Your Pregnancy To-Do List

You have a lot to think about between preparing for your baby and staying as healthy as possible. Follow our week-by-week to-do lists to make it easy.

Pregnancy to do list

Pregnancy is a monumental journey. So many changes and milestones happen along the way—and it's normal to feel both excited and overwhelmed. There's a lot to look forward to, a lot to remember, and many adjustments along the way. Reduce stress and keep on track by following this pregnancy checklist.

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Week 1 of Pregnancy

Excited Couple Positive Pregnancy Test
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

Congratulations! You're actively trying to conceive—and you might even be pregnant already! Here's what you need to do now:

  • Start taking a prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid if you haven't already.
  • Write down the date of your last period or two.
  • Create a family health history, including any genetic or chromosomal disorders.
  • Quit smoking, and focus on having a healthy diet and lifestyle.
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Week 2 of Pregnancy

Grilled Tarragon Chicken Salad recipe image
Yunhee Kim
  • Reduce your caffeine intake.
  • Talk to a health care about safe medications during pregnancy.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
  • Talk to a health care provider about your exercise routine. Note: It won't harm your baby, and your body will tell you when it's time to slow down.
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Week 3 of Pregnancy

Hand Holds Positive Pregnancy Test on Wooden Table
TierneyMJ/Shutterstock
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Week 4 of Pregnancy

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  • Take a pregnancy test if you've missed your period.
  • Tell your partner the news!
  • Make an appointment to see your medical provider to confirm your pregnancy and calculate a due date.
  • Consider the alternative of a certified nurse-midwife.
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Week 5 of Pregnancy

pregnancy books
Bryan McCay
  • Pick up a pregnancy book.
  • Download a pregnancy app to help you stay organized.
  • Buy a journal or memory book to record your milestones, symptoms, and questions for the next nine months.
  • Join an in-person or virtual pregnancy support group.
  • Be sure to drink lots of water.
  • If you have insurance, talk to the company to find out which local medical providers and hospitals are covered by your plan.
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Week 6 of Pregnancy

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Week 7 of Pregnancy

Doctor Talking to Patient Sitting on Table
S_L/Shutterstock
  • Schedule and prepare for your first prenatal visit, which typically happens between 8 and 12 weeks.
  • Compile a list of questions for your first doctor or medical provider's appointment.
  • Clear your beauty cabinet of any ingredients that can be dangerous during pregnancy like parabens or phthalates.
  • Buy a belly band to extend the life of your pants.
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Week 8 of Pregnancy

breasts as melons in bra
Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock
  • Shop for a new bra, whether it's a maternity bra or just a bigger, softer style.
  • Make Kegel exercises a part of your daily routine.
  • Pick up antacids in preparation for pregnancy heartburn, along with other drugstore staples.
  • Make a dentist appointment.
  • Discuss recommended prenatal tests with your medical provider
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Week 9 of Pregnancy

woman laptop tablet cell phone computer
Pixabay/kaboompics
  • Create a baby budget.
  • Make a pre-baby to-do list of all the things you want accomplish or enjoy before the baby arrives.
  • Look at your household cleaners and swap in eco-friendly ones for any toxic ones.
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  • Go for a walk, or do 30 minutes of another moderate exercise, and make it a part of your daily routine now.
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Week 10 of Pregnancy

Comfy (Not Frumpy!) Clothes
  • Wash your hands frequently to avoid getting a cold or the flu.
  • Try natural remedies for indigestion.
  • Go shopping for maternity clothing.
  • Review your company's parental leave policy.
  • If you're hoping for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) but your medical provider isn't on board, consider jumping ship for a practitioner who will consider it.
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Week 11 of Pregnancy

pregnant stomach with stethoscope
Angelaluchianiuc/shutterstock.com
  • Moisturize your belly, hips and thighs daily to prevent itchy, dry skin as it stretches.
  • Avoid hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, intense hot-weather workouts, super-hot baths, or anything else that could raise your body temperature above 102 degrees.
  • Get a first-trimester screening to help your practitioner decide what tests may be warranted.
  • If it's recommended by your medical provider (likely an OB-GYN) get tested for chromosomal abnormalities through a nuchal translucency (NT) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
  • Listen to the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler at your doctor's appointment, if possible.
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Week 12 of Pregnancy

woman stretching before run
Veer
  • Plan a babymoon vacation.
  • Buy a body pillow for sleeping.
  • Be sure to stretch and warm up before exercise because your ligaments and joints are loosened up now.
  • If you're having multiples, your medical provider will be able to spot the extra babies at your next ultrasound.
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Week 13 of Pregnancy

Top Baby Names Pink Post Its
 Africa Studio/Shutterstock
  • Begin thinking about baby names.
  • Start sleeping on your side.
  • Research pediatricians.
  • Eat smaller meals more frequently to stave off heartburn.
  • Consider borrowing previously worn maternity clothing from friends or family.
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Week 14 of Pregnancy

stephens-family-track-your-bump
Danielle Stephens/The Stephens Family
  • Tell your family and friends your good news if you haven't already.
  • Break the news to your boss, too.
  • Take advantage of your second-trimester energy boost by checking things off your to-do list at home and at work.
  • Start taking weekly pictures of your beautiful belly.
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Week 15 of Pregnancy

pregnant women in yoga class
Shutterstock
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Week 16 of Pregnancy

