Top 5 Things You Want to Know When You First Find Out You’re Pregnant

Top 5 Things You Want to Know When You First Find Out You’re Pregnant

By The Modern Midwife

 

I’m Marie Louise, known as The Modern Midwife. And right now, I’m not only supporting expectant mothers, I am one. Pregnant with my third baby, I am walking this journey again and feeling the same mix of excitement, responsibility and anticipation that so many of you feel when you see those two lines.

I am proud to be partnering with Ickle Bubba, a brand I genuinely use and trust as I prepare for this next chapter with my own growing family.

Through my work, I support thousands of women with evidence-based guidance, honest conversations and practical preparation. As I prepare to meet my own baby, I am reminded that no matter how many births you have experienced, those early days still feel significant.

Finding out you are pregnant can feel shocking, overwhelming and exciting, sometimes all within a few minutes.

This is where your journey begins. Not just physically, but emotionally too.

There is often an immediate rush of questions.

 

Is this real? 

What happens now?

Is this normal?

When do I see someone?

When is my due date?

 

But first mama, take a breath.

 

In these early days, your body is already doing something extraordinary. You do not need to have everything figured out today. When you have access to evidence-based information and consistent maternity support, research shows you are more likely to feel confident, involved in decisions, and emotionally prepared for birth.

 

Here are the five things I most often guide women through when they first discover they are pregnant.

 

1. Is this real? What happens now?

 

It can feel surreal, and that is completely normal.

From the moment implantation occurs, your body begins producing human chorionic gonadotrophin, the hormone detected in pregnancy tests. Progesterone levels rise to help maintain the uterine lining and support early pregnancy. These hormonal shifts happen quickly, even before visible changes appear.

By the time you miss your period, significant development is already underway. Neural tube formation begins around week five of pregnancy, often before many women know they are pregnant. This is why early nutritional support is so important.

In the UK, you can self refer to your local maternity service as soon as you have a positive test. Your booking appointment usually takes place around eight to ten weeks. At this appointment your midwife will:

- Take a full medical history

- Discuss screening options

- Arrange blood tests

- Estimate your due date

- Begin planning your personalised care

Evidence from large systematic reviews shows that continuity of midwifery care is associated with improved maternal satisfaction, reduced interventions and better overall outcomes. This early connection matters.

 

2. How will I actually feel in the first few weeks?

 

There is no single normal experience of early pregnancy.

Some women feel well. Others experience profound fatigue, nausea and vomiting or emotional shifts. Around seventy to eighty percent of pregnant women experience nausea and or vomiting in the first trimester, largely driven by hormonal changes.

Common early symptoms include:

- Fatigue

- Breast tenderness

- Bloating

- Nausea and or vomiting

- Food aversions

- Heightened sense of smell

- Mood changes

Fatigue is physiological. Your body is increasing blood volume, building the placenta and supporting rapid embryonic development. Rest is protective, and it’s important to rest whenever you can.

However, in the rare case of severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, persistent vomiting leading to dehydration or feeling faint should always prompt contact with your healthcare provider.

 

3. When is my first scan and why does it matter?

 

In the UK, your first routine ultrasound usually takes place between eleven and fourteen weeks.

This scan:

- Provides a more accurate gestational age estimate 

- Screens for certain chromosomal conditions if you choose screening 

- Identifies whether you are carrying more than one baby

First trimester ultrasound dating is more accurate than calculating from your last menstrual period alone, which helps guide ongoing care and screening timelines.

It is often an emotional milestone, but it is also a clinical assessment that supports safe, evidence based planning.

Some mums find it hard to wait until the 12-week scan and seek out a private scan beforehand. Entirely up to you, but always ensure the sonographer is appropriately trained and qualified.

 

4. Should I be taking anything or changing my diet?

 

Early pregnancy nutrition plays a critical role in fetal development, particularly in the first trimester when organ systems are forming.

Current UK recommendations advise:

- Folic acid/folate 400 micrograms daily from pre conception until twelve weeks to reduce the risk of neural tube defects

- Vitamin D 10 micrograms daily throughout pregnancy

Some women require higher doses of folic acid, particularly if they have diabetes, a higher BMI, certain medical conditions, or a previous pregnancy affected by neural tube defects. Your GP or midwife can advise.

DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid, also supports fetal brain and eye development. Rapid brain growth accelerates in the third trimester, but building adequate DHA intake during pregnancy is beneficial. Oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel are natural sources. If you do not consume oily fish, a pregnancy specific omega 3 supplement containing DHA may be worth considering.

 

A balanced diet that includes:

- Protein

- Iron rich foods

- Whole grains

- Vegetables

- Healthy fats

- Adequate hydration

supports both maternal wellbeing and fetal growth.

It does not need to be perfect and with food aversions, it can be tricky to eat well - simply listen to your body! I could only eat cheese sandwiches for weeks during early pregnancy!

 

5. So, what questions should I really be asking?

 

Early pregnancy is the time to begin thinking about the kind of care and experience you want.

Consider:

- What model of care feels right for me?

- Do I want midwife led care or shared care?

- How do I prefer to receive information?

- Who do I want involved in my pregnancy and birth?

- What matters most to me about labour and birth?

Research shows that women who feel informed and actively involved in decision making report more positive birth experiences, regardless of how birth unfolds. When you first find out you are pregnant, there is a lot to process. Excitement, questions, uncertainty and hope can all exist together.

Take it step by step, day by day.

Book your appointment. Start your supplements. Rest when you need to. Ask evidence based questions. Seek reliable support.

Whether you are quietly holding the news to yourself, planning your first scan, or researching baby essentials, this moment matters.

You are growing a human being.

And that is extraordinary.

You have got this. And I am right here with you.