Seeing that positive result on your test is a big moment. Whether it’s a longed-for outcome or a bit of a surprise, it’s normal to feel a rush of emotions. Excitement, shock, joy, a touch of fear, or a whole heap of “OMG what do I do now?!” It’s all pretty much par for the course.
So, what now? Are there rules around what to do when you find out you’re pregnant?

In this article: 📝

I’m pregnant, now what?!
What is the first thing to do when you find out you are pregnant?
Should you go to the doctor after a positive pregnancy test?
How soon after finding out you’re pregnant should you see a doctor?
What to do when you find out you’re pregnant

Pregnancy Due Date Calculator: When Am I Due?

Whether you’ve just found out you’re pregnant or you’re just checking how long until you meet baby, our pregnancy due date calculator is quick, accurate, and easy to use.

I’m pregnant, now what?!

We hear ya! So many questions, but luckily, you’ve got a bit of time before baby makes an appearance, so don’t go into a blind panic just yet!

We’re not here to dictate the next 10 ish months of your life, but what we can do is point you in the right direction of what to do next.

What to do after finding out you’re pregnant will be as individual as you are, but keep reading for some top tips and things to consider in these first few weeks of pregnancy.

No worries. We’ve got your back, mama-to-be!

What is the first thing to do when you find out you are pregnant?

The first thing to do is to work out exactly how pregnant you are, and therefore, your baby’s due date.

You can do this by looking up the date of when your last period started, or by using a due date calculator.

Some pregnancy tests will indicate the number of weeks pregnant you are, too.

Should you go to the doctor after a positive pregnancy test?

Yes! Once you’ve worked out how many weeks pregnant you are, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor — whether that’s your usual GP or an OB-GYN, if you already have one picked out.

If you’ve been receiving medical assistance to get pregnant, speak to your fertility doctor.

How soon after finding out you’re pregnant should you see a doctor?

This will depend on your exact situation.

Some doctors may want to wait until you reach a certain number of weeks, while others will want to see you asap.

It’s best to make the call sooner rather than later to get the ball rolling, especially as you’ll probably have about a million questions you want to ask!

Speaking of which, let’s try to get our heads around what to do when you first find out you’re pregnant.

Here’s a guide to the nine things we think should make it onto your pregnancy to-do list…

What to do when you find out you’re pregnant

1. See your doctor

So, as we’ve said, it’s a good idea to check in with your doc as soon as you can after getting your positive result to see what you need to do next, medically speaking. Your prenatal care usually starts with some blood and urine tests to confirm the pregnancy and look for any early indicators of issues, like UTIs.

If you’re not sure of your dates, you may be referred for an early dating ultrasound to make sure you’re working with an accurate due date.

You might also want to make your doctor aware of any complications you’ve had with conceiving or issues with previous pregnancies, and have them check the safety of any medications you usually take.

2. Start taking a prenatal

If you’re not already, it’s a good idea to start taking a prenatal vitamin to support your body through pregnancy and help your baby develop.

Your doctor may prescribe you something specific or point you in the right direction of brands you can buy yourself.

Usually, the main components to look out for are folate/folic acid and DHA.

3. Quit the bad stuff

Look up what you need to avoid during pregnancy.

This might be certain foods, like unpasteurized dairy, lunch meats, and sushi, or more dangerous substances like drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

It’s also a good idea to learn about reducing your caffeine intake.

4. Ramp up the good stuff

As well as keeping certain things off-limits for now, it’s important to focus on healthy eating, too.

It can be difficult if you’re struggling with pregnancy nausea or food aversions, so if you have a few days here or there where you can only manage dry crackers, don’t stress.

When you can, bulk up your diet with plenty of whole foods, fruit, and veg, and drink plenty of water.

5. Announce your news (or don’t)

No rules around this one, mama-to-be. You might need to let it slip early if you’re struggling with nausea in the office, or you might want to wait and distract yourself from any of the big decisions by making plans for a grand reveal.

Keep it under wraps or sing it from the rooftop — this one’s totally up to you.

6. Think about the money, honey

Nothing quite like looking at your financials to bring you back to reality!

This might include looking at your employer’s maternity leave protocols, speaking with your health insurance company to find out exactly how much everything will cost, and making a shopping list of all your baby essentials.

You might not have to worry about any of this just yet, but it can feel good to get ahead with a plan.

7. Switch up your beauty regime

There are some pregnancy no-nos when it comes to products like make-up and moisturizer.

Check out our guide to all you need to know about a pregnancy-safe beauty regime, and schedule some retail therapy time to switch up your products.

Finally, a good excuse to hit the shops!

8. Know the signs of early loss

Not something you probably want to think about, but miscarriage happens.

We wish it didn’t, but the first few weeks of pregnancy can be fraught with nerves, especially if you’ve suffered a loss before.

If it happens, know you are not alone, and it doesn’t mean you won’t go on to have another healthy pregnancy.

Knowing signs of miscarriage, like cramping, abdominal pain, and bleeding, can help you make an informed decision about whether to speak to your doctor.

And if you need emotional support, don’t be afraid to reach out or talk about it.

9. Give yourself a minute

Time to breathe. Finding out you’re pregnant is a lot, whatever your situation.

Whether it’s dealing with the physical symptoms that can come on with surprising severity of the mental load of your life-changing news, the first trimester can feel like a struggle. Or, you might sail through it with ease.

Tips from our Peanut mamas? Go to bed early, don’t overwhelm yourself with plans, and give yourself time to get used to this.

You’re allowed to feel however you’re feeling, without it taking away from your overall joy.

You’ve got this!

Congratulations!

What To Do When You Find Out You're Pregnant