Having a baby is an exciting time, but is a period of your life which is filled with uncertainty and possibly anxiety like you’ve never experienced. While it’s something you’ll never be able to fully control, there are some things you can do to reduce stress and know that you’re doing the best for yourself and your baby.
Eat as well as you can
It’s easy to give advice of ‘eat healthy when you’re pregnant,’ and it’s, of course, something every mom-to-be wants to do. But in practice, when you’re struggling with morning sickness and having major food aversions, it can often be a struggle eating anything at all.
A good tip would be to drink a small glass of orange juice each day as that will count to one of your five a day. And things like homemade smoothies are also good. They’re packed with good stuff and something that your nauseous stomach can probably manage. Eat what you can. Don’t beat yourself up if it’s not the best, but just do what you can.
In the second trimester when the sickness subsides, you can get back to eating your normal, healthy diet and make up for the previous weeks. During pregnancy it’s easy to become deficient in vitamins like iron, so talk to your doctor about taking a good pregnancy supplement. Eating the healthiest foods you can will help to keep you feeling well, and it will provide the best home for your growing baby.
Make time for relaxation
While pregnancy is a wonderful and magical time in your life, it can also come with a lot of stress and anxiety. Many mothers-to-be worry about everything from their health and the health of their growing baby, to finances, work commitments, their relationship and looking after the baby when it’s born. It’s a lot to consider and take on. So, it’s no wonder that pregnancy can leave you feeling a little frazzled mentally.
One way to get on top of things is to make time for relaxation. This can give you a chance to clear your mind and generally get into a more positive mindset. Once you reach your second trimester you can make an appointment for a pregnancy massage. You can have a warm bubble bath. Go and socialize with friends and enjoy a tasty meal or a relaxed afternoon tea.
Things like journaling and meditation can also be really helpful. We all lead busy lives, and sadly for many of us, family and work commitments don’t slow down just because we’re pregnant. But do make some time in your schedule just to relax, it’s good for you and good for the baby.
Don’t forget to continue your relaxation routine after the baby is born (and into parenthood too) whenever you can grab a spare minute. Things like CBD oil can be useful as it only takes a minute to use, and it’s effective and safe. Sources such as learningcbdoil.com have more information.
Get prepared
One of the most daunting things about having a baby is when you sit down and work out exactly how much they need- and how much it will all cost. Starting early is definitely a good idea since it allows you to spread the cost. Once you’ve reached your second trimester, you should begin buying things your baby will need.
Focus on the larger and more expensive items first: stroller, car seat, nursery furniture. If you have family or friends that want to help you out with these big ticket items, don’t be too proud to accept!
Stockpile things like diapers and wipes since you’ll need lots of them. However, don’t go overboard on things like baby clothes. You’re likely to be given lots of these things by friends and relatives, and it’s easy to end up with too many. A good idea would be to create a registry/ wishlist on a site like Amazon. That way if anyone asks what you want or need you can send them the list, and they can choose something that’s within their budget. They won’t just be guessing and buying things you don’t need.
Take care of yourself
Take care of your needs as well. Make sure you have functional clothes to help you move with ease and safety, given your physical condition. A good tip is to look into compression garments for pregnancy.
Compression socks aim to help reduce swelling by applying a certain level of pressure to your ankles and legs. This mechanism may help alleviate leg discomfort that you may be experiencing. Moreover, wearing them may reduce the chances of developing blood clots that may lead to varicose veins and circulation-related issues.
Save money
Another thing you can start doing throughout the course of your pregnancy is save money. Put a little bit away each week and by the time the baby arrives, you’ll have money on hand for those last minute essentials. If you run out of anything, you don’t have to worry about the expense in your weekly budget. For the first few weeks or months, you’ll have the cash to just go out and buy what you need.
Attend all of your appointments
The care you receive during pregnancy comes with many optional considerations. You can refuse any screenings, tests, scans or anything else that you feel uncomfortable with. For example, some parents turn down screening tests for conditions like Downs Syndrome because they think it will cause unnecessary worry. The outcome of tests like these wouldn’t affect the course of your pregnancy in anyway. You know you would have the baby regardless of the test results.
You should always go to your scheduled appointments. Discuss your care with your midwife or doctor and get personal, tailored advice. These professionals are used to looking after women just like you and have guided thousands through a happy and healthy pregnancy. Certain tests and regularly scheduled appointments are for the well-being of you and your baby. Unless you have any specific reason not to go (like the genetic testing) then it’s important to attend all of your appointments.
Regular appointments can catch any potential issues early which could impact your health, such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia and give you the best course of treatment. They can spot changes in your baby’s growth or other issues which could potentially save their lives. It’s always your choice, but be aware that health professionals are knowledgeable in their area and are just doing what they can to take care of you.
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