Baby Matters: Your One And Only Pregnancy Guide
Baby Matters: Your One And Only Pregnancy Guide
When you are expecting a child, it is one of the most wonderful times of your life. Still, pregnancy brings with it many questions, and each pregnancy is different. If you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy, this article can help you address them with some time-tested advice.
Taking a prenatal vitamin prior to pregnancy is a smart and safe idea. There are many of your baby's vital organs, such as the spinal cord and brain, which begin developing right from the beginning of pregnancy. If you wish to have a healthy baby, start taking prenatal vitamins even before you become pregnant. These supplements should include calcium, iron, and folic acid.
Create a birth plan. Having a written document that expresses your wishes for your delivery will help the medical professionals involved understand what you want your experience to be like. Include things like who should be present at the birth and what procedures you want to stay away from during the delivery.
Pay attention to your body, and don't write strange things off as simply symptoms of pregnancy. For example, swelling of the joints and face is common during pregnancy, but excessive and sudden swelling can herald pre-eclampsia. If you notice any symptoms that seem strange or haven't been mentioned as expected by your doctor, give them a call.
Buy new shoes. As your pregnancy progresses, the extra weight will throw off your center of gravity, putting additional pressure on your feet. This can cause both fluid retention and flat feet. Purchase some comfortable shoes that give you good support; they will alleviate some of the previously mentioned concerns.
If you are going to have a baby, consider eating bland foods during the day, like crackers. Foods with a bland flavor will most likely be easier for your stomach and sense of smell to tolerate. Also, it is important that you avoid greasy and acidy foods as this will make your nausea worse and give you heartburn.
Try babysitting a friend's baby to get more comfortable with caring for a newborn. Having some hands on experience will help you feel more comfortable with the impending birth of your new baby. Don't take off more than you can chew though as you get farther along in your pregnancy.
Do not let stretch marks stress you out, as they are completely unavoidable for many women. While applying cocoa butter and other creams may help to lessen the itching and irritation that comes along with rapid stretching of the skin, they cannot do much to prevent the marks themselves.
You want to make sure you have the infant car seat all ready to go before you give birth. They can be very complicated to set up, and you want to have the time to make sure it is right. There are many police stations you can go to that will check your car seat for you, and many hospitals that won't allow you to leave without it.
Don't let your concerns or uncertainties about pregnancy distract you from the important job of making sure that you and your new baby stay as healthy as possible. By remembering what you've learned in this article, you can relieve your fears and just focus on giving your baby the best start possible.