The Healthy Belly Pregnancy Checklist

First Trimester

Week 1

Vitamins and more vitamins! Along with a balanced nutritious diet, it is very important to start taking a high-quality prenatal multivitamin with a minimum of 600 micrograms of folic acid everyday. Along with your vitamin supplements, you might want to start a high quality Reds and Greens supplement, as well as a daily fiber supplement, to help with possible future constipation issues. Click here, or visit: Shop Healthy Belly, to view our recommended quality prenatal supplements.


Week 2

Go Organic! If you have the budget, start off right by eating good quality nutrient rich foods over the next 10 to 16 months. Are you currently eating right for you and your baby? Educate yourself on the nutrition basics, and start you and your baby off the right way, by eating as optimal as possible! Click here, or visit The Healthy Belly Food and Nutrition section to learn more from our HB team of professionals. Also, don't forget to sign up a personal pregnancy profile with us on dooddles.com and share your pregnancy experiences with your close friends and family!

Week 3

If you have had any problems with a previous pregnancy, have any medical conditions or genetic history which could potentially affect your baby, you might want to set up a consultation with your doctor to go over any concerns for possible risks for you and your baby. If you haven't started on your prenatals, check out what The Healthy Belly reccommends as a quality prenatal supplement for mom and baby! Click here to learn more...


Week 4

If your pregnancy test came out negative, it is possible to still be pregnant, so take another test again at 5 weeks to be more certain. If you're positive, celebrate! Be positive and smile, for this is truly an amazing experience in your life, so do your best to treat it as such!


Week 5

Congratulations, you should know by now if you are truly pregnant! Call and set up a doctor or midwife appointment if you are positive you are pregnant. Some doctors or midwives may want to wait until you're at least 8 weeks, before they will want to schedule your first appointment. So try and be patient, because your first appointment will be here before you know it!  Start taking your Prenatal Vitamins right away if you haven't started already.


Week 6

If you haven't already, you may want to start a consistent exercise routine. This is very important to get your body physically ready for labor and able to carry around the extra weight your baby brings you during the maturing months. Are you unsure about how to exercise while pregnant? Click here, or visit The Healthy Belly's Fitness and Exercise section to learn more from our HB Team of professionals.


Week 7

Before the end of your first trimester, be sure to take your first pregnancy picture of yourself, or record a video saying something to your baby about how it feels to be newly pregnant. I'm sure we all wish we could see a video of our mother and/or father saying something to us before we were born! Of course, make sure you are taking your Prenatal Vitamins consistently everyday!


Week 8

If you haven't already, you should be scheduled for your first doctor or Midwife appointment. You might read about different tests your doctor or midwife might want to perform during your first trimester, be sure to write down a list of any questions or concerns you and your partner may have related to your series of visits over the next few months.


Week 9

If you are currently working, be sure to look up any policies your employer may have regarding maternity leave. You may want to wait until you're a little further along before sharing your exciting news with co-workers. If you haven't already, sign up your personal pregnancy or child's profile with us at: dooddles.com!


Week 10

Educate yourself! Start reading everything you can from all the different birthing methods, to the benefits of breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding. Ask questions, and get feedback from close friends and family about different things that worked for them when they were in your situation. Remember: Do what feels right to you, because this is your baby, so you and your partner should make all final decisions! Don't forget to start taking the perfect prenatal supplement! Find all the info you need and more at: qualityprenatalvitamins.com!


Week 11

Be sure to start exercising. Exercise promotes strength, endurance, and muscle tone, so start swimming, walking or doing yoga for pregnancy on a regular basis, unless you were advised not to, as these activities are good throughout the majority of your pregnancy. Click here, or visit our Fitness and Exercise section of The Healthy Belly to learn more from our HB Team of professionals.


Week 12

Make a baby budget! There are many things to buy and have ready for the time of birth. Put together a list of must-have products, such as baby diapers, baby clothes, medical expenses and so on. Work together with your partner to come up with a reasonable budget, which will work for your situation. If you haven't already, Click here, or sign up today to become a free HB member, and receive access to our network of information, products, recommendations and more!


Week 13

You're about to enter your second trimester, and the reality of having a baby is probably starting to set in more and more. This may be a good time to sit down with your partner and talk about your personal views on raising your child. Coming from different backgrounds, many partners find that they have different views and beliefs on ways to raise their child or children, usually based on the patterns and conditioning factors of how they were raised. There is no better time than now to talk about these issues and to compromise on what works best for the two of you.


Second Trimester

Week 14

If you haven't already, it's a good time for you and your partner to start talking to your baby! Start telling your baby all the positive things you want for her. Believe it or not, this is a great time for the three of you to start bonding. Also, start listening to different types of music. There are great CDs out there which provide positive energy as well as listening enjoyment for you and your baby! Click here, or search: Shop Healthy Belly for our recommendations for you and your baby's listening enjoyment.


