Your To-Do Checklist for TTC, Pregnancy and Beyond (2024)

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Growing your family is a monumental life event. But as exciting as it is, it’s also overwhelming. After all, there’s a lot to do. To help pregnant people and moms-to-be keep track of it all the moving pieces, we’ve compiled this handy pregnancy checklist by week. Here, experts walk you through the key tasks for every stage of the journey.

In this article:

TTC checklist

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 4 to 8

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 8 to 12

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 12 to 16

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 16 to 20

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 20 to 24

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 24 to 28

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 28 to 32

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 32 to 36

Pregnancy checklist for weeks 36 until delivery

First month postpartum

TTC Checklist

Before you even take the fateful pregnancy test, there are some things you’ll want to consider while trying to conceive. Most of these have to do with health and medical preparation, but keep in mind that even with all your best planning, conception can take time for couples. In fact, Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn and women’s sexual health expert, notes that “it can generally take 6 to 12 months to get pregnant for the average couple.” Below, a pre-pregnancy preparation list to help:

Start taking prenatal vitamins

Talk to relatives about your family medical history
This includes birth defects, miscarriages and genetic disorders

Get a preconception checkup

Speak with with your provider about any existing conditions that may make conception difficult, such as obesity and endometriosis

Assess if genetic testing is necessary prior to pregnancy

Get a tetanus booster, as well as German measles and chicken pox immunizations
You won’t be allowed to get these vaccinations during pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to be caught up beforehand

See the dentist for a regular cleaning and cavity check

Speak to your provider about the the best methods for conception
Plus, understand the peak fertile window during your menstrual cycle

Discuss your diet with your provider
Also discuss any supplements, herbs and recreational drugs to avoid when trying to conceive

Consider starting the search for a hospital or birth center

If you’re self-employed, apply for a private disability policy

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 4 to 8

There’s no feeling quite like seeing that positive pregnancy test. You may not think there’s much to tackle during these early stages, but there are some key logistics you’ll want to get a headstart on—especially considering how quickly the pregnancy to-do list can grow.

Take a pregnancy test
Tell your partner the good news (or take a test together!)

Find a prenatal care provider in your insurance network

Schedule your first prenatal checkup

Check your health insurance policy to see what prenatal and childbirth care is covered

Figure out how pregnancy, baby and maternity leave will affect your finances

Create a savings plan for your child’s future expenses and education
Companies like Stash can help you set up a custodial account

Estimate how much raising a baby will cost and start saving accordingly

Go to your first prenatal checkup (right around week 8)

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 8 to 12

During this month of pregnancy, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to discuss any testing you’d like to get done with your provider, based on your maternal age and other risk factors, Ross says.

Discuss any prenatal testing you should (or want) to get with your provider
This can include any invasive genetic testing, chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis (though this test occurs later, between 16 and 18 weeks)

Consider doing a first trimester screening and non-invasive prenatal testing
These can help determine the risk of any chromosomal abnormalities in baby (between weeks 11 and 14)

Complete your nuchal translucency screening (between weeks 11 and 14)

If you’ve been planning to change your last name before baby is born, now is a good time.
Companies like HitchSwitch can help make the process stress-free

Go to your next provider appointment

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 12 to 16

As you officially enter the second trimester, you’ll start to feel a little more energetic as the morning sickness passes. This is the perfect time to share the news and celebrate with friends and family, if you haven’t already, as well as start to get organized for life after baby—starting with maternity leave.

Get the flu and Covid vaccines if it’s the season

If you haven’t already, get into a healthy pregnancy workout routine
Sign up for a class or download a training app

If you haven’t already, send out pregnancy announcement cards or come up with creative ways to announce your pregnancy to family and friends

Consider telling your manager, direct reports and coworkers about your pregnancy

Start planning your maternity leave

Go to your provider visit

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 16 to 20

You’re almost at the midpoint of your pregnancy! During this month, you’ll get your anatomy scan, which will confirm baby’s sex, as well as continue to get more blood work done to ensure you and baby are progressing well.

