Becoming a parent can be one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and life changing decisions you can make. When you become a parent, you take on one of the biggest responsibilities possible. You become entirely responsible for the health, happiness and responsibility of your little one as they grow from a baby into a child, teen and full grown adult. You’ll need to change your priorities. You’ll need to adapt your ways and habits. You’ll need to reprioritize everything from your budget to your home to your hobbies and your social schedule. The list goes on. Put simply, becoming a parent is far from a minor decision to make. It’s something that you should put plenty of thought into and then dedicate yourself to. If you’ve decided to bring a little one into this world, you’re likely to go through one big process – pregnancy. This is life changing. It impacts your body. It impacts your mind. You’ll find yourself going through a lot of physical, netal and emotional changes over the course of nine months. Here are some top tips that can help you to prepare for it.
Be Sure
As we’ve highlighted above, having a child is a major decision. You need to make sure that it’s something you’re prepared for. It’s not something to do on a whim. Are you ready to commit to a human who will be entirely dependent on you for everything? Are you financially able to provide for a little one? Are you emotionally and mentally ready to provide them with everything they need from a more emotional and bonding perspective? Put plenty of thought into whether this is the right decision for you, as when you commit to a point, there’s no turning back.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re planning on having a child soon, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor. They will be able to give you tailored advice that applies to you as an individual and could help you along the way. They will be able to help you with information about any birth control you may be currently be using, scheduling you to have it removed or to help you taper off it. They may be able to let you know certain medicines that you may no longer be able to take while pregnant and guide you through how to come off them and more suitable replacements. They can discuss personal risk factors, such as obesity or other medical conditions that could impact your wellbeing or the baby’s development. In short, they’ll give you a good idea of risk factors, what to expect and how to maximize your chances of a successful, healthy pregnancy.
Adapt Your Lifestyle
The healthier you and your partner are, the more likely you are to fall pregnant more easily. You may need to make some changes. This could range from reaching a recommended weight or BMI to quitting smoking or other activities that can impact fertility. This can often feel difficult, but it is something that you need to commit to if you are serious about becoming pregnant.
Take Folic Acid
If you’re trying to conceive, it’s recommended that you take folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin and it is recommended that if you plan to become pregnant, you take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day. You should also aim to get this acid into your diet through food that you eat on a regular basis. This can significantly help to prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).
Prepare Your Mind
Pregnancy is, of course, a taxing process on your body. But you need to make sure that your mind is prepared for pregnancy too. Your body is going to go through a lot of change and this includes hormonal changes. Your mood will likely fluctuate and you can experience anything from mood swings to cravings and more. You need to make sure that you have as strong a support network around you as possible during this time. There are plenty of books and resources out there that can help you with mentally and emotionally preparing for pregnancy. Make sure to reach out for support if this is something that you are concerned about or have a family history of.
Planning for pregnancy can be a complex process, but hopefully, some of the information outlined above should help you to plan for yours as best possible. Each small action can make a big difference.
Thank you for reading!
