You're Pregnant: Making Plans

OK, so you're pregnant. Where do you go from here? Sit down – take a deep breath – and "veg" for a bit. Squelch the urge to panic. Give into the excitement and joy. Scream if you need to. But above all, give yourself a chance to assimilate the news. You have plenty of time for planning – the baby won't be born for nine months or 40 weeks, give or take a few days or weeks. Right now – you, the mother, are the one who needs to be taken care of. If you feel like starting a list, here are some of the things you might put on it.

1. Choose a doctor (or midwife).
2. Choose a hospital.
3. Check insurance coverage (yours or your spouse's).
4. Check into maternity leave (if you're employed) or your spouse's paternity leave (if he has it).

Determining whether or not you are pregnant is the first task ahead of you. Once you've figured out that salient point, you can proceed with the rest of the book (and your life).

Don't Go Hog Wild Just Yet

Resist the urge to go on a spending spree, buying baby clothes, maternity clothes, diapers, cribs, and assorted baby paraphernalia. For one thing, people need something to give you for baby showers, so it's OK to look and make your lists at some retail stores, but it's too early to buy. For another, trust me on this one – you really don't want all that stuff sitting around staring you in the face for 10 months. It will make the time go even more slowly. You have almost a year to wait before the baby is born. Take it easy and don't rush something that can't be rushed – darn it, anyway!

The Absolute Minimum

• First, find out if you're pregnant.
• Take a backup test if necessary.
• Make a list of the things you'll need to do – that is, finding a doctor, a hospital, checking your insurance coverage, and so on.
• Make a doctor's appointment.
• Shout your news from the rooftops.
• Get some sleep – you'll need it!