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First Trimester
Weeks 1 – 13 · The beginning of everything
Wk 4Take a home pregnancy test and call your OB or midwife to schedule your first prenatal appointment.
Wk 4Stop alcohol, smoking, and all recreational drugs immediately. These cause irreversible harm in early development.
Wk 5Start a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400–800mcg of folic acid. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects.
Wk 5Revise your diet: avoid raw fish, deli meats, undercooked eggs, unpasteurised dairy, and high-mercury fish (swordfish, king mackerel).
Wk 6Limit caffeine to under 200mg per day (roughly 1 cup of coffee). Switch to decaf or herbal tea for remaining cups.
Wk 8Attend your first prenatal appointment. Expect a full blood panel, urine test, blood pressure check, and your due date confirmation.
Wk 8First ultrasound (dating scan). Confirm the heartbeat, gestational age, and your official due date. Use our Due Date Calculator to verify.
Wk 9Review your health insurance. Understand your maternity coverage, deductible, and which hospitals and OBs are in-network.
Wk 10Start moisturizing your belly daily with a stretch mark cream or pure coconut/almond oil. Consistency matters more than brand.
Wk 10Decide when and how to tell your employer about the pregnancy. Check your country's or company's maternity leave policy.
Wk 11Discuss genetic screening options with your provider — NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) screens for chromosomal conditions. Results arrive in ~2 weeks.
Wk 12Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan. A first-trimester ultrasound screening that checks for Down syndrome and other conditions. Usually done between 11–14 weeks.
Wk 13Tell close family and friends! The risk of miscarriage drops significantly after week 12. Take a moment to celebrate.
💡 Morning Sickness Tip: Ginger tea, small frequent meals, and vitamin B6 (25mg, 3x/day) are proven to reduce nausea. Keep plain crackers on your nightstand to eat before getting out of bed.
Second Trimester
Weeks 14 – 27 · The "honeymoon phase"
Wk 14Start shopping for maternity clothes. At minimum, get a well-fitting maternity bra, belly band, and 2–3 comfortable pairs of pants.
Wk 15Announce publicly if you wish. Write a social media post, send a family email, or create a pregnancy announcement card.
Wk 16Start researching and shortlisting pediatricians in your area. The best ones have long waitlists, so book early.
Wk 16Create your baby registry. Focus on essentials (car seat, crib, carrier, breast pump) over novelty items. Keep it concise.
Wk 18You may feel baby's first movements (quickening) — like fluttering or bubbles. It's faint at first but grows stronger every week.
Wk 20Anatomy scan (Level II ultrasound). Your most detailed look yet — checks all organs, limbs, and placenta. You can also find out the sex!
Wk 20Begin planning your nursery. Pick a theme, arrange furniture, and check for any safety hazards (anchor furniture to walls).
Wk 22Sign up for childbirth classes. Options include Lamaze, Bradley Method, HypnoBirthing, and hospital-led classes. Classes fill up fast!
Wk 22Book a lactation consultant (if you plan to breastfeed). Even one pre-natal consultation can dramatically improve your breastfeeding experience.
Wk 24Glucose challenge test (GCT). Screens for gestational diabetes. If positive, a 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT) follows.
Wk 24Viability milestone reached. At 24 weeks, babies born premature have a chance of survival with medical help. A big emotional landmark!
Wk 26Plan a babymoon. A last romantic trip before baby arrives. Travel is safest in the second trimester — check airline policies.
Wk 27Plan your baby shower with a close friend or family member. Keep it in the 28–33 week window for maximum comfort.
💡 Tip: Between weeks 20–24 is the ideal time to book your maternity photoshoot. Your bump is beautifully visible but you're still comfortable enough to move and pose freely.
Third Trimester
Weeks 28 – 40+ · The final stretch
Wk 28Start daily fetal movement tracking. Use our Kick Counter — count 10 movements within 2 hours each day. Contact your provider if activity drops.
Wk 28Rhogam injection (if Rh-negative). This prevents complications in future pregnancies if you have Rh-negative blood. Usually given around week 28.
Wk 29Sleep on your left side. Left-side sleeping improves blood flow to your baby and kidneys. Use a pregnancy pillow for support.
Wk 30Write your birth plan. Document your preferences for pain relief, labour positions, who can be in the room, delayed cord clamping, and skin-to-skin contact.
Wk 32Install the infant car seat. Many fire stations and certified car seat technicians offer free installation checks. Do not leave the hospital without a properly installed seat.
Wk 32Baby shower time! Collect gifts, wash all new baby clothes in fragrance-free detergent, and start stocking the nursery.
Wk 33Pre-register at your hospital or birth centre. Complete the paperwork now so you don't have to do it during labour!
