Whether this pregnancy was planned or is unplanned, there are certain things you should know. When you first find out you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  Know that A Friend 4U is here to offer friendship, support during your pregnancy, practical help, community resources, and even some gifts to encourage you along the way. If you need assistance, keep reading for more information on how A Friend 4U can support you!

1. Investigate health insurance.

You’ll need to know what your health insurance plan covers regarding prenatal care, delivery costs, and care for your baby. By calling your health insurance company and asking for the benefits department, you’ll be able to know your coverage.  If you don’t have insurance, you may qualify for Medicaid to help with anticipated expenses.

2. Find an OBGYN or Mid-wife.

If you have an insurance provider, you can check out their preferred providers.

3. Schedule a prenatal appointment.

Your first prenatal appointment usually occurs in the second month, between six and eight weeks of pregnancy. Some healthcare providers won’t see you until you’re at least eight weeks pregnant. However, you’ll want to get on their calendar well before eight weeks.

Before your appointment, make a note of the first day of your last period. This will help your provider. Also, you may want to write down any questions you might have for your provider.

4. Take your prenatal vitamin.

If you haven’t started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now’s the time to start. It’s a good idea to get enough folic acid while trying to conceive and during your first trimester. This will help your baby grow healthy and strong.

5. Consult your provider about medications you’re taking.

There are several drugs – even some over-the-counter ones – that aren’t safe during pregnancy. However, talk with your provider before you stop taking your medications. In addition, you should ask your provider what medications, supplements, and vitamins are safe to take.

6. Be aware of certain activities which could be harmful.

Some activities, jobs, and hobbies can be dangerous to you and your developing baby. For example, certain cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, and lead in drinking water from old pipes should be avoided.

If you’re routinely exposed to chemicals, heavy metals (like lead or mercury), certain biologic agents, or radiation – which are common at some research and medical jobs – you’ll need to make changes as quickly as possible.

7. Stock your kitchen with healthy stuff.

Stock your pantry, fridge, and freezer with pregnancy-friendly foods. In addition to this, you should cut out cigarettes, cigars, alcohol and limit your caffeine to less than 200 mg per day (that’s about one 11-ounce cup of coffee).

8. Get relief from morning sickness.

Unfortunately, “morning sickness” isn’t limited to mornings. Nearly 75% of pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first trimester. For mild cases, try eating small, frequent meals and snacks and sticking to bland, room-temperature foods. Ginger and acupressure bands have also worked for some women. If these things don’t help, talk with your provider about taking vitamin B6 or an anti-nausea medication.

9. Get enough sleep

With early pregnancy, exhaustion is more prominent than you think. So getting more rest by turning in early – even if it makes you feel like a grandma— will help tremendously.

10. Treat yourself! 

Remember being pregnant is challenging. Find something to do to treat yourself. Perhaps it’s watching an episode of your favorite show, or going to your favorite store, or taking a walk around your local park for some fresh air.  It doesn’t have to cost much or anything, just someone that fills you.  A lot of change happens to your body during pregnancy, so you need to give yourself some grace.

Know that A Friend 4U can help with anything on this list.  For support, resources, and friendship during this challenging season, why not reach out to us?  Contact us! We are happy to help in any way we can!

It’s common to want great friends. Friends who care about you, spend time making sure you’re doing well, and who genuinely want you to succeed. Friendship is a wonderful thing, and we all strive to have great ones. However, sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to practically show you care when someone you value is facing challenges.

Here are practical ways to help you show someone who pregnant some unconditional love and support. We want to help you be that resource they reach out to when they are in need, and that friend they KNOW they can count on:

• Take a friend for a cup of coffee. Small acts of kindness go a very long way. Extend the offer to take a friend out to her favorite coffee shop and buy her favorite drink. It’s a small little gesture, affordable and won’t break the bank, and the friend will really appreciate the time and effort you’re pouring into the friendship.  It also gives her an opportunity for her to share her feelings, fears and emotions she’s going through while pregnant.
  • Think about this: How would you feel if you had a rough day and your friend texted you, asking the two of you meet up for coffee the next day, coffee on her? If it were us, we know it would be a great blessing – a great joy – and absolutely provide the light needed at the end of a long day. Friends help friends be better people!
• Babysit older children so she can take a nap. Small acts, we will keep repeating it. Even the smallest of offers like going to your exhausted friend’s house for a couple hours to keep the older kids busy while she naps will make her day.
  • Maybe even those chores that everyone despises and dreads doing? The laundry, the dishwasher, offering to grab some milk at the grocery store on your way over to her house… the list goes on. See if there are any chores like that you can just do without asking for a pregnant friend in need.
• Remember her on holidays and her birthday – she may have no one in her life to say she is valued and loved. Small things… sound familiar? Just make a note on your planner or work calendar to reach out to her on these important days. Even if you didn’t wake up knowing it was her special day, she doesn’t need to know that. To her, she needs to know she is remembered, valued, and thought of.

No matter the situation, whether you or a friend are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, looking for support during pregnancy, or in general resources during your pregnancy – our community is here for you! These practical suggestions may seem so simple, but they’ll add up to those around you and make all of the difference for someone who is pregnant to feel seen, heard, valued and understood.