Pregnancy is like a battlefield that you must prepare yourself for. You will go through horrible mood swings, painful swelling, loss of sleep, and be uncomfortable for a long period of time. Use this article to help you learn how to deal with pregnancy as best as you can and when it’s all over, you will be the happiest person in the world!
Eat for one! Many people think that because they are pregnant, they can eat as much as they want. This is not true. If you want to be able to get your body back after you give birth, you need to make sure that you only raise your calories by a very little bit (you should consume around 2,000 calories a day, no more!)
Eat a lot of little meals to fight off an upset stomach in the first trimester. When your stomach has something inside it, it often feels a bit better. Eat fresh, light foods that won’t weigh on your stomach. Stick with fruits and vegetables for the majority of your meals.
Your pregnancy means the decisions are yours. Just because someone in your office or a distant relative doesn’t believe that you should drink coffee or lift something heavier than 20 pounds doesn’t mean they control your pregnancy decisions. Talk to your doctor and make your decisions with them. Ignore unsolicited comments from others.
If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, make sure to do your research before you give birth. Many women have their mind set on breastfeeding and then have no idea how to do it when the time comes. You can get advice through breastfeeding classes at local hospitals or buy books that give you techniques.
Take a childbirth class. Classes are offered in many doctors’ offices and online. Topics covered include nutrition, exercise, relaxation, epidural anesthesia, pain relief in labor, preparing for labor and childbirth, as well as breastfeeding and baby care. Classes are generally offered once a week over a six to eight week period. Studies show that couples that attend regular childbirth classes are prepared and relaxed during childbirth.
One of the best things that you can do when you are pregnant, is to purchase books on pregnancy that will allow you to develop a structure for what to expect in the upcoming months. This will assure that there are no surprises so that you are prepared when the time comes to give birth.
When you become pregnant, make sure that you inform your job, as soon as possible, so that you are able to file for a maternity leave when the time comes. This will allow you to prepare in advance and allow your employer to find a replacement, for the time you are out.
Say no to exorbitant amounts of food! You need to raise your caloric intake when you’re pregnant, but that doesn’t need to mean eating all the time. There is nothing wrong with kindly declining an offer of food.
Don’t start worrying if you aren’t “showing” your pregnancy for a while. Most new moms don’t start showing visible signs of pregnancy until they are in their 6th month. Subsequent pregnancies usually show earlier in the course of the pregnancy as the body has already been there and done that.
You have learned how hard pregnancy can be on your body. You have also read a lot of sound advice on how to deal with being pregnant. While it is not easy and at times, can be unbearable for everyone involved, it is definitely worth all the pain to bring a child into this world.