I'm pregnant, now what? Pregnancy and postpartum guide

1. Look after your habits from day one

Your baby's most critical development happens in the first weeks. That's why a varied, balanced diet and good hydration are essential.

• Prioritise foods rich in essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, iodine and omega-3, and completely eliminate alcohol and tobacco.
• Avoid raw or undercooked meats, cured meats that haven't been previously frozen, and unpasteurised dairy to prevent infections such as toxoplasmosis or listeriosis. Wash thoroughly any fruit and vegetables you eat raw, avoid large fish (high in mercury) and make sure all fish and seafood is well cooked or previously frozen.
• Listen to your body. The first trimester can come with intense tiredness; respect its needs and adapt your physical activity or start gentle exercise.
• Ensure proper supplementation. If you haven't started already, begin active folic acid and iodine as soon as possible — essential for the development of the baby's neural tube and nervous system.

2. Book your first midwife appointment (weeks 8-10)

Your first contact with the health system usually happens between weeks 8 and 10 with the midwife at your health centre. If you have private insurance or an obstetrician, you can also book a first visit with them.

At this appointment your maternity record is opened, your history is recorded, your due date is calculated and the first-trimester blood work is scheduled along with the week 12 ultrasound (chromosomal anomaly screening). Initial questions are answered and your pregnancy follow-up is planned.

Although care in public and private centres meets the minimum requirements, many families feel routine appointments can be impersonal and don't always offer the time needed to resolve every question. If you're looking for closer, more personalised support, my individual consultations give you an exclusive space for you and your partner.

3. Physical and mental preparation for motherhood (weeks 28-30)

Attending birth and parenting preparation classes is key to:

• Inform and prepare yourself: understanding the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding.
• Understand and manage fears: birth is a physiological process; understanding it reduces uncertainty and supports a more positive, conscious experience.
• Prepare for parenting: breastfeeding, practical newborn care, ergonomic babywearing, and more.

The public system ensures your pregnancy is clinically safe, but often lacks the time to prepare you physically and emotionally in an exclusive way. I offer two birth and motherhood preparation formats adapted to your and your partner's real schedules and needs.

4. Design your conscious birth plan (week 34)

The birth plan is a document recognised by the Ministry of Health in which you can express your preferences and wishes regarding your baby's birth.

It's not about filling in a standard template without understanding it; it's about knowing your rights, learning what real options your hospital offers and making informed decisions with your partner.

I offer an exclusive session for you and your partner, where we analyse all the options to design a conscious, safe birth plan adapted to your preferences.

5. The moment has come: when to go to hospital? (weeks 37-42)

As the end of pregnancy approaches, it's normal to wonder when it's time to go to hospital. Although every birth is different, these are the most common signs when contractions are regular and effective:

• They last around 60 seconds.
• They come every 3-5 minutes.
• They continue for at least 1-2 hours.
• They become increasingly intense.
• They don't go away with rest.

You should also go to hospital if:

• You notice fluid loss from the vagina (waters breaking).
• You have heavy bleeding, similar to or greater than a period.
• You notice a significant decrease in your baby's movements.
• You have a fever above 38 °C, intense abdominal pain, significant dizziness or general malaise.

If in doubt, consult your midwife or go to your hospital. It's always better to be assessed and confirm everything is fine.

1. Prioritise yourself and your baby

Your body has just been through an intense physical process and needs time to recover. During the first weeks, your only priority should be to rest, nourish yourself well and bond with your baby. Delegate household tasks and ask for help if you need it.

2. Schedule your postpartum check-ups

Within the usual protocol, you'll attend two key appointments:

• For the baby: the first visit with the paediatrician and paediatric nurse (usually scheduled between days 5 and 7 of life).
• For you: the check-up with the midwife at your health centre (usually 7-10 days after birth).

Breastfeeding difficulties, physical recovery or questions about baby care often appear well before that first appointment. That's why my postpartum services support you from the moment you arrive home, with personalised, close and unhurried care.