Get an ultrasound or maternal serum AFP blood test (between week 16 and 18) to detect neural tube defects

Start decorating your nursery
You may also consider enlisting professional designers

Get started on your baby registry

Look into childcare options

Begin buying maternity clothes—or consider renting them

Go to your provider appointment

Have your mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around week 20)

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 20 to 24

Keep working through all those to-dos—and lean on loved ones and mom friends for their recommendations and experiences when it comes to all things baby gear, pediatricians and childbirth prep. Just be sure to take any advice with a grain of salt, as their experience may not be exactly like yours.

Start interviewing pediatricians

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 24 to 28

Toward the end of your second trimester, you’ll want to start thinking about some logistics you may not have considered, like writing a will, getting life insurance and updating beneficiaries. It can be overwhelming and scary to think about, but these are important safeguards you’ll be glad to have checked off in the long run.

Finalize your baby registry

If hosting, send out baby shower invites

Update or write your will
Make sure to include directions for baby’s inheritance and guardianship; you may even be able to complete it online

Purchase life insurance
Companies like Policygenius can make it hassle-free

Update your 401K and retirement account beneficiaries

If using a doula, start interviews

Begin childcare interviews

Go to your provider visit

Do your glucose challenge screening test

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 28 to 32

You’ll be meeting baby pretty soon! Now’s the perfect time to make sure your birth preferences are ironed out and your house is ready for baby’s arrival, as well as your postpartum recovery.

Babyproof the house

Start fetal kick counts

Create a birth plan with your partner

Round out your pregnancy wardrobe with third trimester clothes, or rent some

Enjoy your baby shower event

Send baby shower thank you notes for gifts
A good rule of thumb is to start one week after your shower

Take a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class, if you so choose

If you want to bank baby’s cord blood, discuss it with your provider and figure out where and order your kit

Cook and freeze meals to have on hand after delivery

Go to your provider visits (two this month)

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 32 to 36

Use these weeks to get any last-minute tasks done, like packing your hospital bag, assembling any remaining baby gear and prepping for those first few days at home. Below some pregnancy checklist action items to set you up for success:

Buy any baby items you still need

Prepare a baby first aid kit

Finish painting and designing the nursery

Install baby’s car seat and get it inspected

Pack your hospital bag

Find out what screening tests your hospital routinely gives newborns
Also talk to your provider about any additional tests you’d like to run

Go to your provider visits (two this month)

Do your vagin*l Group B strep test (week 35 to 37)

Get your whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine (week 27 to 36)

Get the RSV vaccine if it’s RSV season (September through January)
Note that your provider may recommend baby get the RSV vaccine for newborns after birth instead, if available

Pregnancy Checklist for Weeks 36 Until Delivery

Get ready to meet baby soon! During this time, your provider will likely check in with you frequently to assess how you’re feeling, as well as monitor baby’s well-being and positioning.

Wash baby’s clothes with newborn laundry detergent

Go to your provider visits (weekly until delivery)

If needed, take a non-stress test

Get an ultrasound to check baby’s size and positioning, if necessary

If recommended, go in for a biophysical profile

First Month Postpartum

Welcoming a new baby into your family and home will take some time to adjust to. During that first month postpartum, lean on your community for help and support as you want it. Plus, as you tend to baby’s health, don’t forget to also take care of your own recovery and schedule visits with your provider.

Go to pediatrician’s visits (likely two to three times this month)

Have baby get their first Hepatitis B vaccine
Their second dose will be between 1 and 2 months old

Ask pediatrician about Vitamin D drops for breastfed babies

See a lactation consultant to help with breastfeeding, if needed

Schedule your postpartum provider visit (as needed after birth)

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circ*mstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Your Ultimate Checklist of Baby Essentials

14 Postpartum Essentials You’ll Need for Recovery

9 Things I Wish I Had Known About Birth Before I Had My First Baby