Week 15

Have you tried yoga for pregnancy yet? If you have never tried yoga before, it doesn't mean you can't do it, or it would be bad for you to start now! Yoga is great for focusing your mind and energy, better understanding your breathing patterns, as well as toning your muscles. Talk to your healthcare provider about giving yoga a try! Click here, or visit: Shop Healthy Belly to view our selection of pregnancy yoga videos , or visit our Fitness and Exercise section to watch yoga video clips affiliated with My Yoga Online. http://www.myyogaonline.com


Week 16

You may be hearing or learning about amniocentesis, or (CVS) chorionic villus sampling. Amniocentesis, is a process or test done by a doctor or healthcare Practitioner, to help gather any information in regards to the genetic health and development of your baby. (CVS) or chorionic villus sampling is used to detect chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. As these processes are definitely not for everyone, start your research and make up your own mind of what's best for you and your partner.


Week 17

Now is a good time to plan a getaway for you and your partner! Yes, that's right, take a babymoon or vacation for just the two of you. However you may want to plan your getaway before your 3rd trimester, as your energy levels will not be optimal for traveling, and for the safety of you and your baby, traveling during your 3rd trimester is not typically recommended. Once the baby arrives, the opportunity to get away may be just a little more difficult for a while.


Week 18

It's getting close to being able to find out whether your baby is a boy or a girl! If you haven't already found out or set a date to find out, you may want to talk about whether or not you and your partner both really want to know what you're having, or if you would rather wait and be surprised. One popular way to find out the sex of your baby is to go to a 3D/4D ultrasound facility located near you.


Week 19

It's never too early to start thinking of your baby's name. You may already know if you expecting a baby boy or a baby girl, if not, it might be fun to go through a list and pick out a couple name options for your baby before you know the sex. Click here, or visit The Healthy Belly Baby Name Finder section, to get a list of potential names for your newborn.


Week 20

Wow, you're already half way through your pregnancy... can you believe it? This week is a good one to set up some pregnancy birthing classes and start to lock in which birthing method feels most comfortable for you and your partner. Take a tour of a birthing center or nearby hospital, and be sure to ask many questions. Talk to a midwife or a doula about a natural home or water birth for you and your baby. With all the different birthing options available, make sure to do all your research well beforehand, as each birthing method comes with its own set of practices and preparations. Choose the option with which you and your partner are most comfortable, as this experience is a special one – make the most of it!


Week 21

Are you doing your Kegel exercises? Kegels are a great exercise for women, especially during pregnancy. Strengthening the muscles of your pelvic floor, Kegels are great to help support your urethra, blatter, uterus, as well as your vagina and rectum. Kegels are also known to help many women through different stages of labor. Click here, or visit our Fitness and Exercise section of The Healthy Belly to learn more about Kegels from one of our HB Team of professionals.


Week 22

It's never too early to start thinking about childcare! Weather you have a close relative who is willing to help out by watching your baby, or you are planning to bring your child to a day care center, start your planning ahead. Many childcare centers have waiting lists, so be sure to get on some before you have to wait. Also, if your planning on a having a nanny start interviewing different nannies ahead of time, as this will only become more difficult when baby arrives. Be sure to weigh out all your options and choose which one feels most comfortable for you and your partner.


Week 23

Your baby will be here before you know it, so start to think about how you vision your birth and who you want to be part of it. For many a quiet home birth with the presence of a select few people including a Midwife, feels the most comfortable, while for others a hospital birth with the presence of family and friends in the waiting room is what they have imagined. Whatever you decide to do, remember it is your personal decision, so only do what feels right to you. Friends and family many times want to be a big part in your baby's birth and the pressure of the day could start to become overwhelming! Don't be afraid to tell your friends and family what feels right to you and your partner, they will have to understand and respect that this is your baby and your decision to how you want to experience your baby's birth. Talk with your partner and make sure you are in agreement to how you both vision your big day, as this may help ease any possible tension.


Week 24

Treat yourself! That's right, time for a makeover, facial, pedicure manicure, or even a professional pregnancy message. Have a day of pampering yourself. You deserve it! Many women enjoy buying a new maternity outfit, then having some professional pregnancy photographs done. Click here, or visit our HB store to select from our variety of comfortable maternity outfits.


Week 25

It's baby registry time! Take some time and do some research on the different quality products available for your baby. With so many different types of baby products to learn about, start your research now, and make a list of most important things you'll want on your registry. Click here, or visit: Shop Healthy Belly to start your online registry and find out what The Healthy Belly recommends for mom and baby!  Find your favorite high-end, quality, and organic baby products at Shop Healthy Belly.com


Week 26

Have you found your baby's furniture yet? As this can become expensive shopping for the right baby furniture, it can also be a lot of fun! Today, there are so many options available to meet you and your baby's needs. Cribs convert into toddler beds, then into full-size beds, helping you save money in the future. Start your research today by checking out our quality selection at: Shop Healthy Belly.com, helping you to find the perfect bedroom set for you and your newborn baby.


