The pregnancy journey can be an exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — experience for new moms-to-be. Taking steps to stay healthy and making it a priority to get care before, during and after your pregnancy can help get you and your baby off to a good start.

Research suggests that nearly 1 in 4 women do not begin prenatal care in the first trimester,¹ but those early visits are important. You may delay prenatal appointments due to transportation, coverage or simply having too much on your plate. But support is available, and you don't have to figure it out alone.

Tools and resources are available on everypregnancy.com including a healthy pregnancy quiz, that can help you understand your care needs.

Here are three essential steps to support a healthy pregnancy.

1. Start prenatal care early

If you think you may be pregnant, call a doctor. Early care helps identify health risks and lets you and your provider create a personalized care plan.

Common signs include:

• A missed period
• Sore breasts
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• A slightly higher body temperature

At-home tests are useful, but a doctor's blood test can confirm pregnancy more accurately, especially early on.

"Those first appointments are critical to understanding your health needs and reducing preventable risks," said Dr. Jaime Testa, Medical Director and OB-GYN, UnitedHealthcare. "Starting care early helps both mom and baby get the strongest start possible."

2. Feel prepared for appointments

Prenatal visits continue throughout pregnancy and allow providers to monitor your health, answer questions and adjust care as needed. A week-by-week pregnancy timeline can help explain what to expect. Doctors can also tailor care for chronic conditions, mental health concerns or substance use disorder — without judgment.

Feeling nervous about seeing a doctor is common. For help finding care, contact your insurance provider or local health department. Some doctors may also recommend working with a doula for nonmedical support during and after pregnancy.

If you're unsure what to ask or bring to your appointments, using a prenatal visit checklist can be helpful.

3. Don't skip postpartum care

Your care doesn't stop after delivery. A baby is a big life change and with so much going on, almost 40% of new mothers don't continue care.²

"We know life gets even busier after a baby, but postpartum care is a critical part of recovery," Dr. Testa said. "These visits help moms heal, physically and mentally, and get the support they need."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that new mothers see their provider within the first three weeks after birth, with ongoing care as needed and a comprehensive follow-up visit no later than 12 weeks.

These appointments may help address:

• Mental health
• Physical recovery
• Nursing and infant care
• Diet, exercise and family planning

New moms are encouraged to be open — you don't have to sugarcoat your experience. Up to 1 in 5 women experience postpartum depression,³ and these conditions are treatable.

Support at every step

UnitedHealthcare helps make this journey feel more manageable by connecting expectant and new mothers to reliable resources and support, regardless of financial situation. Pregnancy is a journey — and you don't have to take it alone.

For free information and resources available to anyone, visit everypregnancy.com.

1. State Approaches to Ensuring Healthy Pregnancies Through Prenatal Care, National Conference of State Legislatures
2. Postpartum complications: What you need to know, Mayo Clinic
3. Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4, National Library of Medicine