So You Just Found Out You’re Pregnant? What to Do Next.

From the “holy sh-t” moment to the first doctor’s visit - here’s your calm, no-BS guide to what comes next.

Date: September 18, 2025
By: The formie Team

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I remember it so clearly. The first sign. More tired than usual, I yanked my bra off, popped my pyjamas on and plonked myself down onto the couch after a long day, only to find that my breasts felt heavier, harder, and so much sorer than usual. This sudden weight and momentum was a noticeable signal that something was different. I froze. Whipped out my calendar. And quickly searched for the date of my last period and there it was. I was late.

The next day I ran to the shops to get pregnancy tests. First one: negative. Next: faint. Third: undeniably positive.

I had no idea what to do next. But luckily for you, you will. Here’s your no-BS guide to those very first steps after seeing the two lines.

Step 1 – Take a Breath (and Maybe Another Test)

So you’ve peed on the stick and you’ve got two red lines: positive. You might have even peed on two or three, just to check you’re not imagining things.

First things first, sit with your feelings for a moment. You might feel excited, like this has been the moment you’ve been waiting and praying for. You might feel dread and uncertainty. Or you might feel absolutely nothing.

Finding out you’re pregnant is a massive piece of information. It’s completely normal to run the whole gamut of emotions - from elation to ambivalence. The important thing is that you allow yourself to feel what you feel. You might even give yourself a couple of days, or a week, to see which feeling settles in before making any big decisions.

Confiding in your partner if you have one, or someone you trust, can also help you sort through your thoughts. Just know: this is a massive change, and any feelings of doubt, overwhelm, or “what now?” are completely valid.

Step 2 – Book Your First Doctor’s Appointment

After you’ve taken a moment to process, the next step is confirming your pregnancy through a doctor and getting set up for antenatal care.

I personally used Instant Scripts to order a pathology request for a pregnancy blood test - because honestly, it saved me the runaround of booking an appointment just to get a referral, then having to book another one to get results. A blood test looks for your HCG levels, which is the hormone that indicates pregnancy.

Once you’ve got that confirmation, book in with your GP for an antenatal appointment (sometimes it helps to call and request this specifically, as it isn’t always an option when booking online). During that first visit, your doctor will talk through your medical history, lifestyle factors like smoking or drinking, and discuss the different pathways of pregnancy care.

They’ll also order a range of blood and urine tests (things like iron levels, rubella immunity, HIV, Hepatitis, blood group, and others), and may recommend genetic testing or screening based on your background. You’ll likely also get a referral for your dating and viability scan (typically performed at 6-10 weeks) and the option for a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) at around 10 weeks.

My advice? Don’t let yourself feel rushed. Doctors can be busy, but this is your body and your pregnancy - ask questions, request copies of your results, and take the time you need to feel informed.

Step 3 – Start with Gentle Lifestyle Shifts

The first trimester is both critical for your baby’s development and, let’s be honest, often rough on you. Tiredness, nausea, sore boobs, food aversions - sometimes it feels like a cruel joke that the “early weeks” are the most intense.

At this stage, the biggest lifestyle shifts are simple but important:

• No smoking, drinking, or recreational drugs. If you’re struggling, speak to your doctor - there’s support available.
  
  

• Start (or continue) prenatal vitamins. Folic acid is especially important, but your doctor will advise based on your test results.
  
  

• Stay hydrated. Aim for 8–12 cups of water a day.
  
  

• Eat what you can. Yes, a balanced diet is ideal, but if you’re surviving on toast and crackers because nausea has knocked you sideways - don’t beat yourself up. This stage is about getting through.
  
  

• Keep moving. You may feel like going to the gym is the absolute last thing that you want to do, and that’s okay. Aim to get some gentle exercise each day by walking or even swimming. It will help with your mental health too.
  
  

Step 4 – Know What to Expect in the First Trimester

Here’s the truth: no two pregnancies look the same. Some people glide through the first trimester feeling like nothing’s changed. Others (like me) get hit with every symptom in the book.

Common ones include:

• Fatigue (the kind that makes 7 p.m. feel like midnight)
  
  

• Nausea or vomiting
  
  

• Sore or swollen breasts
  
  

• Constipation (or, less commonly, diarrhea)
  
  

• Mood swings and brain fog
  
  

• Difficulty sleeping
  
  

• Light spotting. Some women notice light spotting in early pregnancy, and it can be completely normal. Still, it’s always best to check in with your doctor to be safe.
  
  

It can feel alarming, but most of it is your body adjusting to rising hormone levels and the incredible work of building a tiny human. If something feels off or unmanageable, check in with your doctor. Otherwise, remind yourself - this is normal.

Step 5 – Build Your Support System Early

There’s this unspoken rule that you “shouldn’t” tell anyone until after 12 weeks. But here’s the thing: the first trimester is usually when you feel the worst - and sometimes when you need the most support.

Sharing the news with one or two trusted people - a partner, a close friend, or a family member - can make the early weeks feel less isolating. Some women also choose to let a manager or colleague know, especially if nausea, fatigue, or appointments start to affect work. Having a small circle who’s in the loop means that if things get tough (physically or emotionally), you’re not carrying it all on your own - you’ve got people ready to step in with support.

You might also find comfort in pregnancy apps, online forums, or local groups. Just having a community of women who are also googling “6 weeks pregnant can’t stop crying” at 3 a.m. can make you feel less alone.

Step 6 – Give Yourself Permission to Feel It All

Pregnancy isn’t always the glowing, hand-on-bump experience we’re sold. Some days you’ll feel joy. Some days you’ll feel fear. And some days you’ll just want to crawl into bed and stay there.

The best thing you can do is give yourself permission to feel it all. No judgment, no shame. Gentle self-care rituals - a nap, a bath, journaling, or even just saying “no” more often - can make a huge difference in this early stage.

Because here’s the thing: you don’t need to “do” pregnancy perfectly. You just need to move through it in a way that works for you.

The Bottom Line

That moment you see two lines changes everything. But you don’t have to have it all figured out in a day. Take it step by step: process the news, book your appointment, make small changes, and build your support system. The rest? It unfolds with time.

You’ve got this - even if right now, you don’t quite believe it yet.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not licensed medical professionals. Always seek the advice of your physician, obstetrician, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or pregnancy.