You feel a little out of sorts. Your period is more than a week late, and you've been extra sleepy, too. Perhaps you've even felt a little bit nauseous in the morning. “Could I be pregnant?” you wonder. So, you buy a home pregnancy test — and voila, the stick turns pink!

Maybe this is the happiest moment of your life, and this is the “good news” you've always wanted to receive. Or perhaps it has come at a time that is completely unexpected, and you're feeling the rush of a thousand worries. Either way, everything you thought you would feel at this moment is swirling around you in one moment of time that is changing your life forever: You are pregnant!

Tick, Tock … Set the Countdown Clock!

Once your doctor confirms your pregnancy, you'll likely receive a due date, and then the countdown begins. While nine months sounds like a long time to get ready for your baby's arrival, you'll be surprised at how quickly the time passes by.

In just three trimesters, you'll have so many decisions to make — everything from what to name the baby and where to give birth to how, when, and with whom you'll share the baby. You might even need to make some decisions regarding how or when you'll return to work once the baby is born.

There are lots of practical concerns as well. For instance, where in your home will you make room for baby — and how exactly will you decorate the baby's room? How will you go about baby-proofing your home, and what changes will you and your husband or partner need to make to your lifestyle in order to be the best parents?

With all of these kinds of decisions to make, it's really a good thing that the pregnancy will last nine months — you'll definitely need every bit of that time to get ready!

Make a To-Do List

Once you settle down from your state of euphoria, it's time to start thinking about what you need to do next. Sit down, grab a pen, and start making a to-do list — chances are, once you start telling everyone the good news, you'll be too excited to stay focused on your next steps!

To really stay on top of things, make several lists, including Appointments, Calls to Make, Budget Issues, Insurance Policy Review, and Parental Leave Policy Review. Some newly expectant moms even keep a journal with tabs for each of these items so that they can keep a running record of information throughout their pregnancies. This is one of the best ways to stay organized, and it's something you can carry with you to your doctor's office.

Take Care of Baby

Naturally, you'll want to be sure that you're doing everything possible to ensure the healthy development of your baby — starting with making your first doctor's appointment.

At (or even before) your first office visit, your doctor will likely tell you to start taking prenatal vitamins immediately. This you will do to help meet the extra nutritional requirements necessary for a healthy pregnancy; also, the folic acid in each vitamin will go a long way toward helping to prevent spina bifida.

If you're taking any medications, ask your doctor which are safe to continue taking and which you'll need to either discontinue or modify until after baby's arrival. Don't make any assumptions, especially if this is your first-ever pregnancy.

Take Care of Yourself

One of the items on your to-do list should be a visit to the dentist. Many experts believe that gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to preterm labor — and a premature baby. Another way to take better care of yourself throughout the next nine months is to quit smoking, since cigarette smoke contains carcinogens that not only harm you, but also your unborn baby.

While you're in a quitting mode, try to quit or at least limit caffeine and alcohol as well. On a healthier note, now is the time to be good to yourself — take more naps, improve your eating habits, and get some moderate exercise. After all, you're growing a new life — and you'll want to set the best examples possible later on for baby!