a MOM! Make a list of things you are going to need to get done and check them off as you go, so you can feel accomplished and know that things are progressing. It is always a good feeling to look back and see everything you have done!

9. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: With everything going on, it is so so SO important to take care of yourself. I was on bed rest {off and on} for majority of my pregnancy… about six months! Make sure you take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, pregnancy is exhausting!! Sleep as much as you can! Eat healthy and stay away from dangerous foods that can harm you or the baby. Also – do something for yourself! Do something you love to do and that makes you happy! You deserve it!

10. ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT: Something that comes from having a difficult time getting pregnant, is the ability to recognize what a blessing pregnancy is. When your head is in the toilet, your feet are swollen and you can barely walk – there might be a moment where you don’t really appreciate it. BUT I am telling you today that IT IS WORTH IT. It is worth it ALL. Don’t take it for granted. There are many women out there who would do ANYTHING to be in your position. Be grateful you are pregnant. LOVE that you are pregnant.

I am so excited that you are going to become a mom! It is just the best thing in the world! I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy – Time may seem slow now, but once the baby comes, you can’t slow it down enough!!

Tell me about your pregnancy! How are you feeling or how did you feel?! I would also love to hear what you would add to this list of MUST DO’S When You Are Expecting A Baby! 

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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

May 14, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 15 Comments