Finding out you’re pregnant can be an exciting moment! After you celebrate, you might start asking yourself: What should I do next? This guide walks you through the most important first steps after a positive pregnancy test, from booking your first appointment to knowing what to avoid, choosing a prenatal care provider, and getting ready for your baby’s arrival.
Key Takeaways
- Schedule an early doctor’s or midwife’s appointment to confirm your pregnancy and plan your care.
- Begin taking prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, iron, calcium, and DHA.
- Know what to avoid, including alcohol, smoking, and certain foods.
- Select a prenatal care provider: obstetrician (OB), midwife, or family doctor/nurse practitioner.
- Think about hiring a doula for extra emotional and physical support.
- Decide on your birth preferences (where you want to give birth and who will be present during and after delivery).
- Start thinking about maternity and parental leave, since planning early gives you more options.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Book a Doctor’s Appointment
As soon as you know you’re pregnant, call your doctor or a midwifery clinic to set up an appointment, typically around the 8-week mark. At this first visit, your healthcare provider will:
- Confirm your pregnancy with blood tests
- Estimate your due date, often with a dating ultrasound
- Talk about early pregnancy care
- Review any current medications with you
- Help you decide on a prenatal care provider
Early prenatal care is very important for both you and your baby, so don’t wait to make that appointment. If you are still choosing where to give birth, our comparison of Toronto hospitals is a useful next read.
Step 2: Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins help fill in any nutritional gaps and make sure you and your baby get the nutrients you need. Look for vitamins that include:
- Folic acid: Helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.
- Iron: Supports your increased blood volume and helps prevent anemia.
- Calcium: Helps build strong bones for your baby.
- DHA: Helps with brain and eye development.
Tip: Ask your doctor or pharmacist which prenatal vitamins are best for you.
Step 3: Know What to Avoid
Alongside starting good habits, it helps to know what to steer clear of early on. Health Canada and public health guidance generally recommend:
- Alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs: There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid it completely.
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and eggs: These can carry bacteria that are riskier during pregnancy.
- Unpasteurized dairy and soft cheeses: Stick to pasteurized products.
- High-mercury fish: Limit fish like shark, swordfish, and fresh tuna.
- Deli meats: Heat them until steaming hot before eating, or avoid them.
- Caffeine: Most guidance suggests limiting, not eliminating, your intake.
- Some medications and supplements: Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before continuing or starting anything new.
For the full, up-to-date list, see the Government of Canada’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, and always confirm anything specific to your situation with your own healthcare provider.
Step 4: Choose a Prenatal Care Provider
In Ontario, you have a few choices for prenatal care:
Obstetricians (OBs)
OBs are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and childbirth. They handle high-risk pregnancies and can manage complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or early labor. Usually, the OB on call at the hospital will deliver your baby, not necessarily the one you saw during pregnancy.
Find an OB: search the CPSO Physician Register, the official directory of Ontario physicians.
Midwives
Midwives often use a more natural approach, with fewer medical interventions when it’s safe. They care for you during pregnancy, labor, and up to six weeks after the baby is born. They also do home visits after birth and are on call 24/7 for urgent concerns. Because they book up quickly, contact a midwifery clinic early if this option interests you. You do not need a doctor’s referral to see a midwife in Ontario.
Find a midwife: use the Association of Ontario Midwives’ Find a Midwife directory.
Family Doctors & Nurse Practitioners
Some family doctors and nurse practitioners offer prenatal care but may refer you to an OB or midwife for the actual birth. If you don’t currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, Health Care Connect is Ontario’s official service for finding one.
Optional: Consider Hiring a Doula
A doula is a trained professional who offers emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike OBs or midwives, doulas do not provide medical care but help you feel calm and confident.
Doula services usually include:
- 1 or 2 prenatal visits
- Continuous help during labor and birth
- Follow-up visits after the baby is born
Costs range from about $600 to $1,000, depending on the doula’s experience and what they offer.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Prenatal Care Provider
- Does the provider’s approach match my values and birth plan?
- Will this provider personally attend the birth, or might someone else be on call?
- Do I want postpartum care at home? (Midwives usually do this.)
- Where do I want to give birth: hospital, birth center, or home? Our guide to home birth in Toronto can help if that’s an option you’re weighing.
- Will this provider also care for my baby, or do I need a pediatrician?
- Do I prefer a male or female provider?
- What do other parents say about this provider?
Start Planning Your Maternity Leave
It is never too early to start thinking about EI maternity and parental leave, since planning ahead gives you more flexibility around your due date and your return to work. Use our Canada EI Maternity Leave Calculator to estimate your benefits, and see our Toronto pregnancy guide for a full overview of what to sort out first, from OHIP to daycare waitlists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing I should do after finding out I’m pregnant?
Book an appointment with your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or a midwifery clinic as soon as you can. They will confirm your pregnancy, discuss your health history, and help you plan your prenatal care.
How soon should I see a doctor after a positive pregnancy test?
Most providers recommend booking your first prenatal visit around 8 weeks, though it is fine to call earlier. If you have any concerning symptoms, contact your provider or Telehealth Ontario right away.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a midwife in Ontario?
No. You can contact an Ontario midwifery practice directly, without a referral from a doctor. Because midwives book up quickly, it helps to reach out as early as possible.
How much does a doula cost in Toronto?
Doula support in the Toronto area typically ranges from about $600 to $1,000, depending on the doula’s experience and what is included in their package.
Take the Next Step in Your Pregnancy Journey
Pregnancy is thrilling but can also feel overwhelming. Our Ultimate Guide to Having a Baby in Toronto ebook gives you all the details you need about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care in Ontario. Download it for free to get expert insights, listings of hospitals and midwives, and a step-by-step path for a confident pregnancy.