You’re pregnant, what now?

Congratulations! Right now you might be feeling happy, excited, shocked, or confused – don’t worry if you are not over the moon as changes in your hormone levels can make you feel more vulnerable and emotional. It’s also normal to feel anxious, uncertain and even scared as you are venturing into new territory and taking on the biggest challenge of your adult life! If this is your second or third child, it’s still normal to feel apprehensive as not all births are the same.

If you did a home pregnancy test, have it confirmed by your GP or practice nurse. They can then schedule your antenatal appointments and scans – antenatal appointments monitor your pregnancy up to the birth and are a great opportunity to discuss anything that concerns you.

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the first antenatal appointment is between 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. Write down any questions you might have in advance – there is so much to take in that you might forget when the day comes.

At your first antenatal appointment, you will be asked to share information about your health: any illnesses, operations, allergies, whether you are taking medication and about previous pregnancies or miscarriages. You might be asked about your family history too. Your healthcare professional will ask you when your last period was to estimate your due date (your baby is likely to be born two weeks either side of this date). Your blood pressure will be taken, a urine sample tested and you will be weighed. If you are overweight or underweight, you will be given advice on diet and lifestyle changes.

More antenatal appointments will be scheduled throughout your pregnancy. If your pregnancy is at risk, you might have more appointments and scans, but even if everything is going well, do attend all your antenatal visits. Monitoring how you are doing at each stage of pregnancy is very important. It’s also recommended to get in touch with your local hospital as soon as possible - some maternity units are very busy.

If you are worried about your finances, talk to your bank manager and employer (if you are not aware of their maternity package and allowances).You can find out about maternity benefits by visiting www.citizensinformation.ie.