Checklist: Pregnancy Timeline

See the dentist

Preconception checkup

Get tetanus booster and German measles and chicken pox immunizations

Talk to relatives about family medical history including birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders

Start taking prenatal vitamins

If self employed, apply for a private disability policy 

Take pregnancy test

Tell your partner the good news

Find an OB/GYN

Schedule prenatal checkup

Research insurance — how does it deal with pregnancy and children?

Make sure partner has short and long term disability

Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect finances

Create a savings plan for your child's future expenses

Make a budget to start saving now

First prenatal checkup (week 4-8)

Start buying maternity clothes

Chorionic villus sampling

Nuchal translucency screening (week 10-12)

Chromosomal disorder screening (week 10-14)

Doctor visit

Start planning maternity leave and postpartum work schedule

Tell boss about pregnancy 

Doctor visit

Milestone: Tell friends and family? 

Start planning nursery

Look into childcare options

Doctor visit

Standard mid-pregnancy ultrasound

Amniocentesis and triple screen (week 15-18)

Milestone: Find out baby's gender?

Milestone: Hear baby's heartbeat with stethoscope?

Milestone: First baby kick?

Milestone: Belly starting to show?

Start pediatrician interviews

Research and sign up for childbirth classes

Figure out baby shower logistics (date, host, location, guests, etc.)

If banking cord blood, figure out where and order kit

Doctor visit

Update or write will, including directions for child's inheritance and guardianship

Purchase life insurance

Update 401K and retirement account beneficiaries

Start childcare interviews

Register for shower gifts

Send out shower invites

Doctor visit

Babyproof house

Start fetal kick counts

Prepare birth plan

Baby shower

Send thank-you notes for gifts (start one week after shower)

Cook and freeze meals for after delivery

Start childbirth class

Doctor visits (two this month)

Milestone: Others feel baby move?

Buy any baby items still needed

Get a low-maintenance haircut

Print and fill out emergency sheets

Finish painting nursery

Get car seat inspected

Pack hospital bag

Contact local cord blood bank if interested in donating

Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns

Speak with doctor about any additional tests you'd like run

Doctor visits (two this month)

Group B strep test (week 35-37)

Milestone: Last day of work

Milestone: Last week to fly safely (week 35)

Doctor visits (weekly until delivery)

Non-stress test

Biophysical profile

Hepatitis B #1 (birth-two months)

Pediatrician visit (week 2-4)

Baby old enough to be accepted at some daycares (week 6)

Meet with manager to discuss work hours and return to projects

Hepatitis B #2 (month 1-4)

Milestone: First day back at work

Pediatrician visit 

DtaP, Hib, polio, PCV and rotovirus vaccines

Milestone: First smile