Pregnant, now what?

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April 22, 2023

A positive pregnancy test?

You're pregnant, now what? Once you have recovered from the surprise and joy, all sorts of questions are bound to go through your mind. What do I need to arrange? What foods and vitamins are good for my baby's health? Can I keep exercising? We answer these questions every day and to help you get started, we have listed the first steps for you.

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When to the midwife?

One of the first steps after a positive pregnancy test is to make an appointment with a midwife. It is recommended that you call around week 6 and usually you are already about five to six weeks pregnant when you find out you are expecting. Your first appointment is often scheduled in the 8th week of pregnancy.

Calculate due date

You can calculate for yourself how long you are pregnant:

Write down the date of the first day of your last period.
Count the weeks from that date. That's how many weeks you are pregnant.
About 40 weeks after that date, you go into labor. So the 40 weeks of pregnancy are counted from your last period and not from conception.

Or use our handy tool to instantly determine your due date.

Choosing a midwife that suits you

How do you choose a midwife that suits you? What should you pay attention to?

Look at the size of a midwife's practice: some practices are large, so you will often see several midwives during consultations, some consist of only a single midwife so your midwife may have to call in another practice in case of an emergency.
Look at the facilities that practice offers: does the practice have the ability to make ultrasound's themselves? If not, the practice will not be able to look at your little one directly with a ultrasound during consultation hours if needed.
Also, see if the practice's vision and methods match your needs. This is often something very personal and should be experienced for yourself.

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Zwanger & Zo Midwives Rotterdam

At Zwanger & Zo, you will have two regular midwives that you will see throughout your pregnancy. They will get to know you well during the intake so that our care matches your wishes. Take your time to research which practice suits you before you register.

You can always schedule a no-obligation consultation with us to help you with this. Or read everything you need to know about the Pregnant & So team here.

The midwives at Zwanger & Zo Rotterdam midwife practice

First ultrasound

Your midwife will also make an appointment for the first ultrasound, between 8 and 14 weeks. This will show exactly how long you have been pregnant. It also shows if your baby's heart is beating.

We make all ultrasound's ourselves and at your intake you will receive an early ultrasound as a gift so you can see your little one right away and you will receive the first baby pictures to take with you. Essential information on all ultrasound's during your pregnancy.

Sharing the big news

Although you may want to tell everyone that you are pregnant right away, it can be nice to wait a little longer to do this until the ultrasound term sheet has been made and you see the heart beating, as the chances of a miscarriage are only then small. You can then confidently share the big news with family and friends.

You could use that due date when announcing the news. Just like the photo of the ultrasound - even though you see very little in it yet - it is the first sign of life of that little one in your belly.

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How do I stay healthy during pregnancy?

Vitamins

During pregnancy, it is recommended that you take extra folic acid (vitamin B11). This can reduce your baby's risk of spina bifida, harelip or cleft palate in the first weeks of pregnancy. In addition, it is wise to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily.

Be careful when taking multivitamins because they often include vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can be harmful to your baby. Instead, opt for multivitamins specially designed for pregnant women.

Food and drink

It is very important to pay close attention to your diet during your pregnancy. Here are some important pieces of advice: avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and do not eat raw meat, raw fish and raw milk cheese.

Use of medications

If you are taking medication for an illness or plan to start or stop taking a medication, it is always important to discuss this with your midwife or doctor first. This also applies even if you have purchased your own medicine, ointment, herbs or drops from a drugstore or store. This is because some substances can be harmful to your baby, so it is always wise to seek the advice of a professional.

Pregnancy ailments

Unfortunately, being pregnant can also come with discomforts, or pregnancy ailments. What is a problem for one woman may not be an issue for another. For example, some women suffer from nausea all day, while others have only occasional acid regurgitation.

Morning sickness should really be called pregnancy sickness, because it can affect you 24 hours a day.
Headaches. Especially in the first and third trimester of your pregnancy not a rarity. By the way: some migraineurs are actually relieved of attacks during their pregnancy!
Back pain is another common ailment when you are pregnant. When you are pregnant and your belly grows, the pressure on your pelvis and lower back increases. As a result, you may experience pain symptoms.

Changing the litter box and working in the garden?

With this, you can contract toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite and can lead to miscarriage or death of the baby, especially early in pregnancy. This parasite can be found in the feces of cats, unwashed vegetables and raw meat. Although many people already have antibodies against toxoplasmosis, it is still important to exercise caution. Here are a few things to consider:

Try not to change the litter box yourself
Wash all vegetables thoroughly
Work in the garden with gloves on
Be careful with yard waste

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Exercise and relaxation during pregnancy

Sports

Several studies show that exercising during pregnancy has numerous positive benefits. By exercising during your pregnancy, you experience fewer physical complaints and recover faster from childbirth with a good condition. Moreover, exercising during pregnancy poses no risks to both the mother and the unborn child, provided the pregnancy proceeds normally.

Pregnancy Yoga

Pregnancy yoga is an excellent way to stay fit during your pregnancy and prepare for delivery. It includes various exercises and techniques that help to strengthen the pelvis, improve posture, learn to handle contractions and relax between contractions, among other things.

Mindfulness

A mindful pregnancy and childbirth course is an alternative way to prepare for childbirth and motherhood. The course focuses on creating a relaxed pregnancy, where you can consciously and intensely focus on the experience. The course offers techniques for relaxing and learning to puff, and provides other helpful tips on how to manage contractions.

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What do you need to arrange during your pregnancy?

Childcare

Child care is in high demand, which is why many daycare centers have waiting lists. To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to arrange child care during the first or second month of your pregnancy. It is a good time to start this after the first ultrasound, around 8 weeks of pregnancy. If you don't arrange it then, at least make sure you arrange it during the first trimester of your pregnancy.

Health Insurance

You can change your health insurance at the end of the year. It's nice to know that obstetric care, childbirth and maternity care are not covered by the deductible. Other costs around your pregnancy do fall under the deductible, such as laboratory tests, transportation to the hospital for delivery and medical aftercare after delivery. It is also possible to take out additional insurance, such as supplementary insurance for the personal contribution of maternity care or reimbursement for a pregnancy course. For example, if you have pelvic instability and need treatment, this may be a good idea.

Work

If you do heavy work or work at night, or if there is vibration, radiation or chemicals at your job, discuss with your employer or the company doctor whether adjustments can be made. In some occupations, there is a greater chance of contracting certain viruses or bacteria, such as in healthcare or childcare. This can lead to diseases that can be harmful to your baby when you are pregnant. Therefore, discuss your work with your midwife. You can have blood tests done to see if you have already had a disease.

Maternity leave

Although you are not required to inform your employer of your pregnancy right away, it is recommended. This is because after announcing your pregnancy, you will enjoy severance protection and other privileges for pregnant women. Although maternity leave may seem a long way off when you are still at work, your employer should take it into account and arrange replacements.

Maternity care

You can choose which organization you request maternity care from. Maternity care is necessary care and is therefore covered by every basic insurance. However, you pay a personal contribution for maternity care. If you have supplementary insurance, the co-payment is often reimbursed. It is best to arrange for maternity care between the 12th and 16th week of your pregnancy, because some small providers have a registration stop.

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As you can see, there are many things to think about once you are pregnant. It often does start with choosing a midwife to help you during the next 9 months.

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