Getting ready for the arrival of a newborn is an exciting time that should be – and often is – a lot of fun, but as well as it being joyous, there’s a practical side to everything you do as well, and that’s why it’s important to work out how to do things that are going to protect both you and your baby during and after the birth. With that in mind, here are some ideas to help you get started; the sooner you come up with a good plan, the healthier and happier you’re both going to be.
Maintain A Balanced Diet
As an expectant mother, there are myriad things you can do to keep your baby safe while they’re growing inside you, and eating a healthy, nutritious diet is one of the easiest and potentially one of the most important as well. You’ll need to make sure your diet includes a good mix of fruit and vegetables, as well as lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, and the food you eat should contain specific nutrients for your baby’s healthy development, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, for example.
You’ll also need to stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day, and try to avoid caffeine where possible because that can dehydrate you. You’ll need all the water you can get because it will flush out any toxins that might be in your body, plus it will keep the amniotic fluid around the baby topped up to a safe level.
Educate Yourself
Knowledge is so important in life, and when it comes to pregnancy, labor, and delivery, it’s vital. The idea of going into the situation without knowing what to expect or what’s going to happen is a terrifying one, and the fact is that not knowing is far scarier and stressful than knowing ever could be.
It’s a good idea to take prenatal classes, perhaps with your partner so they can learn too. These classes will tell you a lot about labor and how to deal with it, including all your pain management options, which means you can make informed decisions when the time comes. You might also want to learn about the various medical scenarios and issues that can occur, especially those that might require birth injury solicitors, because although that’s scary, it’s far better to have the knowledge than not, just in case you need to handle a difficult situation.
Develop A Birth Plan
Following on from the idea above, it’s also wise to develop a birth plan before you go into labor – again, you’ll be able to use it to make good decisions, which might be difficult otherwise, especially if you’re in pain and can’t think clearly or there’s a lot going on around you.
Your birth plan needs to outline your preferences for labor and delivery, including pain management, who you want in the delivery room with you, and any other specific requests for you and your baby. Talk through your birth plan with your healthcare provider to get more insight and make sure everyone’s on the same page, and you can go into the birth feeling much more confident.