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Guide to Your First Pregnancy

Writer's picture: Josephine FrostJosephine Frost

In this blog post, we focus on being pregnant for the first time, the thoughts and emotions that may arise, and everything in between.


When the Two Lines Appear


Two lines on the pregnancy test appear, and a wave of emotions emerges. Overwhelming joy, anticipation, anxiety, nervousness, or worry are all feelings that may wash over you, much like standing in the ocean and suddenly being knocked over by waves. For others, the emotions may take time to surface. It can be challenging to grasp and comprehend the meaning of those two lines and the thought that a tiny human is beginning to grow inside you. Perhaps you already notice early signs of pregnancy, like nausea or feeling more tired than usual.





Sharing the Pregnancy with Loved Ones


At some point, you may start wondering when to share the news with family and friends. Is there a right time to tell them? Should you wait until after the nuchal translucency scan?

Our recommendation is to listen to yourselves and do what feels right for you. There’s no universally correct or incorrect time. Being pregnant is a significant and life-changing event, especially for the first time, and you might feel the urge to shout it from the rooftops. Some may feel nervous about sharing the news too early, fearing that something might go wrong. However, if something were to happen, the same people you shared your joy with can also help carry some of the sorrow. Grief cannot be prevented; it will be there regardless of whether you shared the pregnancy with others or not.


How Far Along Are You?


To calculate how far along you are, the first day of your last menstrual period and your cycle length are used. With a 28-day cycle, you are considered 4 weeks pregnant when the pregnancy is technically 2 weeks old. In other words, the count starts from the first day of your last period, even though you weren’t pregnant yet.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters:


  • 1st trimester: Weeks 0–12

  • 2nd trimester: Weeks 12–28

  • 3rd trimester: Weeks 29–40


When you are scanned with us or at the hospital, the duration is calculated in weeks and days. For example, 6+2 means you are 6 weeks and 2 days pregnant. There’s a lot to learn when you’re pregnant for the first time, and we recommend using a pregnancy app to keep track of the weeks.


Early Scans and Practicalities


When you discover you’re pregnant, you’ll want to determine how far along you are. You can do this using various pregnancy apps or through an early scan starting from week 5, where you can detect a heartbeat from week 6+0. Many pregnant individuals feel the need for additional scans to check in on their little one and therefore opt for private scans, providing both reassurance and a chance to discuss questions with a professional.

Between 6–10 weeks, you’ll have your first doctor’s appointment. Here, your pregnancy record will be created, and your doctor will inform you about the nuchal translucency scan and general advice for pregnancy. The nuchal translucency scan aims to check for chromosomal abnormalities in the baby and is typically performed around week 12.

Your first midwife appointment will occur between weeks 16–19, when you’re nearly halfway through your pregnancy. Afterward, you’ll attend the 20-week scan, during which your baby will be systematically examined to ensure everything is as it should be. All organs will be checked for proper function, and the overall development will be assessed. Following this, there are no more routine scans in the public system, leaving you to await the day you finally hold your baby in your arms.


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