Just Found Out You're Pregnant? What Happens Next (and Why You're Probably Scrolling Baby Things Right Now)
Two lines on a test and a very strange afternoon
You did the test. Maybe you did three. Now you are sitting there with a head full of questions and a phone in your hand.
Sound familiar?
I have photographed hundreds of families in Hertfordshire, and so many of them tell me the same thing. The first few weeks are a blur of joy, nerves and a quiet "wait, what happens now?"
So let me walk you through it. Think of this as a chat over a cup of tea (decaf, obviously).
And yes, you are now scrolling everything baby
Be honest. You have looked at prams. You have a secret folder of nursery ideas. You have read about the size of your baby compared to a blueberry, and you have not told anyone yet.
That is probably how you found my website, and I am so glad you did. Welcome. Stay as long as you like.
Save this page. Pin it. Come back to it after your 20 week scan. That is the point where it starts to feel gloriously real, and when planning the fun things, like a bump shoot, tends to get exciting.
The appointments you can expect
Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife will tailor things to you. This is the usual NHS pattern, so you know roughly what is coming:
Booking appointment, around 8 to 10 weeks. Your midwife asks lots of questions about your health and history, and talks you through your options. Bring a list of your own questions too.
Dating scan, around 11 to 14 weeks. Your first scan. It estimates your due date and checks how your baby is developing. For many people this is the moment it hits home.
Midwife check-ups, from around 16 weeks. Blood pressure, urine tests and a chance to ask anything at all. They continue at regular points through pregnancy.
20 week scan, between 18 and 21 weeks. A detailed check of your baby's growth and development. Lots of parents also choose to find out the sex here, if they want to, so decide in advance whether you do.
Which hospital you book with depends on where you live in Hertfordshire, and your GP or midwife will guide you. My families come from all over the county, so here are the maternity services I hear about most:
East Herts, Harlow side: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
Stevenage, Hitchin, Hertford and surrounding areas: Lister Hospital, Stevenage
Watford and west Hertfordshire: Watford General Hospital
Each one has its own antenatal information, scan details and what to bring, so have a look at the website for yours. Scans are offered, not compulsory, and your choice is respected either way.
What you might feel excited about
Hearing the heartbeat for the first time
Choosing (and vetoing) names
Telling your family, or choosing the perfect moment to
Your first kicks, which feel like little bubbles at first
Shopping for tiny clothes you will not be able to resist
Seeing your bump grow
And what might make you nervous
This part matters too, and it is completely normal.
Waiting for the first scan
Wondering when to tell work and family
Birth, and every question that comes with it
Money, space, sleep, and "will I be good at this?"
The sheer amount of conflicting advice online
If you are feeling wobbly, you are not alone. Say it out loud to your midwife, your partner or a friend. Nobody expects you to have it all worked out.
Local Hertfordshire places worth knowing
Here are some local clinics and businesses that come up again and again for families in our area. I am sharing them as a starting point, so always check what suits you and your midwife's advice.
Private and reassurance scans
Many parents add a private scan for a bit of extra reassurance or to see their baby between NHS appointments.
Antenatal classes and birth preparation
Meeting other parents-to-be is half the joy of a class.
Maternity and baby shopping
The little things I'd tell a friend
Write your questions down before every appointment. They vanish the second you sit down.
Take a photo every few weeks. You will forget how your bump looked at each stage, and you will treasure them.
Ask for help early. Whether that is a lift to an appointment or a listening ear.
Enjoy the quiet moments before the baby arrives.
When you are ready to capture it
Later in pregnancy, lots of my mums-to-be book a maternity session. It is a calm, unhurried time to celebrate your bump, with no pressure to look any particular way. And when your baby arrives, I would love to meet them too, with a newborn session in the first couple of weeks.
If you would like to chat, I am always happy to help. Have a look at my maternity and newborn sessions or send me a message.
One last thing
Save this. Pin it. Share it with your partner or your best friend. Come back after your 20 week scan and tell me how it went.
Congratulations. I am so happy for you.
Olivia Christina Photography, 89a High Street, Watton at Stone, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 3SZ. Serving Hertford, Stevenage, St Albans, Hitchin and Ware.
This post is general information and not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your midwife or GP.
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