Taking a pregnancy test can be nerve wracking; finally
seeing that “plus” sign, an epiphany. One of the initial things a soon to be
mommy must consider is the impact of the pregnancy may have on her own health.
To have a healthy baby, one must be healthy themselves.
According to
the Centers for Disease Control, “Pregnancy and childbirth have a huge
impact on the physical, mental, emotional, and socio-economical health of women
and their families.” So, as a first step, it is imperative to make sure that a
mom-to-be’s health is attended to. A healthy pregnancy aids in the easiest
possible delivery, and working towards this actually begins in the first
trimester.
Proper nutrition and vitamin supplements should be one
of the first things a mother uses to assure her own health, as well as her
baby’s. Prenatal vitamins are strongly recommended to be used throughout the
duration of a pregnancy as well as months after
delivery to help achieve a mother’s full recuperation. In the case of
nutrition, cravings will definitely be a part of the process. Indulging once in
awhile, so long as you stick mainly to a diet of lean meat and a variety of
fruits and vegetables, is completely acceptable.
In
the case of baby’s nutrition post delivery, it’s a good idea to consider your
options. There are two ways to provide the necessary nutrition to your newborn:
the first is breastfeeding, and the second is formula. Each alternative will
supply an your infant with nutrients, so whatever way you choose to feed your
baby is up to you. If you are considering breastfeeding, there are
breastfeeding classes that will help you learn more about the process and
techniques involved.
Taking a childbirth class is another great idea. It doesn’t matter if it’s your
first pregnancy or your fifth, childbirth classes can help a mother prepare by
informing her of the available birth procedures at that facility. Learning how
labor will affect your body, what to expect during delivery and options
available post-delivery will all help a mother feel more prepared.
Childbirth class will also help you prepare a birth
plan if you’d like. A birth plan is simply an outline you can give your medical
team about how you’d like your delivery day to go. Things to include are what
sort of pain management you’d like to use, how you’d like your baby presented
to you, and if you’ll be partaking in any optional procedures, like cord blood
banking, post-delivery. Cord blood
banking involves
collecting the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord and storing it as a
potential medical resource for your family to be used to treat potential future
diseases that could affect your family.
Finding
focus and peace, while adhering to healthy guidelines, are likely the most
important preparations a mom-to-be can make.
The benefits of attending to your health the best you can will make delivery
day as joyous as it ought to be.
This article was written by Alan
Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and
childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect
with him on Twitter @ACassidy22
