Pregnancy Checklist: A Month-By-Month Guide For Expecting Moms

Expecting a baby is exciting, overwhelming, and everything in-between! There’s so much to do before your little one makes their big debut. If you’re feeling the pressure, having a pregnancy checklist can help.

A month-by-month to-do list helps you think of things that might not have occurred to you before and ensures that you take care of the necessities. And we have just the thing!

But before we get to the Newton Baby pregnancy checklist, we want to give a shout-out to those of you who aren’t pregnant yet but are trying to conceive! What should you focus on right now?

What To Do When You’re Trying To Conceive

Sometimes pregnancy is a wonderful surprise! Other times, you’ve been planning and hoping to get pregnant for quite a while.

If you’re actively trying to conceive, your prenatal care can (and should) start now! Here are a few ways to get ready and prepare your body.

• Start taking a prenatal vitamin. Folic acid is especially important!
• Get a checkup and go to the dentist.
• Make sure you’re up-to-date on immunizations like MMR and Tetanus.
• Find out how your health insurance covers prenatal care and delivery.
• Create a budget for prenatal care and baby expenses.
• Put a stop to unhealthy habits, like smoking and drug use.
• Cut down on alcohol and caffeine consumption.
• Eat healthy, balanced meals.
• Start exercising if you aren’t active already. 

Once you do conceive, it’s game on! Here’s the pregnancy checklist you need to stay organized, healthy, and ready to welcome your baby into your home.

Month-By-Month Pregnancy Checklist

First Trimester Checklist

Month One (Weeks 1-4)

Your due date is calculated from the first day of your last period, which means that during weeks one through four of pregnancy, you may not even know you’re pregnant!

There’s not much that you need to do during this month. If you’re actively trying to get pregnant or think you might be, start on the list we mentioned above!

Month Two (Weeks 5-8)

• You can take a home pregnancy test on the first day after your missed period. If you’re doubtful about the results, take another test a week later.
• Do some research and choose an OB-GYN, family practitioner, or midwife. Make an appointment for when you’re eight or nine weeks pregnant.
• Before you go to your first doctor’s appointment, check your health insurance coverage.
• You can never be too prepared when it comes to morning sickness! Stock up on ginger ale, saltines, and Gatorade.
• If you’re a smoker, kick that habit to the curb ASAP.
• Say goodbye to margaritas and other alcohol for the next several months.
• Reduce your caffeine intake.
• Start eating a healthy pregnancy diet.
• Rest as much as you need to. Pregnancy fatigue is no joke, especially in the first trimester!
• Ask your doctor if the medications or supplements you’re taking are safe for pregnancy.

Month Three (Weeks 9-12)

• Shop for new bras. You may find that your breasts are rapidly changing in shape and size! Buy a couple of new bras, knowing you might do so again in a few months.
• Sit down with your partner and put your heads together about finances. Plan for prenatal care costs as well as delivery (and beyond!). Having a baby costs a pretty penny.
• Decide how you want to announce your pregnancy to friends and family.
• Ask your doctor about prenatal testing and decide what you want done. If you do a nuchal translucency screening (which tests for chromosomal abnormalities), you’ll have it around week 10 or 12.
• Get into a consistent exercise routine that’s safe for pregnant women.
• It’s never too early to start researching baby products and nursery furniture. An early start is especially important when it comes to essential pieces like your baby’s crib and crib mattress. If you have an extra-tiny space, check out our ideas for setting up a nursery in a small room here.

Second Trimester Checklist

Month Four (Weeks 13-17)

• If you’re working, let your boss know that you’re expecting and find out what maternity or paternity leave involves.
• You’re probably starting to develop a little bump! Buy (or borrow) maternity clothes.
• Start creating a registry with all the baby essentials so it’ll be ready to go when you have your first baby shower. Include baby items that serve more than one purpose, like Newton Baby’s Organic Swaddle Blankets.
• Make an appointment for your 20-week ultrasound.
• Decide if you want to know the gender of your baby (your 20-week ultrasound is usually when you can find out if you’re carrying a boy or girl).
• Plan a gender reveal party if you decide to find out the gender before delivery.
• Make the transition to side-sleeping — and don’t stop until you have your baby.
• Start doing Kegel exercises if you aren’t already.

Month Five (Weeks 18-22)

• Go to your 20-week ultrasound appointment.
• Schedule your gestational diabetes test (also known as a glucose screening).
• Decide if you want to take childbirth and breastfeeding classes, and do some research to see what’s available. Keep in mind you may have to register now.
• If you’ll need childcare, start looking into options. It might seem early, but time will fly! Plus, some daycares have waiting lists.
• Make a list of potential baby names!
• Begin baby-proofing your home. You have more energy in your second trimester than you will in your third, so getting things done now is a good idea.
• Start decorating the nursery! Check out our ideas for little boy and little girl nursery themes. 

Month Six (Weeks 23-27)

• Go to your gestational diabetes glucose screening. Throwing back that glucose drink isn’t pleasant, but it’s necessary!
• Create a birth plan. This simply means writing out the details of how you want delivery day to go so that everyone knows your preferences.
• Set up the nursery. Even if you aren’t ready to put the finishing touches on the room, make sure you have the important parts taken care of — like a place for your baby to sleep! Opt for sleep safety for your little one by choosing a breathable mattress, like Newton Baby’s Crib Mattress.
• Research the pediatricians in your area.
• Update your will, IRA, and 401k beneficiaries.
• Make plans to wrap up travel since you’ll need to stick closer to home during your third trimester.
• Decide how you want to announce the birth of your bundle of joy.
• Even though you’re getting bigger (and possibly more uncomfortable!), stay active!

Third Trimester Checklist

Month Seven (Weeks 28-31)

• Start counting your baby’s kicks. Figure out how long it typically takes them to kick or move 10 times — it’s usually less than two hours. Let your doctor know if your baby’s kick count changes on a given day.
• Go to all of your doctor’s appointments. You’ll stay busy since you’ll have a visit every two weeks once you begin your third trimester.
• Schedule your Group B Strep test for somewhere between 35 and 37 weeks.
• Write thank-you notes for your baby shower gifts.

• If you have other kids, arrange childcare for the day you go into labor.
• Put the final touches on your nursery in case your little one decides to make an early appearance! Be sure it’s a safe space.
• Pack a hospital bag with things for you, your partner, and your baby. 

Month Eight (Weeks 32-35)

• Have your house cleaned (by someone else!).
• Cook a few meals to put in the freezer. You’ll thank yourself later!
• Wash all of the precious baby clothes you have, and picture your little one wearing them!
• Wash the crib sheets and make your baby’s bed. For safe, soft linens, choose Newton Baby’s Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets.
• Spend time with your partner and enjoy a date night in.

Month 9 (Weeks 36-40)

• You’re on the home stretch! Go to your doctor’s appointments, which will be once a week at this point.
• Have your Group B Strep test done if you haven’t already.
• Settle on a pediatrician and figure out how to add your baby to your insurance.
• Install the car seat so it’s ready to go when you start labor.
• Make a list of who should be notified when you go into labor (or when your little one comes into the world) and who will do so.
• Enjoy the last few days of your baby being inside of you!

Mark Things Off Your Pregnancy Checklist

Take some stress off yourself by staying organized with this pregnancy checklist.

Start by taking care of yourself and your baby with healthy prenatal habits. Then stock up on supplies that will keep your baby safe and sound once you’ve welcomed them into the world. (A Newton Baby breathable Crib Mattress is a must!)

Check off your to-do list one month at a time, and before you know it, your baby’s due date will be just around the corner and you’ll be ready to welcome them with open arms!