Pregnancy is a wonderful time, except when it’s not. For women who have never been pregnant before, the experience can be anxiety-producing.

The good news is that there are things that you can do to prepare for your first pregnancy and make it as positive an experience as possible.

Here are five tips to psychologically prepare yourself for the first pregnancy:

1. Discuss your fears

It’s natural to have some concerns about having a baby, but talking about them with others can help ease some of those fears. Your partner, friends, and family members may be able to offer you support and encouragement during this time.

2. Create realistic expectations

You’re going to have a baby – and that’s the happiest news for couples. But the pregnancy period may not be all sunshine and rainbow. There will be times when you’ll be frustrated and physically/emotionally exhausted. It’s important to set your expectations realistically. You don’t want to be in a position where parts of the pregnancy period catch you off guard.

3. Go and see a therapist

If you haven’t been to therapy before, now is the time to do it. You’ll need someone who understands what it’s like to be pregnant and can help you through this challenging time. You can discuss with them your anxiety and overall psychological state. A therapist can provide you with the right guidance to do well emotionally during pregnancy.

4. Talk to your partner

In some cases, a pregnancy can be very stressful for both partners and they need to be reassured that they are welcome in the process. It is important that both partners are aware of each other’s needs during this time. So, talking to them and discussing different aspects of the pregnancy can be very comforting.

5. Sort your finances

This is an important step in preparing for parenthood because it will allow you to plan ahead financially, especially if you aren’t financially stable or have past issues with money management. You should also consider how much time off work you’ll need after becoming pregnant and how much money this will cost each month. Being clear on the finances will ease a lot of your anxiety and provide comfort.

Don’t overthink

There are many such tips that can help you prepare for the first pregnancy psychologically. For instance, you should get comfortable asking for help when needed. You should also start cultivating healthier habits, like eliminating fast food, getting enough sleep, exercising, and limiting caffeine consumption.

In any case, it’s easy to get into the trap of overthinking. You’ll always feel slightly anxious before getting pregnant; there will always be slight fear due to uncertainty. As long as you’re physically fit (and there are no evident mental health issues), you’ll have a healthy gestational period.

Visit your OB-GYN, do the necessary tests, consult about the dos/don’ts and prepare to welcome a baby.