ost pregnant moms know the standard pregnancy tips. You’ve probably heard about what fish to avoid and what tests you’ll need so often that you could teach it in medical school. So let’s try to focus on what you may not have heard...
1. Trust Your Instincts You know yourself better than anyone else on the planet. If you are craving sleep and can’t get off the couch, trust your instincts and enjoy some more rest. Likewise, if something doesn’t seem quite right and you have concerns, listen to your body, and call your provider.
2. Put Your Oxygen Mask on First You must take care of yourself both physically and emotionally to be the kind of mom you want to be. Running on empty doesn’t work for anyone. Remember you’re nurturing a new life, so find ways to nurture yourself.
3. Partner with Your Partner Pregnancy brings many unexpected changes to every relationship. This is often a stressful time for even the most together and loving couples. Find ways to spend time together that don’t involve preparing for the baby. If you can, take a Babymoon. Even a few days away from everyday stressors can bring couples closer.
Before baby makes three, read “The Babymoon” 4. Consider Banking Your Baby’s Cord Blood This year we’ve seen cord blood treat children with a number of conditions for which there had been no subsequent treatment. We’ve seen how the stem cells in a baby’s umbilical cord can treat cancers and leukemia and now we see their potential to treat children with brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and Type 1 diabetes.
See also “Should We Bank Our Baby’s Cord Blood?" 5. Go to Class Take classes and read as much about parenting before your baby makes her grand entrance. Breastfeeding, for example, is a new skill for mom and baby; so know as much as possible about positioning, latching, and where to find help before you’re sleep deprived and recovering from the delivery.
6. Create a Stage Name for Your Baby Many parents have had the experience of announcing their carefully thought out and cherished name for their baby only to be met with perplexed stares, dropped jaws, and unwelcome comments about how inappropriate that name is. Spare yourself the unsolicited advice and create a public stage name - Sweet Pea? Sparky? - while keeping your baby’s real name a secret to reveal later.
Can’t pick the perfect name? Visit our Baby Name Search.
7. Take a Walk Though you may not have the energy or the time to get to the gym, any
exercise is good for your stamina and for the baby. A 10-minute walk is a great way to get your blood pumping and clear your head. If you can walk longer, by all means go for it! Just remember every little bit of exercise helps you feel better physically and emotionally.
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