Just Found Out You’re Pregnant? Here’s Your Step 1-2-3 Guide

First things first, congratulations! If you just saw those two pink lines, you might be feeling excited, overwhelmed or maybe even a little unsure about what comes next. Take a deep breath. You don’t need to have everything figured out today. Pregnancy is a journey and the best thing you can do is take it one step at a time.

To keep it simple, here’s a step by step guide for newly pregnant women in Philadelphia:

Step 1: Choose Your Care Provider

Your first real decision is who you want to care for you during pregnancy and birth. In Philly, you have options:

• OB-GYNs – Doctors who specialize in pregnancy and birth. You’ll find them at all major Philadelphia hospitals.

• Midwives are providers who specialize in mainly natural, low-intervention birth. Many work at hospitals or at The Birth Center in Bryn Mawr.

Ask yourself: Do I want a medical, high-tech approach (OB) or a more holistic, personal approach (midwife)? Both are valid, what matters is what feels right for you.

Action Plan:

• If you already have an OB/GYN you trust, call and schedule your first prenatal appointment (usually around 8–10 weeks).

• If you’re interested in midwifery care, check out practices like Lifecycle WomanCare in Bryn Mawr or midwifery teams at Einstein.

• Don’t be afraid to interview more than one provider before deciding!

Step 2: Build Your Support System

Pregnancy isn’t just about medical care, it’s about emotional and physical support, too. This is where doulas come in.

• What is a doula? A doula is a trained professional who supports you through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum offering guidance, comfort measures, and encouragement.

  
  

Action Plan:

• If you’re curious, start by Googling “Philadelphia doula” (hi, you found me!) and reach out to schedule a consultation.

• Talk with your husband/partner or family about what kind of support you’d like during labor emotional, physical, informational.

• Join a local prenatal yoga class (like at Three Queens Yoga or Mama’s Wellness Joint) to connect with other pregnant moms.

Step 3: Start Small with Healthy Habits

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight but a few small steps now will make a big difference:

• Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid (this helps prevent neural tube defects). Needed & WeNatal are great options.

• Stay hydrated — aim for water, seltzer, or herbal teas (like ginger or peppermint for nausea).

• Move your body — walking is one of the best exercises in pregnancy, and Philly has great spots: Wissahickon trails, Kelly Drive, or just your neighborhood.

• Rest when you can — fatigue is normal in the first trimester. Don’t feel guilty about naps.

  
  

Concrete Action:

• Buy a prenatal vitamin today if you haven’t already.

• Pick one Philly park or trail you can walk once a week.

• Start a simple bedtime routine to help you wind down earlier.

You don’t have to know your birth plan today. You don’t need to have the nursery finished tomorrow. The most important thing is taking small, steady steps and surrounding yourself with people who make you feel safe and supported.

If you’re newly pregnant in Philadelphia and want to talk through your options, I’d love to connect. As a doula, I help families sort through the noise, prepare for birth, and feel confident about their choices.