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0-4 weeks |
- Start/continue taking folic acid.
- Stop smoking.
- Stop or cut down on alcohol.
- Avoid recreational drugs.
- Research your childbirth choices.
* Public Hospital Care * Public hospital antenatal clinics * Midwives Clinics * Team Midwifery/Midwifery Group Practice * General practitioner shared care programs * Private Hospital Care * Birth Centre Care * Home Birth Care * Water births
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5-8 weeks |
- You may start to feel sick for the next three weeks. This is most likely due to a rise in hormone levels. Ginger is a natural stomach settler; however talk your GP if you feel overwhelmed by the feelings of nausea.
- Make your first appointment with your doctor/midwife.
- If you are planning to go overseas check with your doctor/midwife if you are able to have any necessary vaccinations.
- Consider your safety at work.
- Make a dentist appointment.
- Book your antenatal classes.
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9-12 weeks |
- Have your ultrasound.
- Start pregnancy exercising and/or consider modifying existing exercise program.
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13 - 16 weeks |
- Announce your pregnancy
- Stop taking Folic Acid now unless your doctor advises otherwise
- An Amniocentesis test is usually done between weeks 15-18.
- Research maternity entitlements
- Research childcare options
- Put your name down for a private school.
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17 - 20 weeks |
- Start maternity clothes shopping.
- May have another ultrasound to test for physical abnormalities.
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21 - 24 weeks |
- Start preparing the nursery.
- Notify your employer in writing about your pregnancy.
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25 - 28 weeks |
- Begin antenatal classes.
- Start shopping for baby equipment/supplies. It will help your budget to spread the cost over a number of weeks.
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29 - 32 weeks |
- Pack your hospital bag
- Write your birth plan
- Organise a professional photographic session of your gorgeous belly
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33 - 36 weeks |
- If you are having more than one baby you cannot travel by plane after 32 weeks.
- Check you have the baby basics organised.
- Organise baby announcement stationery.
- Buy two nursing bras, breast pads and sanitary pads.
- Write your birth plan
- Stock up on groceries and make a few meals to freeze for when you first come home.
- Book a nappy service if you plan to use one.
- Understand what an Apgar score tells you about the health of your newborn baby.
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37 - 40 weeks |
- If you are pregnant with a single baby you cannot travel by air after 36 weeks.
- Keep the digital camera/mobile phone charged at all times.
- Discuss your birth plan with your birth partner and doctor/midwife
- Make a list of phone numbers for your partner. Text is the easiest and quickest way to let everyone know baby has arrived.
- Find the quickest route to hospital.
- Have your birth partner fill in a diary with their activities and location for the next few weeks so you know where he or she is at all times.
- Take time out just for you with a pregnancy massage, have your nails done (but don't put on any nail polish) and have your hair cut.
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