If you and your partner have been trying for a baby and you just found out the test was positive, this is a time for celebration. Of course, you will be feeling apprehensive if this is your first time, which is perfectly natural and in order to prepare you for parenthood, here are a few tips from the experts.
- Share the experience with your partner – While he isn’t actually giving birth, parenthood is all about sharing the load and there are many ways your partner can offer support. Some men are a little reluctant to get involved, but with your help, he will soon enjoy the experience, which should be shared with both parents.
- Online resources – Search online for a pregnancy blog that offers useful tips on all aspects of preparing for motherhood. Google is your best buddy and if you get used to Google speech, you can get instant answers to specific questions without using your hands. When you have a couple of toddlers around you, hands-free is the only way to go, which you will discover in the near future.
- Connect with other mums – Join mum forums on social media and get some much-needed moral support when you need it. There are even mum apps with large online communities, plus you can access essential information about every aspect of motherhood. Here is a great review for Action Wipes, essential for every mum.
- Stay active – The worst thing you can do is think you have suddenly become fragile and must sit with a cushion on each side; read up on physical exercise for pregnant women and make sure that your body gets a suitable work out, especially during the last 3 months. Your partner could enrol with you in a preparation course, which will get you both ready for an incredible experience.
- Balanced diet – It is even more important that you get all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrition your body needs now you are feeding for two! Stay hydrated, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and avoid smoking or consuming alcohol for the duration of your term.
- Find out the gender – This makes it so much easier to prepare; you can also choose a name in advance and the baby shower arrangements can be made, whether for a boy or girl. From decorating the nursery to buying clothes, knowing the sex of your baby really helps.
- Take any help that is offered – You might be thinking a supermum doesn’t need any help, yet when it comes down to it, being a parent is much easier with some help now and then. People understand how tiring and stressful motherhood can be and all your friends will want to help in any way they can. It’s a fine line between having the support you need and not, so bite the bullet and accept any offers of assistance, no matter how small.
You might be interested in employee pregnancy rights, which entitle you to many things and your boss should allow you maternity leave (paid), which means you can carry on with your career when your child is 1 year old.
