Are you feeling happy, surprised, shocked, or a little scared...? Whatever you're feeling, we're here for you.
The coming nine weeks can feel like a whirlwind. There’s a lot to think about—things to arrange, lifestyle changes, and many questions about what to expect in the months ahead. That’s why this first module includes quite a few articles. We believe that with the right information, you're more than capable of making the decisions that are right for you.
We promise—future modules will have fewer articles!
Each module begins with a short summary like this one, to give you an idea of what to expect during this phase.
In this module:
- How you and your baby are changing
- Partner: your role during this time
- What we will do for you
- Checklist: your to-do’s
How You and Your Baby Are Changing
What’s happening with your baby?
Around week 2, ovulation usually takes place, followed by fertilization. From this moment, the fertilized egg starts dividing at lightning speed. By week 4, it implants itself in your uterus. From week 5, the embryo begins to grow quickly: the heart starts forming and begins beating around week 6. Arms and legs start to take shape from week 7. By week 9, nearly all major organs have been formed, and your baby continues growing—reaching about 2 centimetres in length.
What’s changing in your body?
Your body is already working hard to support your baby with enough oxygen and nutrients. One big change: your blood volume increases by 20 to 40 percent—on average, that’s about 2 extra litres of blood flowing through your body! Your blood vessels widen to handle this extra volume. You might notice more visible veins on your hands, legs, and chest—especially if you have lighter skin.
Partner: Your Role During This Time
These first weeks mark the very beginning of your journey – and it might still feel surreal. Your partner may already be feeling different: tired, nauseous, or emotionally up and down. As a partner, your role now is mainly to be there – listen, offer support, and take things off their plate when needed. You don't have to fix anything, just being present means a lot.
This is also the time for some important decisions. We strongly recommend that you both read up on the nNIPT, the 13-week scan and the 20-week scan. What do you want to know? What if something unexpected shows up? It's best to talk about these things before decisions need to be made.
You’re always welcome to join the check-ups – but it’s not mandatory. You and your partner can decide together what feels right. Whether you're at every appointment or just some, your involvement matters.
How can you support your partner?
- Be understanding – Listen, ask how they’re feeling, and simply be there. Sometimes they just need to vent without solutions.
- Be patient – Emotions can swing in all directions. Try not to take it personally and remember: this too shall pass. But you're absolutely allowed to set boundaries – you don't have to accept everything just because she's pregnant!
- Help around the house – If they’re feeling sick or tired, little gestures like cooking or tidying up can mean a lot.
- Talk about sharing the news – You don’t have to wait until 12 weeks to tell others. Decide together who you’d like to tell and when. Many people appreciate early support, even if things don’t go as hoped.
- Get informed together – The more you know about pregnancy, the better you'll understand what your partner needs. Apps and books can help.
In short: stay involved, be patient, and enjoy this special time together.
What We Will Do
Once you register with our practice, we’ll schedule the following:
- Early pregnancy scan (vitality scan)
This ultrasound is done between 7 and 9 weeks. We check for a heartbeat, the position of the embryo, whether it’s a singleton or twin pregnancy, and how far along you are. - Intake appointment
Around week 8, you’ll come to our clinic for your first appointment. This lasts about 60 minutes. We’ll ask detailed questions to understand your health, family background, and your wishes for the pregnancy. Together we’ll create a personalised care plan. We’ll also share practical tips on nutrition and explain what you’ll need to arrange in the coming months. This includes information about prenatal screening options.
Checklist – Your To-Do’s
- Register with our midwifery practice
- Read the articles in Module 1.
- Not taking folic acid yet? Start today!
Folic acid (also known as vitamin B11) is essential, and you can’t get enough from food alone—even with a healthy diet. This vitamin reduces the risk of spina bifida by up to 50%! You can buy it without a prescription at any pharmacy or drugstore. - Around 8 weeks, you’ll have your first appointment with us. Before that, fill out the questionnaire we’ve emailed you. Also read about your options for prenatal screening.
- Curious about what else is coming up? Check out the full Pregnancy Checklist.
Medication: Always check if it’s safe
Let your GP and pharmacy know you’re pregnant. That way, they won’t prescribe anything that could be harmful.
Already taking medication? Not all meds are unsafe, but for many, we simply don’t know enough. If in doubt, always check with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also use the Lareb Pregnancy Medication Checker to see if a medicine is safe during pregnancy.