If you’ve landed on this article, it must be because you just found out you’re pregnant, so let me be the first to say, congratulations! What an exciting and wonderful time. Whether this is your first baby or fifth, every pregnancy comes with such joy and anticipation.

Pregnancy also comes with many unknowns, and that can be a cause of anxiety in some mothers. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t help with that. Some loud voices tell us what to eat, how to sleep, where to give birth, which leaves little room for the true growth of motherhood — the inner spiritual development.

As a 4x mother, I can relate to the emotional roller coaster that comes after a positive pregnancy test. I'd like to share a brief insight into what I'd do and recommend for mothers after that first positive pregnancy test.

*Please remember, this article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.

What to do after a positive pregnancy test for the Christian mama

I’ll never forget my first positive pregnancy test. My husband and I had been trying for years to get pregnant, you can read more about that here, and I had taken dozens of tests by that point. After I peed, I put the test in the bag and set the timer. Then, for three minutes, I stood before my icon corner asking for God’s mercy, over and over again.

I knew He knew what I needed, but I had such a strong feeling the test would be positive. When it was, I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face, and cried out in thanksgiving. I felt such a kinship to the many saints who had gone before me and waited not just a few years for a baby but decades. Sarah, Anna, and Elizabeth, just to name a few.

And though that pregnancy ended in miscarriage, I still recommend the following list for any pregnancy. Whether it lasts one week or 42 weeks, and ends with a healthy baby in your arms.

1. Pray

As I said, asking for God’s mercy was the only prayer I could pray when waiting for the test results. The Jesus Prayers, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”, is the prayer of the heart. When no other prayer fits a situation, that prayer can. And if it’s too long, you can always shorten it to “have mercy on me”.

I also love the prayer of deliverance from troubling times, which says,

“Almighty and merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank Thy divine majesty for Thy loving kindness and tender mercies, that Thou hast heard my humble prayer and graciously vouchsafed to deliver me from my trouble and misery.

Grant me, I beseech Thee, Thy helping grace, that I may obediently walk in Thy holy commandments and lead a sober, righteous and godly life, ever remembering Thy mercies and the blessings that Thou hast undeservedly bestowed upon me; that I may continually offer to Thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

While the evil one tries to steal your joy in the form of anxiety and worry, anchor yourself in Christ. Whether you choose a simple prayer from your heart or a prayer from the Church, don’t forget to take a deep breath and thank God, who is the giver of life.

2. Connect to your womb and baby

It may sound silly, since your little one is smaller than a poppy seed, but connecting to your baby is so important. After you’ve thanked God and taken a deep breath, you can simply put your hands on your belly and say “hello” to your growing little one.

Make the sign of the cross over your belly and tell your baby how much you love them, what your hopes and dreams are, and your feelings around their coming. Even if you are anxious about how it will all work out, your baby can feel your stress or excitement, and communicating with them is a first step in a healthy relationship later on.

And remember, God created women to birth. Only we have a womb to house and grow a new life. Lean into the mystery and recognize that you don’t “need” to do anything. God has designed it all perfectly.

3. Share your news

Sharing your news with whomever you deem necessary is up to you! Personally, I shared my pregnancies very early. My husband is the first to know with varying degrees of casual vs. more “cutesy” announcements. And then family and friends.

We choose to announce right away for three reasons. One, a life is a life, no matter how small, and deserves to be loved and celebrated. Two, we want as many people praying for us as possible. And three, if I miscarry, I want my loved ones to know so they can support us.

If nothing else, I strongly encourage you to tell your priest immediately so that he can pray over you and for you and your baby during proskemede (the service of preparation for communion). You can always ask him not to share your news publicly until you’re ready. But asking him for his prayers is so important, so that your baby is lifted up to the Lord by as many people as possible.

4. Start a list of pregnancy and birth priorities

Many women come to pregnancy with a list of ideas about how they want it to go. Especially if you’ve been trying to conceive (TTC) for a while. So you may already know what (if any) ultrasounds, blood work, or tests you’ll want to pursue. You may also know where you want to give birth and have a whole team ready. But if you don’t, start researching the following list to help you and your husband decide how you want your pregnancy and birth to go. Obviously, leave room for God’s mercy and the Holy Spirit's guidance, but it’s important to have some idea of what you want to happen.

Keep in mind, this list does not have to be solidified within the first week of you finding out you’re pregnant. You have plenty of time to research and pray on each of these, and nothing has to be an impulsive decision. Your first trimester may take all your energy, and this is just to help you get the ball rolling. God gave us 9 months of pregnancy for a reason. ;)

Prenatal ultrasounds and various tests: genetic screens, gestational diabetes test, and GBS
Birth location: home, birth center, hospital
Birth attendant: free birth, birth keeper, traditional midwife, licensed midwife, obstetrician – check out my articles here and here for questions to ask your OB or midwife
Extra attendants: doula, birth photographer, family/friends
Create a birth map of different potential pathways labor and birth may take

Once you’ve considered this list, you’ll be able to create a birth team that supports you and your decisions. Please, don’t simply hire the first OB you come across. Hiring an OB or midwife is one of the most important decisions you’ll make and can have lasting repercussions.

5. Consider your diet and lifestyle choices

I’m sure you’re aware that many conventional OBs will tell you to steer clear of unpasteurized milk or dairy, potentially high mercury foods like swordfish, shark, or tuna, and even to avoid shellfish, fresh salads, or some raw vegetables. But, I’d like to encourage you to research the risks vs. benefits of these potential restrictions.

Raw milk, for instance, is one of God’s most perfect foods. And if you have access to excellently sourced raw milk, you may want to keep that in your diet to fill in nutritional gaps. Check out The Raw Milk Institute for more information about its safety and benefits.

Additionally, Lily Nichols, RDN, discusses the unfortunate nutritional guidelines in the United States. She states, “Current research finds that the nutrients most commonly lacking in a prenatal diet—like vitamins A, B12, B6, zinc, iron, DHA, iodine, and choline—are found in the very foods you’re told to limit by conventional prenatal nutrition guidelines.” (See Real Food for Pregnancy, introduction). If you’re not already taking a prenatal vitamin, a good one acts as an insurance policy and can fill in dietary gaps. If you’re not sure what to eat in the first trimester, read more about that here.

While I’m not encouraging you to eat something harmful to you and your baby, I am simply challenging the common narrative that states pregnant women cannot eat specific foods and see no repercussions. Do your research and consider what is best for you and your baby.

And when it comes to movement, move in a way that feels good and brings you joy.

Most importantly, after you find out you’re pregnant, pause and savor the moment

It’s easy to let the excitement and joy overrun the sanctity of pregnancy. Amidst the moments of preparation, don’t forget to slow down and connect to your body and everything that’s happening. Honor the miracle that God has blessed you with, and don’t be afraid of simply sitting with your husband and acknowledging the moment.

Everything with come together as it should over the 9 months. Time waits for no one, and pregnancy has a way of blurring time. So don’t be afraid of embracing the slowness that is offered with the first trimester.

Before you know it, your birth plans and preferences will fall into place, and plans for labor and birth will unfold.

5 Things to Do After You Find Out You’re Pregnant – Not Your Cookie-Cutter List