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.
Exercising when you are pregnant is a wonderful choice to make. You want to start out early in your pregnancy, and remain consistent. This will help you lower your risk of a miscarriage, and can also help shorten how long you are in labor, as well as reducing the risk of having any complications.
Add 300-500 calories a day to your diet while you are pregnant. Don’t forget you are eating for two so you definitely need to increase your caloric intake. Make sure however that you are adding healthy calories into your diet. Adding 500 calories of junk food isn’t going to do anything to help you and the baby.
It is important to see a doctor once you have a pregnancy test that is positive. It is recommended that for the first trimester, you see your practitioner once a month. Typically, most women are seen between 8 and 10 weeks gestation. At this time, blood work is done and your urine is checked for protein and sugar.
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.
Try babysitting a friend’s baby to get more comfortable with caring for a newborn. Having some hands on experience will help you feel more comfortable with the impending birth of your new baby. Don’t take off more than you can chew though as you get farther along in your pregnancy.
Taking prenatal vitamins is essential. Your body needs extra nutrition before, during and after your pregnancy. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start taking these vitamins well before. If you are already pregnant, it’s not too late to start. You will still get the benefits of it. Keep taking them well beyond giving birth. At least until you stop breast feeding.
Although it may be controversial to some, if you are pregnant it may be wise to think over your options. Sometimes you simply are not ready to have a child. With so many options ranging from abortion, to adoption, to having the child, it is in one’s best interests to think it through thoroughly, because the only person you’d end up hurting is the child.
Realize that “morning” sickness can happen at any time of the day and check with your doctor if it seems really bad. Most new parents are only affected by morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is usually one of the first signs that a women picks up on to signify that she may be pregnant. If it is keeping you from being able to keep down any food, see your doctor for ideas on how to help.
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.
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