If this is your first pregnancy, there are many things to get done prior to the arrival of the baby. Getting your house prepared, can be a choir and fun at the same time. Seek help from friends and family and follow the advice below to make the transition from pregnancy to having a baby in the home flow smoothly.
Write a birth plan early in your pregnancy. Keep a list of the things you absolutely want to have happen, like the presence of an older sibling, and things you absolutely don’t want unless it begins to affect the safety of the baby. If you have these things written down ahead of time, you can discuss them with your birth team and make sure they happen.
Before you get pregnant, it is wise to visit your doctor. You can make sure you are in excellent health, and they will also give you some advice that can help you out. They can tell you when you should be ovulating, and some vitamins that you should be taking.
Start exercising for a healthy you and a healthy baby. Pregnancy is not an excuse to sit on the couch for nine months. Being active during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriages and can help shorten the length of your labor. Keeping yourself active will go a long way towards having a smooth pregnancy.
If you get a headache when you are pregnant, make sure to stay away from aspirin. Aspirin has been proven to cause harm in both an expectant mother and baby. It is best to ask your doctor what medications are safe for you to use. Also, try relieving head pressure by using a cool compress.
Write a journal about your experiences through pregnancy! This will give you a place to write down the mundane and the sublime. Write down new things you notice and things that worry you! This will be a great tool for remembering things to ask your doctor about and it is something you can pass down to your child or their significant other as they prepare for your grandchildren.
Use a doula. Your doula would be your birth coach. They are a wealth of information on pregnancy, as well as a calming presence. They also can teach your partner how to be an excellent birth coach. This can help give you confidence that you have a qualified coach with you.
Do not skip your prenatal appointments. Every appointment that you have is a chance for your doctor or midwife to identify any issues while it is early enough to do something about it. Make your appointments your highest priority and do not allow anything to make you skip them.
Ensure that you’re eating lots of healthy protein while pregnant. This is not only good for you, but also for the developing child within you. Some foods that contain protein are eggs, chicken, tofu, hamburger meat, and sunflower seeds.
Always tell your physician about any changes you experience during your pregnancy, even something as seemingly minor as swollen feet. While this may be a normal part of the pregnancy, it may be a symptom of preeclampsia. This dangerous condition causes high blood pressure in pregnant women. Preeclampsia should be addressed during pregnancy to ensure a healthy childbirth experience.
As you can see, there are many things that you need to get ready before baby comes. Being prepared will give you peace of mind and be able to get your head in the right place without worrying if you have everything ready! Making sure your house is ready for baby should be crossed off your list before baby’s arrival.