Dealing with a pregnancy can be a scary and difficult thing to do, especially if it is your first time. If you’re a first time mom or a concerned husband, read on to see what kinds of things you ought to expect and be aware of during a pregnancy.
Take time every day to relax and enjoy yourself and your pregnancy. Pregnancy is a stressful time, and once the baby is born you will have much less time to yourself. Take advantage of the time now to relax, meditate, and reconnect with yourself and your unborn child. Your blood pressure will thank you.
Avoid using over the counter medicines for digestive issues like heartburn, upset stomach and constipation. The more medicines we keep out of our bodies during pregnancy the better. Ginger tea, acupuncture and peppermint oils have all been shown to help with pregnancy stomach issues.
Walk around the facilities of the place that you will be giving birth. Feeling comfortable about your birthing facility is a good way to have a smooth labor experience. Check a couple different places to find out what you like. Also, check to be sure their facility is up to your standards.
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.
If you are pregnant and concerned with unsightly stretch marks post-pregnancy, it would be wise to invest in some cocoa butter. It has been shown that regular use of cocoa butter during and after pregnancy reduce and/or eliminate the appearance of unsightly stretch marks. So go get yourself a tub of it today!
Once you have determined if you are having a boy or girl it is a good time to start decorating a room and picking out clothes. The more time you have before the baby actually arrives to prepare the better because the room will turn out nicer and you’ll have more time to select better clothes.
Check into hiring a doula for your birth experiences and for the period right after. Doulas are mothers’ helpers who are there to provide non-medical support during the labor process and the post partum period. Having a doula will help you to have a shorter and more satisfying birth experience.
If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, do not let the state of your breasts during pregnancy concern you. The amount of growth or leakage you experience–if any–has no bearing on your ultimate ability to breastfeed. There is no reason to pump prior to delivery, either, as the hormones that enable your body to produce milk do not kick in until the postpartum period.
When you are pregnant it may be beneficial to find a support group. Being a pregnant woman is certainly not easy. Between the emotions, and the physical sicknesses that accompany it , it can be quite a trying time. Find friends, and others that have been through it that can help support you till delivery day.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about and keep in mind, when dealing with a pregnancy to ensure a healthy, happy baby. Make sure to be aware of the advice in this article at all times, so that you can know what you should and shouldn’t do for your baby.