With all the changes happening in your body such as feeling your baby kick every day, woman can often have mixed feelings and emotions during their pregnancy. There is the excitement of having a child, followed by the transition of the physical changes happening to your body. There are so many questions in the expecting mother’s mind. Expecting mothers help themselves by seeking advice from relatives and friends. Pregnant women usually will be told that “everything will come naturally” or “don’t worry - you’ll be a great mother”. However, not all pregnancies or women for that matter, are identical. Here is a list of expecting mother’s help that might be useful to know during your term and after your child is born:
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1. Food Intake - Consume only healthy food because what you eat is what you’re giving to the life growing inside of you. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can. Try consuming only home cooked food. Also, avoid consuming anything which causes gas or indigestion, which happens to be the main complaint of pregnant women. Drink a lot of fluids, especially water. Limit your consumption of caffeine drinks and alcohol.
- 2. Vitamins and Medication - It’s important to consume folic acid and calcium from the very beginning of your pregnancy. Folic acid helps the brain development of your baby and prevents birth defects. During pregnancy, women loose calcium, due to the baby’s physical development. Breastfeeding will further deplete your body of calcium. Your gynecologist will usually conduct a blood test before recommend other supplements that your body may need, Check out - .Folic Acid Certified Organic - 120 Vegetarian Tablets (Google Affiliate Ad)
3. Hormonal Changes - Many women complain of mood swings during pregnancy, you’re not alone. This is due to hormone changes in your body and also the anxiousness’s of becoming a parent. Manage this by taking things easy, don’t be hard on yourself, talk about your issues with your partner or friend and get enough rest.
4. Weight Gain - You should monitor your weight gain closely during pregnancy. Too much or too little weight gain is not healthy. Ask your gynaecologist of the ideal amount of weight you should be gaining. You could also be suffering from water retention, which will go away within the first 2 month of having your child. However you also need to know that the fat that is stored in your body during pregnancy will be transferred to your child when you breastfeed. Babies who don’t get appropriate amounts of fat in their diet face problems such as vomiting or poor weight gain.
5. Exercise and Normal Daily Activities - Unless said so by your doctor, there are no restrictions on your normal daily activities. Having said that, don’t go and attempt bungee jumping as one of those things you want to do before having your baby.
Regular exercise is a great form of expecting mothers help. This is because it helps maintain a healthy lifestyle and also helps keep your body flexible to go through the delivery process. Get enrolled in pregnancy exercise classes. Don’t do it alone. Get your partner involved as well. This activity will also help strengthen your bond with your partner.
- 6. Normal Delivery vs. C-Section - While all women hope for a normal delivery, there are circumstances where having a child vaginally is not possible. Prepare yourself for both possibilities. The recovery process of a c-section delivery takes longer compared to a normal delivery. Find out on the various drugs available which can help you with pain management.
- 7. Breastfeeding - Breast milk is the best food source for your child. It is complete with all the nutrients needed for a baby’s development and also contains probiotics, which promotes good gut health. Babies who are fully breastfed have lower chances of contracting diseases, which will be shown later in life. When your child’s foundation is good, the rest will be great as well.
Breastfeeding helps the mother and child bonding process as well. Children who are fully breastfed are shown to be more attached to their mothers than those who are bottle fed. Breastfeeding is good for the mother as well. It helps the healing process of the uterus and makes you lose weight as well. The fat which was stored in your body during pregnancy will be transferred to your child via breast milk, which will help your child gain weight.
- 8. Taking Care of Your Child - Get yourself equipped with all the things you may need to take care of your child, like baby toiletries, a baby cot etc. Ask a relative or friend of the things you’ll need to survive the first few weeks after having the baby. There are classes that teach you the basic things you need to know about taking care of the baby like how to bath the baby, changing diapers etc. Going out after having the baby may be difficult as you may not be that fit. In some cultures, a woman has to live by confinement period rules, which don’t permit women to go out and about for about 40 to 50 days after having a baby.
- 9. Expecting Mothers Help Tip - After having the baby, most women need help with managing daily chores and taking care of the baby. Getting a maid is a good idea. However, the best person you can turn to would be your mother! She is the best person because she has gone through the same process with you, as you are going to go through with your child. Ask her for help. Don’t be shy or embarrassed to admit you need help.
- 10. Sex During Pregnancy and Post-Delivery - Rest assured that sex during pregnancy is completely safe, unless said so by your gynecologist. However, some women may not want to have sex during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Your partner on the other hand may also be afraid of putting undue stress on the child. These are all normal feelings. After delivery, give your body six to eight weeks before resuming your normal sex life. It takes that long usually, for your body’s natural healing process to take place. However, don’t force yourself to have sex immediately after 6 weeks. You may not want your partner near you so soon due to the baby and fatigue.
Motherhood is a beautiful journey. Embrace it by getting the right form of expecting mothers help. Remember, ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is the key to empowerment.
