Step 1: Confirm with Your Doctor
Call your OB, midwife, or GP to schedule a confirmation appointment and dating ultrasound. Most practices schedule the first prenatal appointment around 8–10 weeks. Some will do blood work first to confirm hCG levels.
Step 2: Stop These Immediately
If you haven't already:
- Stop alcohol completely — no safe amount is established in pregnancy
- Stop smoking (and limit secondhand smoke exposure)
- Stop recreational drugs
- Stop any medications not approved for pregnancy — call your prescribing doctor before stopping anything
- Stop high-dose vitamin A supplements (preformed retinol)
Step 3: Start or Continue These
What to begin immediately:
- Start (or continue) prenatal vitamins with 400–800 mcg folic acid
- Add vitamin D if not already included (1,000–2,000 IU daily)
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of folate-rich foods (leafy greens, beans, fortified cereals)
- Stay hydrated — aim for 8–10 glasses of water daily
- Get 7–9 hours of sleep
What Week Are You In?
Pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), not conception. If your period was 4 weeks ago, you're technically 4 weeks pregnant — even though the embryo is only about 2 weeks old. Your due date is calculated as 40 weeks from your LMP.
When to Tell People
Many couples wait until after the first trimester (12 weeks) to share the news, as miscarriage risk drops significantly after this point. But there's no rule — some people share immediately with close family and friends for support, especially during the often-difficult first trimester.
Tip: Download a pregnancy tracking app or bookmark our week-by-week guides at CheckPregnancy. Knowing what's developing each week makes the early weeks much less anxious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take another pregnancy test to confirm?
No — a positive home pregnancy test is reliable. A second test is only worthwhile if you got a faint line and want reassurance, or if the test was expired or used incorrectly.
I'm taking medication — is it safe in pregnancy?
Call your prescribing doctor as soon as possible. Do not stop medications without guidance, as some conditions (depression, epilepsy, thyroid disease) are more dangerous to an untreated pregnancy than the medication itself. Your doctor will help you weigh the risks.
Should I change my diet right away?
The most important changes: start a prenatal vitamin, avoid alcohol and raw/high-mercury fish, and make sure you're getting enough folate. A wholesale dietary overhaul isn't necessary — focus on the essentials first.