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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