top of page
Don't worry - you're not behind!
This guide outlines everything you need to do during each month of your pregnancy. Download our Pregnancy Checklist to track your progress.
​
Deep breaths... you'll be prepared.

1-2 Months

START YOUR PRENATALS

If you haven't already, start your prenatal vitamin regimen!

*This is not medical advice, just a set of recommendations. Consult your doctor!

It's shocking how many vitamins you need to take while pregnant, and how tough it is to find high-quality, clean varieties. We've done tons of research and recommend the following vitamins and minerals for their high quality and standards for clean ingredients:

  1. Prenatal vitamin: New Chapter, Full Circle, Metagenics, Seeking Health. Make sure your prenatal has folate in the form of methylfolate, not folic acid. Ask your doctor how much folate you should be taking - your prenatal vitamin may not have enough. If you need an extra folate supplement, Solgar is a great option.

  2. DHA + D: Nordic Naturals

  3. Vitamin D: Now Foods (you likely need more than what's in your DHA+D combination)

  4. Probiotic: Garden of Life Prenatal Probiotic

​

Would also recommend the following while pregnant: 

  • For immunity: Zinc, Vitamin C

  • For regularity: Magnesium (Natural Calm, or any supplement)

  • For bone health: Calcium

CHECK YOUR HEALTH COVERAGE

You'll want to make sure both you and baby are covered during pregnancy and birth. 

  1. Call your (or your partner's) health insurance company to:

    • Confirm you have coverage for maternity care and NICU care while in the hospital.

    • Ensure your hospital of choice is in-network.

    • Find out how many days you have to add Baby (most require you to add within 30 days of birth). Newborns don't need dental insurance, in case you were wondering.

  2. Call your hospital to understand typical costs so you can plan for what you may need to pay out of pocket.

  3. If you already have an OB picked out, call and double-check that s/he takes your insurance. 

DETOX YOUR SKINCARE

Most products contain additives and chemicals that are not safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

You'll want to replace your skincare and beauty lineup with non-toxic, pregnancy-safe products. Recommendations for super-clean, pregnancy-safe and effective products:

Hair care: Rahua; Playa`

​

To check if your skincare is safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding, 15 Minute Beauty is an incredible resource!

CHOOSE YOUR DOCTOR

If you don't have one already, interview and choose an OB.

It's so important to trust, respect and feel comfortable with your OB. You are going to be spending quite a lot of time with this person (both before and during birth). This may include both happy and not-so-happy moments, so you'll want to make sure you've taken the time to pick the right person for you.

 

If you don't already love your OB/GYN, I would recommend interviewing 2-3 before choosing someone. Get recommendations from friends who have had positive experiences and take a look at our recommendations below. Before you interview, call to make sure the doctor takes your insurance and delivers at your hospital of choice. Then, take your interviews seriously. Do you want someone who is a bit more soft and mushy, or do you need tough love? Do you want someone who is going to tell it to you something straight or sugar-coat a bit? These things end up being really important in the tougher moments along the way. Do your due diligence.

​

Once you've picked someone, schedule your first visit! 

3 Months

DOWNLOAD A PREGNANCY APP

Track and share your progress with an app!

While none is perfect, these three apps are useful to track weekly progress and understand how big your baby is growing. I used all three:

  • The Bump (most relevant, clean design, somewhat useful checklists)

  • What to Expect (some of the info can feel outdated but it's very comprehensive)

  • Pregnancy+ (the info is redundant to the above apps, but the fetal visual is pretty cool)

​

This can also be a fun way to keep family and friends involved if they don't see you often - have them download the app and enter your due date so they can follow along!

 

See here for apps to use once Baby arrives!

RUB YOUR BELLY!

Get your belly oil or balm of choice and start now!

Evidence-based research is spotty on how effective using oil or balm on your belly is in reducing stretch marks, but the daily ritual of caring for your belly and connecting with your baby doesn't hurt! If it prevents stretch marks, even better.

 

Get a high-quality, non-toxic oil or balm and use it twice a day, morning and night. Recommendations:

  • Hatch Belly Oil (great for daytime since it absorbs nicely and doesn't rub off)

  • Nucifera Balm (thicker so great for nighttime before bed; also smells wonderful)

  • Pipette Belly Butter (happy medium between the above; feels more like a lotion)

​

Anecdotally, this was my regimen and I didn't get any stretch marks! Tough to say if it was genetics or the above recommendations, or some combination of the two.

START READING UP

Get a few books on pregnancy, birth and caring for Baby so you'll feel prepared.

Reading a few books will help you feel informed and know what to expect - this will make things less stressful and more fun for both you and your partner. The following books are excellent and will arm you with everything you need to know while pregnant and when Baby arrives (in order of priority):

  1. Expecting Better by Emily Oster. Takes a data-based look at common pregnancy rules and decisions. If you only read one book while pregnant, this is it. Highly recommend Oster's newsletter, as well.

  2. Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. Provides an overview of baby-care and a (very famous) framework for soothing babies. Many will attribute their babies' successes to these teachings. If your partner (or other caregiver) only reads one book, this must be it - you will need someone who feels confident soothing the baby and this will give him/her the tools.

  3. Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman. Explains French philosophies and practices around pregnancy and raising young children. Responsible for many of the newer parenting practices in the US.

  4. Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen. A somewhat "new age" guide to pregnancy and postpartum care. Written by the founder of LOOM. If you're into crystals and smudge sticks, this is your book.

  5. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg. Helpful instructions and tips on baby routines, schedules and sleep. If you're Type A and what to get your baby on a schedule, this is a must-read (as is our Baby Schedules section!).

  6. What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff. This is the book your mom likely read while pregnant. Treat it like an encyclopedia (if you're not into the deep dark Google vortex) rather than something you'll read from cover to cover. I'm not a fan of some of its fear-mongering, so take some pieces with a grain of salt. That said, it's good to have around as a reference, and you'll probably be gifted it.

​

For fathers-to-be, two great reads:

  1. Home Game by Michael Lewis. Let's be honest, anything written by Michael Lewis will likely be a hit with dads, but this is actually a great book and will get dads excited.

  2. The Expectant Father by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash Rudick. Practical, balanced, motivating and pretty darn accurate.

​

Check this list out for after Baby arrives!

PLAN YOUR BABYMOON

Now is the time to plan your second trimester babymoon.

Pandemic permitting, if you're planning to do a babymoon, start planning! If you're staying in a hotel, make sure to tell them you're expecting as they often offer upgrades and complimentary items. 

​

When you're thinking about location, remember that your nerves are maybe already going to be running high. Don't pick somewhere that's outside your comfort zone; choose a spot that's going to get you to your happy and zen place. Talk to your doctor, but it's also worth checking the CDC site for Zika and SARS-CoV2 (COVID) outbreaks if you're traveling internationally.

​

Wherever you go, make sure you have the name of a local OB in case something happens.

bottom of page