Pregnancy Stages of Pregnancy Week by Week 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. By Julie Knapp Updated on October 20, 2022 Medically reviewed by Yamel Belen, R.N., IBCLC Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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. 01 of 42 Week 1 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 1 02 of 42 Week 2 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 2 03 of 42 Week 3 of Pregnancy TierneyMJ/Shutterstock Look for the early signs of pregnancy. Buy an at-home pregnancy test. If you have an employer that provides you with health insurance, find out what their policy is on paid family leave benefits. Learn what foods you should avoid during pregnancy. Pregnancy Week 3 04 of 42 Week 4 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 4 05 of 42 Week 5 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 5 06 of 42 Week 6 of Pregnancy ponsulak/Shutterstock If you're ready, start sharing the good news with family members and close friends. Make your partner the official kitty litter changer to avoid toxoplasmosis exposure. Experiment with morning sickness remedies. Decide whether your medical provider is the right fit for you or if you need to request a transfer. Pregnancy Week 6 07 of 42 Week 7 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 7 08 of 42 Week 8 of Pregnancy 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 Pregnancy Week 8 09 of 42 Week 9 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 9 10 of 42 Week 10 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 10 11 of 42 Week 11 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 11 12 of 42 Week 12 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 12 13 of 42 Week 13 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 13 14 of 42 Week 14 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 14 15 of 42 Week 15 of Pregnancy Shutterstock Sign up for a prenatal yoga class. Strengthen your abs with pelvic tilts. Talk to your partner about finding out the sex of your baby. Over 35? Schedule an amniocentesis if it's recommended. Ask your health care provider about the quad marker screen. Pregnancy Week 15 16 of 42 Week 16 of Pregnancy Courtesy of Kelly Zajfen Be sure to get plenty of calcium now, from low-fat dairy foods or supplements. Tour local birth centers. Start your baby registry. Ask friends and relatives about their birthing experiences. Pregnancy Week 16 17 of 42 Week 17 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 17 18 of 42 Week 18 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 18 19 of 42 Week 19 of Pregnancy Pixinoo/shutterstock.com Share ultrasound photos with friends and family. Have a date night. Research nursery furniture. Considering a home birth? Research the pros and cons. Pregnancy Week 19 20 of 42 Week 20 of Pregnancy Talk to your partner about how you'll handle life after baby. Know the symptoms and risks of preeclampsia. Start thinking about a birth plan and what you might want to include in it. Visit your health care provider for an anatomy scan, which usually happens around week 20 of pregnancy Pregnancy Week 20 21 of 42 Week 21 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 21 22 of 42 Week 22 of Pregnancy Work with your gracious baby shower host to plan party logistics. Prevent varicose veins. Avoid crossing your legs and long periods of sitting or standing, which may result in blood pooled in the legs. If your not already then start moisturizing your belly to help keep your skin elastic as it grows. Pregnancy Week 22 23 of 42 Week 23 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 23 24 of 42 Week 24 of Pregnancy Look into child care options for after baby. Start planning the nursery. Get tested for gestational diabetes. Pick up some beloved picture books to start your baby's first library. Pregnancy Week 24 25 of 42 Week 25 of Pregnancy Tetra Images/Corbis If possible, update or attain life and disability insurance, and add chosen guardianship to your will. Write a birth plan. If you need guidance, you can download a birth plan template online. Pre-register at your hospital or birthing center, if possible. Start thinking about your hospital bag. Pregnancy Week 25 26 of 42 Week 26 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 26 27 of 42 Week 27 of Pregnancy Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Start finalizing where the baby will sleep. Research cord blood banking. Find a birth doula, if desired. Talk or sing to your belly. Around week 27, your growing baby can hear your voice and maybe even respond to it. Pregnancy Week 27 28 of 42 Week 28 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 28 29 of 42 Week 29 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 29 30 of 42 Week 30 of Pregnancy Africa Studio/Shutterstock Buy a car seat, stroller, and any other important baby gear that you didn't receive at your shower. Count fetal kicks. Pack your hospital bag—and make sure your partner gets their's ready, too. Know the signs of premature labor. Try exercises designed to help prepare your body for D-day. Pregnancy Week 30 31 of 42 Week 31 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 31 32 of 42 Week 32 of Pregnancy Priscilla Gragg. Plan care for your other children or your pets for when you go into labor. Get a haircut, massage, or any self-care needs now while you can. Start seeing your doctor, midwife, or primary health care provider weekly through delivery. Pregnancy Week 32 33 of 42 Week 33 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 33 34 of 42 Week 34 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 34 35 of 42 Week 35 of Pregnancy Pikul Noorod/Shutterstock Buy a baby book and start reading up on newborns. If you plan to try chestfeeding, consider getting contact info for a lactation consultant in advance. Review your baby registry to see what items you still need to purchase before the baby's arrival. Pregnancy Week 35 36 of 42 Week 36 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 36 37 of 42 Week 37 of Pregnancy Shutterstock If you have other children, be sure to prepare them for their sibling's arrival. Plan for your first few weeks with baby by cooking and freezing a few nights' or weeks' worth of dinners—or asking for others to do it for you! Stock up on diapers and formula, if you plan to use it. Wash the baby clothes and bedding. Pregnancy Week 37 38 of 42 Week 38 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 38 39 of 42 Week 39 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 39 40 of 42 Week 40 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 40 41 of 42 Week 41 of Pregnancy 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. Pregnancy Week 41 42 of 42 Week 42 of Pregnancy wavebreakmedia/shutterstock.com Try a few tricks to bring on labor (or at least keep your mind off it): eat spicy foods, have sex, take a walk, or stimulate your nipples. Discuss with your health care about going to the hospital to get induced. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit