Becoming a pregnant woman is the only beginning but it’s a very important stage in our child’s health. This worrying comes with the territory of experiencing a whole new kind of responsibility.
Today’s time moms spend 1400 hours online researching ways to keep their babies happy healthy.
Here are the 7 tips for first-time pregnancies:
- Avoid Caffeine
Generally, caffeine is not good for heath. Drinking caffeine during pregnancy has some major health risks. This means that the caffeine side effects of a racing heart rate, high blood pressure and a stimulated nervous system affect you and your baby. The caffeine gets digested much slower and goes through the placenta into your baby’s bloodstream. Even small amount of caffeine cause 13% increase in low birth weight for your newborn.
Instead of caffeine try to switch on naturally decaffeinated herbal tea, but do consult with your doctor or midwife.
- Exercise Regularly
Having a baby is rough both physically and mentally. Exercise regularly so that you can combat the pain and mood swings that come with being pregnant. Low impact exercise can help ease back pain, increase circulation, and improve your mood. It will also strengthen your muscles and ligaments in preparation for labor. Some great exercises that limit the stress on your body include swimming and walking. Yoga increases fertility rates and prenatal yoga opens up your hips, relieves stress, and assists with restlessness.
- Drink Plenty of Water
In our day to day life everyone should drink more water. First-time moms require more water than normal as it becomes part of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby. Low fluid can lead to miscarriage or birth defects, as well as complicated labor.
You can get dehydrated fast while pregnant since you need more than you are used to. It is recommended that you drink at least 10 cups of 8 ounces each day to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water can also relieve swollen joints and flush your system of built-up toxins.
- Take Naps
Getting the right amount of sleep at night is also important. As your pregnancy progresses, it will become more difficult to sleep at night. You will use the bathroom often and struggle to find a comfortable position for your bum. Take the time now to catch up on sleep and let your body relax. Once the baby is born, you won’t have the opportunity to rest as often. Your sleep schedule will be inconsistent and lacking.
Make up for lost sleep at night and invest in a pregnancy pillow that goes in between your thighs and under you’re below. A pillow will align your hips to take the pressure off of your back and pelvis.
- Prenatal Massage
Before giving birth, schedule a time for a professional prenatal massage. A low-impact massage treats lower back pain that can be a menace throughout your pregnancy. It will also increase circulation and remove inflammation that causes swelling. Avoid a massage at the beginning of your first trimester. Most practitioners won’t accept women during this time as the chance of miscarriage is higher. You can get a message anytime up into your due date after that.
- Make a Birth Plan
Being a mother begins during the birth of your baby. You want to make this moment special and safe. That is why making a birthing plan is essential. Do your own research online about your options before taking any advice from friends and family. This is your decision so you should have an unbiased view of the ways to give birth. Your location is not the only choice you have to make. The decisions to use an epidural, have a water birth, or a delayed cord clamping are just a few more.
- Go Shopping
Get excited for your bundle of joy by getting those essential and cute baby items ready. You can prepare the nursery with a crib, changing table, rocking chair, and dresser. Plus, pick out a bright color for the walls and decals for the windows for your baby to enjoy. Dressing your baby is fun, but it also requires a lot of planning. You don’t want to run out of clothes when your baby has a growth spurt. Plan to buy one size up from their current age. Newborn clothes won’t last long so only buy a few.
You also have to decide diaper brands.For newborns babies, disposable diapers work the best since you will be changing very often. As they get older, you may switch to a more eco-friendly option.