Tips for Preparing for your First Baby

Pregnancy is a time a lot of women look forward to, and for first-time moms, it’s even more of a big deal but first time or not, two things every intending mother wants is a safe delivery and a healthy baby. In the first three months, it may seem like it would take forever before the baby comes and some women put off getting ready for the arrival of the baby until the sixth or even seventh month. For some others, it’s off to Babies ’R’Us from the moment they get that confirmation from the Doctor. That’s perfectly okay but there are certain things that need to be taken care of as well.

1. Prenatal or antenatal care - This is primarily a preventive type of healthcare; it requires you paying a couple of visits to the doctor on scheduled dates for regular health checkups. The checkups are intended to easily identify, prevent or treat any physiological, biological or nutritional issues the baby may be having. It also designed to ensure the well being of the mother as well to guard against miscarriages or a health issue that is preventable. The Doctor will advise you on what vitamins and supplements you should be taking, what kind of exercises you should be doing and what foods you should eat or stay away from.

2.Read literature on pregnancy and childbirth and Engage with other moms – There are so many useful materials on pregnancy and birthing that would be very useful for a first time mom. These books will help you get more acquainted with your body and help you understand the process your body is going through. It’s always great to have an idea of what to expect and learn from what other mothers have gone through, but remember no two pregnancies are the same so be sure to talk to a Doctor about what reading materials you’re looking to explore.

3. Say goodbye to drugs and alcohol – If you had certain habits that revolved around recreational drug use and alcohol, this is the time to stop as this could be harmful not only to you but to your baby. Alcohol intake during pregnancy has been known to cause fetal alcohol spectral disorder (FASD). This is a general term given to all alcohol-related disorders in babies that range from mental to physical defects. Drug taking during pregnancy has also been known to cause similar disorders and in some cases, the death of the fetus. Drugs like cocaine, have been known to cause early miscarriages.

4. Eat healthy and exercise – Doctors always advise women to engage in some form of exercise during pregnancy. The exercises are intended to strengthen your muscles and also help alleviate any pregnancy discomforts you may have. Pregnant women have been known to suffer from occasional backaches, gestational diabetes, and constipation amongst other health issues; this is why you want to make certain you are eating right and doing enough exercise.

5. Get your nursery ready - This is the part that many moms always look forward to. It’s advisable to start shopping for baby gear and other items for your nursery while still in the early stages of pregnancy because with each day the pregnancy advances, your energy level drops. You will also need to budget for items that you would be using more frequently such as diapers and baby formulas. Be sure to consider safety standards when picking out items like the crib and toys as well.

6. Finally, maintain a positive attitude and just enjoy the journey!

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4 Tips for Choosing Insurance

Are you buying insurance for the first time? Don't worry. While it can seem like a scary endeavor, it's actually much easier than you might think. Here are just a few tips for finding and selecting the right insurance for you.

1. Know the Categories

There are many different kinds of insurance. The most common are things like health insurance and car insurance, but there are also things like travel insurance if you plan on backpacking across Europe during your gap year. Each insurance category will have its own rules and standards, so make sure that you're reading about the right kind during your research. It won't help you to know about car insurance deductibles if your goal is to get life insurance.

2. Start Early

Try to shop for insurance before you actually need it. For example, if you already know that your graduation present will be a car, start familiarizing yourself with auto insurance rates even before the big day. If you're about to start your own business, read up on workers' insurance. Not only will this preparation keep you from making a hasty, last-minute decision, but it will also give you time to scope out deals and discounts.

3. Save Money Where You Can

Speaking of deals, there are many ways to lower your insurance premiums. For example, if you don't want to be considered an "at-risk" client with your life insurance company, stop smoking and drinking a few months before you apply. If you want a better deductible than your neighbors on your homeowners' insurance, install a better security system than they have. Simple measures like these can make a big difference in your bottom line.

4. Compare and Contrast

You should always compare and contrast insurance companies before committing yourself to their services. In fact, there are websites that will do all of the hard work for you, so you have no excuse not to check them out! Since you never know when someone will be offering a better rate or a more comprehensive package, it pays to do your homework. You might even find something like captive insurance that offers a great deal for group captives.

If you're in the market for insurance, these are just a few things to keep in mind before you make any final selections. It doesn't have to be frightening or stressful as long as you know what you're doing!

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