Expectant mothers often find that their first pregnancy can be filled with overwhelming changes in their body and emotions. Fortunately, this selection of handpicked tips was culled from the experiences of hundreds of women, doctors, and others who have lived through the exciting nine months that prepare a mother and child for birth.
Keep a record of how much weight you gain. Pregnant women are going to gain weight, but too much can be difficult to lose after the baby is born. On the other hand, not gaining the correct amount of weight can be dangerous for the baby’s development. Knowing what your weight is from week to week can help you make sure that you are on track for a healthy pregnancy.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of premature labor so you can notify your doctor quickly. Of course, you hope you will never need this information. But knowing how to recognize early labor, and what to do about it, could save your baby. The faster your response to preterm labor is, the better the overall outcome will be.
Tell your doctor about any adverse symptoms you face while you’re pregnant, including swollen feet. While this might just be a side effect of your pregnancy, it might also be a symptom of preeclampsia, which is a dangerous condition of high blood pressure that afflicts expecting mothers. In order to have a healthy, normal birth, you should have this condition treated immediately.
Get your flu shot. When pregnant, your immune system is weakened, and you are surely more likely to acquire the flu. This could be dangerous to you and your unborn child.
When you find out you are pregnant the first thing you want to do is go to see the doctor, especially if you feel you have found out late in the pregnancy. This will make sure the doctor has a good look at your health and the child’s health and gets you on a program to fit the two of you best.
Read other peoples birth stories. This will let you see what it is really like, and you will be able to gain some inside tips that will help. People may write about what not to do, and you will benefit learning from their mistakes. You may also learn some positive things to do that you haven’t thought of.
Stop taking any birth control the very minute you find out that you are pregnant. If it has failed to prevent your pregnancy, you do not want to continue it while you are pregnant. It has many negative health effects on the baby and the sooner you stop, the better the chances that the baby will be fine.
A multivitamin is a workhorse during pregnancy. Make sure and take them every day. Multivitamins provide essential folic acid for the developing baby. They also can reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 45% when taken regularly. Set yourself a reminder in your phone or with notes to take it on a regular basis.
Attend a breastfeeding class during pregnancy to learn the basics of nursing. These classes prepare you for the experience of breastfeeding your baby, and may provide tips for dealing with commonly encountered issues. You can also find out about resources for breastfeeding support in your community, such as local La Leche League chapters and meetings.
It makes no difference whether you are having one baby, twins, or even triplets. Chances are good that you are going to experience a great deal of change over the next few months. Remember these insights as you start to notice exciting differences in the way you look, act, and feel as you prepare for the birth of your baby.