The pregnancy test is positive and confirms what you may already have suspected: you're expecting a baby! Whether you have been planning the pregnancy for a long time or it comes as a surprise, if the news initially triggers emotional chaos within you, that's completely normal. Joy, confusion, excitement, and the question of what comes next—all of these feelings and thoughts may be swirling around right now. To help you organize your thoughts a bit, this article provides an overview of what happens in the first period after a positive pregnancy test and what you need to consider now.

1. Allow your feelings

Even if the little miracle in your belly is only a few millimeters in size, it is probably already causing quite a stir in your life. Hormones ensure that your body adjusts to the pregnancy. The first changes you might notice can include breast tenderness, pulling in the lower abdomen, or nausea. It is not unusual for pregnancy to feel unreal for many women despite these physical signs until the belly visibly grows.

Additionally, a real carousel of thoughts can be triggered by the positive pregnancy test. Perhaps questions about your professional future, your living situation, or how you will manage everyday life with a baby are running through your mind. Even if you have wanted a child for a long time, these mixed feelings are completely normal . If you have a partner, they will probably feel the same way. Take your time to let all feelings and thoughts sink in—after all, pregnancy is a major change that will affect your entire life. Talking about it, sharing your joy as well as your uncertainties and doubts, helps both of you and makes the situation more tangible.

2. Taking care of you

From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body is performing incredible feats. Therefore, pay special attention to yourself during this time by, for example, reducing stress as much as possible and taking mindful breaks . Listen to your gut feeling—quite literally. Whether it's sports, relaxation, or calm: you know best what is good for you right now.

Especially when it is your first pregnancy, information from various sources and well-meaning advice can quickly lead to uncertainty. Try to counteract this with positive thoughts . This can help you remember that you can trust your body and the natural process of development. Your body knows exactly what to do and takes good care of your baby. Don't let every twinge or pressure make you nervous, and don't worry if you don't feel much in the first few weeks. Every pregnancy is unique and feels different. If something worries you, you can of course always discuss it with your gynecologist or, as soon as you have found a midwife , talk it through with her.

3. Adjust your habits

Not only your mental well-being, but also your physical well-being deserves a lot of attention now, because a healthy lifestyle creates the conditions for a trouble-free pregnancy and healthy development for your baby. Through the umbilical cord , your body supplies your child with everything it needs. For your lifestyle, this may mean adjusting some of your habits for the coming months. You should pay particular attention to a healthy and balanced diet; after all, all the vitamins and nutrients you consume also nourish your little explorer. To learn more about what you should pay attention to now, read the article „ Proper Nutrition During Pregnancy ".

Exercise during pregnancy is also good—and even extremely important. Depending on the type of sport you do, it may be necessary to make some modifications to your routine as your pregnancy progresses. In our article “ ”, you will learn which sports you can continue to do without any problems during pregnancy and where some caution is advised.

4. Schedule an appointment with the gynecologist

One of the first official steps after a positive pregnancy test is usually to call your gynecologist. Whether you make the first prenatal appointment as soon as you find out about your pregnancy or wait a few days to process the news is up to you and your intuition.

During the first prenatal check-up, your doctor can confirm, depending on how far along the pregnancy is, that you are going to be a mom through a blood test or an ultrasound examination. During the visit to the gynecological practice, the estimated due date of your little explorer will also be determined, and you may already receive your Mother's Pass . The first examination is also a good opportunity to clarify questions and to allay concerns. For many women, pregnancy becomes more real at this point. More about the process of the initial preventive examination LILLYDOO gynecologist Christian explains in the linked video.

5. Announce the pregnancy

Once you are sure that you are going to become a mother, sooner or later the question will arise of when, how, and with whom you want to share the exciting news. There is no fixed rule for this; the decision is entirely up to you. Many women wait until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy to share their pregnancy with their environment, as the risk of miscarriage is relatively high until that time. Whether you want to first come to terms with the idea of a growing baby bump in peace and perhaps only share the news with your partner, or whether you prefer to tell family and friends about your happiness right away—do what feels right for you.

6. Inform your employer

Unlike announcing your pregnancy to family and friends, informing your employer is more about practical considerations. Legally, you are not obliged to inform your employer about your pregnancy by a certain time or at all. Apart from the fact that you probably won't be able to hide your growing baby bump for much longer, you already have certain rights in your profession from the very beginning of your pregnancy through the . These include, among other things, protection against dismissal and the right to additional breaks. For this reason, it also makes sense to share the news with your employer. Many women also wait for the critical first 12 weeks before sharing the news with their professional environment. However, after that, it is sensible and fair not to delay the announcement for too long. This way, your boss knows when and for how long you plan to go on maternity leave and can arrange for a replacement early on.

7. Find a midwife

If you would like a midwife to accompany you through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, it is worth considering starting the search early . First points of contact on the way to finding the right midwife can be pregnancy counseling centers, maternity clinics and birthing centers, your gynecologist, other moms, or the internet. Especially if you would like to give birth with a midwife on call or if you wish for a home birth, it is advisable to start gathering information early. Our LILLYDOO midwife Sissi recommends beginning the search immediately after a positive pregnancy test. Further tips and tricks for finding a midwife You can also find in our magazine article.

The first days and weeks of pregnancy are especially exciting. Maybe you need to sort out your thoughts first, and the hormones are doing their part to fuel the emotional chaos. But you will surely soon get used to the new situation, and together with your belly, the anticipation for your baby will also grow. We wish you all the best for the coming months and hope that we may accompany you on your journey through pregnancy!