Wk 34Pack your hospital bag for yourself, your partner, and the baby. See our complete list below 👇
Wk 35Tdap vaccine for you and your partner. Protects your newborn from whooping cough (pertussis) before they can receive vaccinations at 2 months.
Wk 36Group B Strep (GBS) test. A vaginal/rectal swab that checks for GBS bacteria. If positive, you'll receive IV antibiotics during labour — completely safe for baby.
Wk 36Finalize the nursery. Wash bedding, stock up on diapers (Newborn + Size 1), wipes, nappy cream, and have a setup of a safe sleep environment (firm mattress, no pillows/bumpers).
Wk 37Learn the signs of true labour vs. Braxton Hicks. Real contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together. Use our Contraction Timer to track timing.
Wk 38Drive the route to the hospital at least once so there are no surprises when the moment arrives — especially important if parking or traffic is a factor.
Wk 39Set up a postpartum support system. Arrange for meal delivery, help with older children, or identify a postpartum doula. The first week at home is the hardest.
Wk 40Rest, rest, rest. Sleep when you can, stay hydrated, and trust your body. If you pass your due date, your provider will discuss induction options — you're almost there! 🎉
Hospital Bag Checklist
Pack by week 34-35 — Pack 3 bags: You, Baby, Partner
👩 For You (Mum)
ID, insurance card & birth plan copies (3 copies)
Comfortable nightgown / button-front pyjamas (2 sets)
Nursing bra & breast pads (even if unsure about breastfeeding)
High-waist postpartum underwear (buy cheap ones — hospital gets messy)
Grip socks / slippers (hospital floors are slippery)
Toiletries: toothbrush, shampoo, lip balm, dry shampoo
Phone charger (extra long cable!)
Snacks: energy bars, trail mix, electrolyte drinks
Entertainment: headphones, downloaded shows, playlist
"Going home" outfit (something loose, like maternity leggings)
👶 For Baby
2–3 newborn onesies (hospitals keep babies warm, so no need to overpack)
1 sleeper/footie pyjamas in Newborn AND 0–3 month size
2 swaddle blankets (hospital provides some, but yours are nicer)
Newborn hat & mittens
Going-home outfit (something cute for photos!)
Infant car seat (ALREADY installed and checked in car)
🧑 For Partner
Change of clothes (1–2 sets), toiletries
Snacks, water bottle, cash for vending machines
Pillow & blanket (hospital chairs are uncomfortable)
Phone & camera fully charged + spare battery pack
💡 Pro Tip: Use a wheeled bag, not a backpack. You'll be navigating corridors post-birth and a wheeled bag is much easier to manage. Also pack a plastic bag for used/dirty items on the way home.
Baby Gear Essentials
What you actually need vs. what sounds nice
✅ Must-Have: Infant car seat — you cannot leave the hospital without one. Check compatibility with your car and pram.
✅ Must-Have: Safe crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress. No bumpers, pillows, or loose bedding.
✅ Must-Have: Baby carrier or wrap (hands-free is a lifesaver for the first 3 months).
✅ Must-Have: Pram/stroller suited to your lifestyle (check folded dimensions if you have a small car).
✅ Must-Have: Electric breast pump — check if your insurance covers it (many do).
✅ Must-Have: Baby monitor — audio at minimum; video if budget allows.
⏸️ Wait & See: Changing table (a mat on the floor works just as well), bouncer, or swing — borrow first to see if your baby likes it.
❌ Skip It: Wipe warmer, bottle steriliser (a pot of boiling water works), and most "baby gadgets" advertised on social media.
Postpartum Prep
Often forgotten — but just as important as the baby gear
Freeze meals now. Batch-cook 10–15 meals in your 3rd trimester. Soups, casseroles, and lasagna are ideal. You will not want to cook for the first 2–4 weeks.
Stock your postpartum recovery kit: peri bottle, mesh hospital underwear, cooling pads, witch hazel, Dermoplast spray, stool softeners. These are essential for vaginal recovery.
Arrange your support village. Confirm who is coming to help in the first weeks — and set clear expectations. Do they cook? Hold baby so you sleep? Manage visitors?
Understand postpartum mental health. "Baby blues" (days 3–5) are normal hormonal shifts. Postpartum depression can appear anytime in the first year. Know the signs and have your provider's number saved.
Schedule your 6-week postpartum checkup before you even leave the hospital. Your recovery matters just as much as the baby's first appointments.
Research your maternity leave paperwork. File any government benefit or insurance claims as early as possible — processing can take weeks.
Add baby to your health insurance. Most plans give you only 30–60 days after birth to add a new dependent. Don't miss this window.
💡 Remember: You cannot pour from an empty cup. Prioritising your own recovery is not selfish — it is the most important thing you can do for your baby.
Track Every Week in Detail
Use our week-by-week tracker for tailored milestones, baby size comparisons, and symptom guides for every single week of your pregnancy.
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