Hey mama!! Yeah, you. Do you know what you're doing? Not according to your own standard but, according to what everyone else thinks. Are you doing that? Allow me to let you in on a little secret... Ready? Unsolicited advice is probably what you'll hear the most this pregnancy. No matter how many children you've had, people never stop giving their unwanted advice. 

There a few voices you absolutely should be listening to and, Aunt Tabby that started feeding her baby cereal in his milk at 2 months old isn't the best voice. I've done you the favor of creating a to-do checklist for this first trimester that'll make things easy for you. Disclaimer:: I'm just a birth doula but feel free to take this list to your midwife or doctor for their advice. 

• 6 Weeks and Under
• Congrats!!! Nothing for you to do right now but wait. Feel free to share with your significant other and close friend the great news!!!!
• Most doctors will begin seeing you after 12 weeks unless you've had high-risk pregnancies in the past. 
• 7 Weeks-12 weeks 
• Call around and find a few midwives/doctors you're interested in. Interview them to find the best fit. It doesn't matter your insurance type, you have a right to choose the best fit.
  
• You're probably feeling nauseous and tired. Feel free to take it slow these days. No rushing out of bed. Rise slowly each morning and practice deep breathing exercises for at least 5 min each morning. Eat small, frequent meals. No matter how delicious that 3 course meal sounds... Don't do it. It'll taste worse when it's coming back up. Take it slow and allow yourself to discover your new limits.
  
• Find a Chiropractor in your area and begin seeing them now!! This is the greatest addition to a pregnant mama's life right now. Incorporate this best comfort practices. (You'll thank me in Week 36)
• Lastly, look in that mirror each day and marvel in your beauty. You're an amazing woman and you're doing a mind-blowing thing. Nice to meet you, superwoman!!
• Pregnancy can be loads of fun and, filled with many opportunities to learn more about yourself, your changing body, and the way life will be after baby. You're developing the instincts you'll need now. Congrats mama, to a glorious beginning. See you to talk about the Second Trimester.

So... You're pregnant. Either you're overjoyed or you're not sure how to feel... Oh, and there's another emotion, but it has no actual name yet so we'll just call it meh. What's the next step in the process? Schedule a visit to the doctor? Call family and friends? Immediately throw away all of the chocolate and caffeine you just bought and begin shopping at Whole Foods? If you're looking for an answer to any of those questions you won't find one here. Every woman parents differently and every mother "moms" differently. It's a rite of passage. Kind of like how some men sit to use the restroom, while others stand...Calm down.. We're not going there today. I want this blog to be a friendly and happy place for us moms. There ARE some things we can stand to learn, and there are some things we'd like to figure out on our own.. I'm not here for an unsolicited advice column, but I do want to keep moms informed. So this blog will be used for just that: gentle informing. There will be laughs and many "what the heck moments as we work through the kinks, but if you're here I'm glad to have you and welcome.