Are you truly prepared for getting pregnant, and if you are a first-timer, are you prepared for the fact that “baby makes three”? Many women stress about becoming pregnant. A lot of couples want everything to be perfect before they even start to try. This could become an obsession. What couples must realize is that nothing is perfect and that a baby is made one day at a time, one tiny cell at a time.

Luckily, when conception occurs, usually both the mom and the dad have had a good time. It’s not until two weeks later that the realization of being pregnant becomes a reality. Then you normally have nine months to prepare. But the truth is, you should prepare a little bit before trying to conceive. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Who will be your doctor or midwife? Has one been picked out before? Make sure they will take new patients or will be able to take you if you are already their patient. Find out about their philosophies, practices, etc. This is so important to iron out beforehand if you can. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck with a doctor or midwife that you don’t agree with or get along with. While changing physicians or midwives during the pregnancy is possible, it’s just better to have all this taken care of beforehand.

2. Find out the cost of the physician or midwife. If you have insurance, make sure you can file with your healthcare provider. Find out if there are any deductibles or co-pays. Have the funds available to cover these incidentals. If you are paying cash, make sure you know how much is required. Most physicians and midwives will allow you to make payments. Normally, the requirement is for a good down payment and the bill to be paid in full by the seventh month of pregnancy. If you don’t have private insurance and aren’t able to pay cash, find out if you qualify for state insurance (Medicaid).

3. Likewise, find out what it costs to deliver a baby at your local hospitals and birthing centers. I have found a large degree of difference in the going rates for delivering a baby. Again, most hospitals and birthing centers will require the bill to be paid in full prior to giving birth.

4. Aside from knowing how you will pay for the pregnancy and birth, and having your healthcare provider covered, you really don’t have to do anything else beforehand except to have good habits – and if you can, a preconception visit with your healthcare provider would be ideal. Don’t stress about this, though; a lot of women see their doctors for the first time during the first prenatal visit.

5. During the pregnancy, you’ll have time to decorate and furnish the nursery. There is a whole other checklist of items and things that need to be done once the pregnancy is established. But don’t worry about these things right now. Just relax and enjoy the journey to getting there!