Dealing with a pregnancy can be a scary and difficult thing to do, especially if it is your first time. If you're a first time mom or a concerned husband, read on to see what kinds of things you ought to expect and be aware of during a pregnancy.
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.
If you do not yet have an OBGYN, now is the time to find one. You can set up interviews, and find one that you feel you connect with. You will be seeing this doctor often, and they may deliver your baby. Make sure you choose one that you feel extremely comfortable with and can trust.
Pass off the cat litter cleaning duties to someone else once you have found out you are pregnant. Changing cat litter while pregnant can cause you to develop toxoplasmosis. While toxoplasmosis is generally mild to the mother, it can cause serious complications in the fetus. Be safe and just avoid it entirely.
Let yourself be pampered. Especially in the last few months you will probably be very uncomfortable. Check with your local massage parlors and day spas. Many of them will offer pregnancy massages that are designed for your needs. If you are past your due date some of them may actually be able to use pressure points to induce labor.
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.
Keep a journal while you are pregnant. This will be something fun to look over when your child is grown, and it is also a great way to keep track of what is going on. If you are writing everything down, you will be able to notice quickly when any big changes occur.
Take a childbirth class. Classes are offered in many doctors' offices and online. Topics covered include nutrition, exercise, relaxation, epidural anesthesia, pain relief in labor, preparing for labor and childbirth, as well as breastfeeding and baby care. Classes are generally offered once a week over a six to eight week period. Studies show that couples that attend regular childbirth classes are prepared and relaxed during childbirth.
When you are pregnant avoid taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medication without first consulting your pharmacist. Several of the OTC medications can actually be toxic to the baby, if they are passed on through the womb. The fact is many OTC medications - can and will - be passed on through the womb!
When you first find out that you are pregnant it is important to tell anyone and everyone that you are close to. Countless times families have been destroyed over the simple phrase, "Why didn't you tell me?" Some people may be upset that you are pregnant, but if they were important to you in the first place they'll be supportive.
It is a good idea to pack your hospital bag when you reach 37 weeks or so. You are more likely to remember the items that you will both want and need while in the hospital if you aren't tossing things into a bag as you rush out the door.
To remember this special time in your life, consider taking pictures of your belly every week or month. You will be amazed at how much your body changes from week to week, especially in the last trimester. You will enjoy looking at these first baby pictures years from now, when your pregnancy is a distant memory.
Use a body pillow when sleeping. Many pregnant women have trouble getting comfortable when sleeping, and find it the best to sleep on their side, with the body pillow under the knee and belly at the same time. Rest is very important during the pregnancy, so make sure you get an adequate amount.
Make sure to be watching your weight when pregnant. Your doctor should tell you what you should be gaining (usually around 30 pounds), and you want to stick to that. Being severely overweight or underweight can cause health problems (diabetes) and birth defects (cleft palate) for your child. Being overweight can also cause a lot of health problems for you when pregnant.
Keep all of your prenatal appointments during pregnancy. It might feel unnecessary to see a doctor so often, but changes to your body and your baby can happen quickly. It is important for your doctor to continuously track your pregnancy in order to ensure the health of your baby. Your own health might also depend on these regular visits.
A doula can be a great help when you are giving birth. A doula's job is to support a pregnant mother. She can provide wisdom and support during pregnancy, and she can advocate for your wishes when it comes to delivery too.
If you get diagnosed with gestational diabetes or some other issue that pertains to strictly the time when you are pregnant, know that this is just a temporary thing. It will help you get through the days of your pregnancy knowing that as soon as you are holding your baby you will know that it was all worth it.
A few weeks before the baby is due start preparing some extra meals, or double or triple your recipes and freeze the extra. When the baby comes and you are adjusting to your new routine it will be nice to have those ready-made meals that you can just pop in the oven.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about and keep in mind, when dealing with a pregnancy to ensure a healthy, happy baby. Make sure to be aware of the advice in this article at all times, so that you can know what you should and shouldn't do for your baby.
Orignal From: Tips For Having A Successful Pregnancy
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