Zajfen nursery bassinets
Courtesy of Kelly Zajfen
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Week 17 of Pregnancy

woman writing lists
iStockphoto
  • Combat your forgetful "pregnancy brain" with lots of notes and reminders.
  • Treat yourself to a prenatal massage.
  • Sign up for a childbirth class.
  • Start a college fund for baby-to-be by opening a 529 account or a special savings account.
  • Pick up a saline spray or humidifier to alleviate congestion caused by pregnancy.
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Week 18 of Pregnancy

baby's gender
  • Consider signing up for infant CPR, prenatal breastfeeding, or newborn-care classes.
  • Check your desk chair to see if a more supportive one or a footstool could help with back pain.
  • Get ready for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound.
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Week 19 of Pregnancy

Couple Holding Picture of Ultrasound
Pixinoo/shutterstock.com
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Week 20 of Pregnancy

Happy pregnant couple holding hands
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Week 21 of Pregnancy

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  • Research the pros and cons of breastfeeding. Decide what's best for you and your baby once you have all the facts.
  • Get organized and tackle pending projects around the house.
  • Buy new clothes for your changing body.
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Week 22 of Pregnancy

Baby Bib Cupcakes
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Week 23 of Pregnancy

Pregnancy jeans
Buff Strickland
  • Take time to rest when you can—your body's doing lots of work and sleep might be getting more difficult by now.
  • Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
  • Nervous about labor? Try pregnancy meditation to help you prepare.
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Week 24 of Pregnancy

maternity leave
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Week 25 of Pregnancy

pregnant woman in hospital gown
Tetra Images/Corbis
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Week 26 of Pregnancy

6 Secrets of Pediatrician Parents
  • Interview potential pediatricians. Find out which local doctor and other medical providers are covered by your insurance (provided you have insurance) and seek recommendations.
  • Plan any last-minute travel—which is generally fine right up until your baby comes, though you might want to reconsider flying during the last month of pregnancy.
  • Take the glucose-screening test.
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Week 27 of Pregnancy

midwife doula with pregnant woman
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
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Week 28 of Pregnancy

Babyproofing Your Home: Crib
  • Start seeing your doctor, midwife, or primary health care provider every two weeks.
  • Help your partner to feel the baby's kicks.
  • If your fingers are swollen, take your rings off and store them in a safe place until after delivery.
  • Depending on your and your partner's blood types, you may receive an injection of RhoGAM.
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Week 29 of Pregnancy

Whitney Port Baby Shower 8
Jen Simon Photography
  • Enjoy your baby shower!
  • If you live in an older home, ask your partner to test for lead-based paint in the nursery and remove it if necessary.
  • Eat a high-fiber diet to help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.
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Week 30 of Pregnancy

Hot Car Child Car Seat
Africa Studio/Shutterstock
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Week 31 of Pregnancy

pregnant woman sitting at work
Loreanto/Shutterstock
  • Make sure you're eating foods rich in iron.
  • If you plan to hire a baby nurse, start seeking recommendations.
  • Prepare a baby first-aid and emergency kit.
  • if you have insurance, talk to the company about covering your breast pump if you think you will need one.
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Week 32 of Pregnancy

girl hugging dog
Priscilla Gragg.
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Week 33 of Pregnancy

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  • Start reading about newborn care.
  • Clean out your car to make room for baby.
  • Install your car seat and visit an inspection station near you so you can be sure you did it correctly.
  • Consider having a car safety check done.
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Week 34 of Pregnancy

pregnant woman in bed
Syda Productions/Shutterstock
  • If you have insurance, call the company to add your baby-to-be to your policy.
  • Get tested for Group B strep (GBS).
  • Buy any items you'll need for postpartum recovery.
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Week 35 of Pregnancy

Breast Pump Dance
Pikul Noorod/Shutterstock
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Week 36 of Pregnancy

pregnant woman lying on side
Shutterstock
  • Review your birth plan with your health care provider, midwife, doula, or any others involved.
  • Sleep in, take naps, and get as many extra Z's as you can.
  • Send thank-you notes for your shower gifts.
  • Talk to your partner or a trusted friend or family member about any pre-labor nerves.
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Week 37 of Pregnancy

happy pregnant mom wearing blue and holding baby
Shutterstock
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Week 38 of Pregnancy

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Illustration by Skinny Andy
  • Tie up any loose ends with finances or medical insurance (if you have coverage).
  • Make a list of who you want to contact when the baby arrives, including phone numbers and email addresses.
  • Nail down your final choices for baby names.
  • Go over the birth plan with your partner and anyone else who needs to know.
  • Consider making a postpartum plan detailing who will prepare meals, walk the dog, clean the house, and complete other tasks while you recover from labor and delivery.
  • Learn more about postpartum mood disorders so you can recognize the telltale signs.
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Week 39 of Pregnancy

Pregnant woman meditating on bed
Dean Mitchell/Getty Images
  • Practice any relaxation or breathing techniques you've learned.
  • Wrap up at work and touch base with your team, just in case you go into labor before your due date.
  • Discuss with your partner the option of cutting the umbilical cord.
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Week 40 of Pregnancy

Pregnant woman having labor contractions
Shutterstock
  • Be ready for your water to break, or for the mucus plug or bloody show.
  • Time your contractions.
  • Buy a few cold packs at the drugstore to use when the perineal cold packs from the hospital run out.
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Week 41 of Pregnancy

pregnant woman holding ultrasound image on belly
Shutterstock
  • Enjoy those last few kicks and the amazing feeling of having your baby inside of you.
  • Do squats to help prepare your body for labor.
  • Take advantage of the extra time to rest.
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Week 42 of Pregnancy

woman going into labor
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