Week 27

If you haven't already, check any jewelry such as wedding rings, bracelets, toe rings, etc., for tightness. As you continue to develop and grow during your pregnancy, it is common for women to experience some swelling in their fingers and toes, making it more and more uncomfortable to wear certain pieces of jewelry. If you're uncomfortable not wearing an important jewelry piece, such as a wedding ring, you can always string it on a necklace and wear it around your neck to keep that positive energy with you.

Week 28

Write your child a letter. Before you enter your third trimester, write a message of love or a personal letter to your baby before he or she arrives. As each week may seem to become more difficult to tackle your list of things to accomplish before baby arrives, taking the time to write even a simple message or letter of feelings you are experiencing mentally, physically and emotionally, to your baby, will mean a lot to you and your child in the future.


Third Trimester

Week 29

Look into cord-blood banking for your baby. Cord blood is the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord after being cut during your baby's birth. Your baby's cord blood is rich in stem cells, which have been proven to be great for treating common illnesses such as heart disease and Alzheimer's. The stem cells in your baby's cord blood also have the ability to regenerate into the cells, which help to form other tissues and organs in our body.


Week 30

Do some research on breastfeeding. It may be wise to talk to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist, as there are definitely secrets designed to help you and your baby breastfeed with more ease. Also, talk to a labor coach, doula, or midwife to learn more in detail about your upcoming stages of labor as well as breastfeeding and bottle-feeding tools and tips.


Week 31

Plan a special day with a special someone! Ask you partner, best friend or family member to spend a day together, just the two of you. Maybe plan a picnic in the park or even a day at the beach or in the snow, whatever your heart desires. Now is a good time to make sure and stay connected to one another before your baby arrives. Enjoy this day of talking, laughing and bonding just the two of you.


Week 32

After your beautiful baby shower, be sure to clean all your new baby clothes, blankets and bedding with an organic baby safe laundry detergent. Organize all your gifts and clothes for your baby and make a list of all the important things you still need to buy. Click here, or visit: Shop Healthy Belly to order our quality organic baby laundry detergent, as well as other high-end baby products to help suit your needs.


Week 33

If you haven't already, find a doctor or healthcare provider for your baby. Talk to family and friends and get a list of references for different doctors in your area and start the interviewing process. If you are not planning on vaccinating your child, make sure you tell each doctor that vaccinating your child is not something with which you're comfortable, and are looking for support with your beliefs.


Week 34

If you haven't already, educate yourself on how to put your baby's car seat in your car. As car seats usually come with diagrams and directions how to install them correctly, they can sometimes be confusing for most people. Get help from another mother, friend or from your local fire department, as firefighters have all been properly trained how to install a baby's car seat.


Week 35

If you haven't already, have your partner, friend or family member assemble and check out all your baby gear to make sure everything is functioning correctly. Assemble your baby's crib, dresser, stroller, swing, or anything else that may need to be put together. Be sure to double check all the locks, clamps, wheels, or anything that could cause a problem with the functionality of each piece of equipment. Sometimes, certain pieces could become damaged in the shipping process. Most companies release products with some sort of warranty for replacement, and sometimes companies may send you a new piece to replace a damaged one.


Week 36

If you're planning to have a hospital birth, start packing your bag, as by next week you are considered full-term and you can more than likely safely deliver your baby at any moment. Consider these items when packing your bag: a list of contact information for any friends and family who are planning on being at the hospital to show their support, outfit for your baby when you bring him or her home, common toiletries, comfortable outfit for you to wear home from the hospital, magazines to read, maybe a DVD player and some of your favorite movies, CD or MP3 player to listen to some of your favorite tunes or meditative music, something comfortable for your feet like socks or slippers, a nursing bra, a comfortable pillow, organic breath mints or gum for your breath, lip balm and maybe some healthy snacks to satisfy your hunger.


Week 37

Line up your Labor Team. Put together a list of on-call friends or family members who are willing to help assist you when you go into labor. Always plan ahead as if any complications were to arise and your stay in the hospital happens to be longer than anticipated, your labor team will be ready to help with all your regular daily tasks. Make a list of any regular obligations you currently have and delegate your responsibilities between your Labor Team.


Week 38

The days start to feel longer as you are more and more ready to meet and take home your little one. These are the last few days of carrying your baby, try to enjoy him or her inside your healthy belly as much as you can. Your baby will be out before you know it, and it will feel amazing to hold her in your arms. Look down at your belly, take a final picture of you holding your belly with your little baby still inside, and treasure this moment of the two of you still together as one.


Week 39

Prepare a bunch of healthy meals ahead of time for after your baby is born, or delegate this to someone on your Labor Team. Having healthy meals prepared before hand will be much help, as you may be overwhelmed with newfound motherhood and being with your baby for their first days at home.


Week 40

You've done your homework on pregnancy and fetal development, however have your started doing your homework on newborn care and child development? There is no better time than now, if you haven't already started to learn about the beginning physical, mental and emotional stages of your baby's development. Click here, or sign up with The Healthy Belly and use our Healthy Baby's newborn timeline, to learn more about the future weeks and months of your baby's development.