One of the things that you need to do if you are going to be having a baby is prepare. Preparing to have a baby is one of those things that you always hear about. But you might not have taken seriously up until now.
The closer that you get to the birth, the more it hits you that you are going to have a little human to take care of going forward. Then the panic might start to set in.
If you have been proactive and already started preparing, then the panic over things that you can purchase won’t be as high as if you haven’t.
The good news is that if you don’t know what kind of things you need to do to get ready to have a baby, then you have come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to be taking a look at the different things that you should be doing.
Stock Up In The Essentials
The first thing that you are going to need to do is ensure that you are stocked up on all of the essentials. The last thing that you are going to want to do after just having a baby is go to the store for things. You want to ensure that you have a stock of the things that you need.
Make sure that you have enough diapers, wipes, clothes, toilet roll, cleaning products, formula if you’re going to be using it, nappy rash cream, and anything else that you can think of. If you can get yourself a nice little stock going, then you’re not going to run out for the foreseeable future. Thus panicking about having to go out and get more.
Try to keep an eye on your stock as you are using things from it. Never let yourself run out if you can help it.
Get The Nursery Sorted
Another thing that you are going to need to do is get your nursery sorted. You should start this as soon as you can and as soon as you feel comfortable doing it.
Most people start after they have passed their 12 week mark, buying little bits and bobs for the nursery until it all comes together. Choosing a color can be tough unless you know the gender and are going for the more traditional options.
If you want to keep it quite neutral then we recommend using soft grays, whites, greens and yellows to create the nursery. These are all beautiful and will make a wonderful addition to your nursery so that your baby has a lovely place to sleep.
Make Yourself Comfortable
The longer the pregnancy goes on, the less comfortable you tend to get. The baby is taking up more room. Your body temperature is rising. You are struggling to sleep.
The baby may be moving around so much that you get kicked a lot. It’s important that you are making yourself as comfortable as possible. We know isn’t always easy.
However, there are products that you can try to get more comfortable throughout the later stages of pregnancy, and the earlier ones if you are struggling. For example, you can look into different types of pregnancy pillows to ensure that you get the one that suits you best.
These relieve a lot of the pressure that pregnant women experience. It makes it easier for them to have a comfortable life.
Come Up With A Birthing Plan
While it’s true that most birthing plans don’t get followed exactly as they were written, it’s also true that a birthing plan is important. A birthing plan gives you an idea of what to expect throughout labor and delivery. But then it also lets the doctors and midwives know your wishes.
They can look at your birth plan and know if you don’t wish to have any drugs, or if you prefer to receive something for the pain. Each person is different.
Each birthing plan is going to be different. If you want your wishes to be followed as much as they can be, then this piece of paper is going to be important.
Think about what kind of birth you would like. Think about this as being the best case scenario. If there is no emergency medical intervention needed, what would be ideal for you?
Would you like a home birth? A water birth? A hospital birth? Do you want pain relief or would you like to try without? These are all questions you need to ask yourself and have answered before labor.
Take All Of Your Vitamins
When you are pregnant, there are certain things that you are going to have to take. There are vitamins that you need to be healthy.
For example, all pregnant women are advised to take folic acid supplements to be sure that they are getting enough. This is vital for the baby to grow healthy.
You should also be getting most of your vitamins and nutrients which means that you need to eat a balanced diet. Make sure that you are still getting in those fruits and veggies. Even if your little one is craving sweet treats.
If you are deficient in any of your vitamins, then you need to get supplements so that you do not end up missing anything vital. Your baby needs a whole load of things in order to grow. It’s up to you to ensure that they have them.
Know What To Expect In Labor
If you want to be as prepared as possible, then you need to know what to expect while you are in labor. It’s true to say that everyone’s experiences with labor are different. So there is no one shoe fits all approach.
We recommend that you do your research on inductions so that if you are offered one you understand what is happening. We recommend that you look into cesareans just in case you do end up needing to have one. That way you can be fully prepared for what this means.
Generally, the more that you understand about labor, the better you are going to handle whatever comes at you.
We also think it’s worth noting that most people have a really slow labor with their first child. Of course, some last longer than others. It is likely going to be a while unless you are one of the lucky few who have their baby easily and quickly. And most important of all, make sure that you stay hydrated during this!
Take Care Of Yourself
If you are getting ready to have a baby, then you have got to take care of yourself. That little one is using you to stay safe and protected. It’s up to you to ensure that you are providing that environment for them.
The only way that you can do this is to look after yourself. After all, that is where the baby is living at the moment. Don’t forget that the baby feels what you feel. So if you are stressed and burnt out, the baby is going to feel this.
Instead of letting this happen, focus on taking care of yourself. Give yourself a break when you need one.
Exercise lightly and regularly to keep your body in healthy condition. Ensure you have all of your vitamins, nutrients and anything else you need to stay healthy.
Get As Much Rest As You Can
The last thing that we’re just going to throw in here is that you should be getting as much rest as you can before the baby comes. It can be tough if you are uncomfortable. But you must try.
You are likely going to find it tough to get the right amount of sleep when you have your baby. So getting rest while you can is certainly something that we advise.
You might not think that it will help, but we promise that it will.
We hope that you have found this article helpful. You should now see some of the things that you need to do in order to get ready to have a baby.
The more that you can do to prepare, the easier it is going to be for you to give birth. This is not to say that it’s going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination because it isn’t. But you should find it easier than if you hadn’t prepared at all.
We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you have a lifetime of happiness with your new baby.