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Whether it’s your first, second or third pregnancy, there is such a novelty to the experience that both you and your partner will marvel at as parents. If you’re already parents, remember that each pregnancy is unique in its own way, so it helps to be prepared every step of the way.

On the other hand, if you are a first-time parent, you might have already read every guidebook that expecting mothers usually pore over – but there are still some practical tips that you need to keep in mind.

Therefore, the number of children that you’ve already had doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that you need to be prepared physically, mentally, emotionally and even financially before giving birth to your child.

Read on to find out what tips you need to keep in mind, as well as everything else in between that a mother-to-be needs to know regarding her pregnancy.

Enumerating the Top 10 Pregnancy Preparedness Tips & Everything Else In-Between that Every Mother-to-Be Needs to Know

So what are the top 10 tips that you need to keep in mind about pregnancy preparedness? Here is a list of things that you should remember and prepare for in order to have a successful pregnancy:

1. Be aware of the changes in your body.

The minute that you see the positive sign on that home pregnancy test kit, that is the time you will start being aware of the changes in your body.

As the child in your womb grows from its first to its third trimester, your body will undergo specific changes – and this is something that you should be prepared for.

During the first trimester, you are bound to experience morning sickness, vomiting and a feeling of being ill. This is usually a result of the hormonal changes that your body is undergoing – and it’s a perfectly natural result of being pregnant.

During the second trimester, you would have already accustomed to the life growing inside of you and weight gain is something that you should be prepared for.

Finally, the third trimester is when you will feel most uncomfortable as the weight in your belly grows bigger and bigger until the time that you will actually give birth.

2. Do away with any ‘nasty’ habit that you may have.

On the onset of your pregnancy, make sure to do away with any nasty habits that you may have. If you smoke, quit if you don’t want to suffer consequences during your pregnancy.

Smoking while pregnant may lead to miscarriage, bleeding or if you successfully carry your baby onto its third trimester, it might be premature or underweight.

Another habit that you should not indulge in while pregnant is the intake of alcohol. Taking illegal drugs is even more of a no-no.

3. Be physically prepared.

One of the best favors you can do for yourself while pregnant is eating right and at the same time maintaining a healthy weight by following good Pregnancy nutrition.

Although you are already eating for two, that is not an excuse to go all out and give into your junk food cravings.

This is because if you unhealthily gain excessive weight during your pregnancy, labor might prove to be difficult and it can even lead to complications in the baby’s health.

4. Make sure that you are prepared financially.

Now that there is an economic crunch, it is even more vital to save up for the time that you will actually give birth, the expenses that you would have to shoulder start with the doctor’s appointments while you are on your first, second and third trimester. You may even want to enroll in birth classes.

The costs of giving birth in the hospital would add a huge chunk to your expenses – but it goes way beyond that.

As a future parent, the mere fact that you will add one more member to your family means that you need to make major adjustments with your budget as a household – and this is something that you really need to prepare for.

5. Plan for the birth and the delivery details.

Whether or not it’s your first time to give birth, your doctor can help map out a birth and delivery plan for you.

Aside from the medical aspect of things, you should also prepare the things that you need to bring with you to the hospital once ‘it is time’.

About a week or so before you give birth, make sure that you already packed the essentials like your clothes, the toiletries and some clothes that you bought for your baby.

6. Make sure that you have a pregnancy backup plan.

Although you may be preparing for a vaginal birth, you should still have a backup plan in case there is a medical need for you to undergo a C-section.

Ask your doctor about the type of incision that will be used, make sure that you know which type of anesthesia will be applied and how long it will take for you to recover.

7. Prepare your home in welcoming a new member of the family.

It’s not just the nursery that you need to prepare when welcoming a new member of your family, it’s the entire household which should be child-proof.

If you already have several kids running around the house, you may have already performed some child-proofing steps. But if you haven’t, now is the best time to do so.

For first time parents, you should enjoy the process of putting together a nursery for your child. Aside from repainting the walls and getting that crib in the center of the room, you should also have your home tested for environmental hazards which include lead paint, radon or carbon monoxide.

Your car should already have child-safety features. You can even get one of those choke-test cylinders to ensure that any toy that you will be placing on the nursery is hazard-free.

8. Practice multitasking even before the baby arrives.

You won’t believe how little sleep you will actually get once the baby arrives. So as early as possible, you can practice multitasking.

You can prepare home cooked meals in advance and freeze them so that you will have microwaveable dishes once you get home from the hospital.

Keep the refrigerator stocked with healthy foods and some baby essentials. Even your bathroom supplies should be well-stocked.

9. Decide on the parenting style that you will take.

This is an especially crucial decision for both parents. Which parenting style will you take? If both parents are working, should one give up his or her job in order to personally care for the baby, or is hiring a full-time baby sitter an option that you are considering?

Will you play the good cop, bad cop scenario? How will you as a couple have a united front while disciplining your child once he or she grows up?

How about sibling care? Will you allow them to do their share in caring for the new member of the family? In terms of religious beliefs, what traditions will you follow? Deciding on these issues in advance will give you a leeway so that conflicts can be prevented in the future.

10. Enjoy the experience to the fullest!

Finally, make sure to extract every bit of pleasure that you can out of your parenting experience.

Sure, you are allowed to be an emotional wreck especially if you are a first-time mother – but this should not take away from your marveling at the experience of being pregnant and giving birth.

By following these pregnancy preparedness tips, you can rest assured that you are prepared for your pregnancy, the labor phase and the post-natal care of that new member of your family which everyone is eagerly awaiting with open arms.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for ThePregnancyZone.com. This blog covers various pregnancy issues, prenatal care, preparing for pregnancy, tests & procedures, pregnancy tools and pregnancy stages. Visit The Pregnancy Blog

Article from articlesbase.com

Related Second Trimester Articles

Categories : 2nd Trimester
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You have just heard the good news. You have conceived! You are ecstatic, but at the same time you have so many questions on your mind. I am sure you would like to know what to expect during these nine months. You would also want to understand the various pregnancy stages and how to handle them. So, read on.  A gestation period is divided into three trimesters each spanning three months. Each trimester will bring about new changes in you and your baby.

First Trimester

The first trimester starts when you have conceived and start showing pregnancy symptoms like missed periods, tender or swollen breasts, nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, backaches and headaches, dizziness, heartburn, or constipation. In the first three months, your body will undergo various changes, like weight gain and increase in your basal temperature. These changes are due to increase in your hormone levels. By the end of your first trimester or the 12th week of your conceiving, all the vital organs of your baby – brain, spinal cord, heart, eyes, and limbs will have formed. During this stage, the baby also starts moving, although you won’t feel anything. The first trimester is the most crucial time to take extra care and protection as it is during this time that your baby is most vulnerable and chances of miscarriages are high. Have a healthy and nutritional diet and avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, and other medications. Expect your obstetrician to give you a few blood tests, and pelvic examination. 

Second Trimester

As you enter your 13th month of being pregnant, discomforts from the first trimester like fatigue and nausea are eased out. Many women find the second trimester easier and enjoyable. Both you and your baby continue to grow in weight and size. Your weight will increase and you will start showing due to the baby’s growing size. Also, you will now start feeling your baby’s movements like kicking and turning from side to side. By the 24th week, your baby will be able to hear your voice, give some facial expressions, and go through a cycle of sleep and waking-up. Due to advancements in neonatal technology, now a baby born at the end of 24 weeks can survive.

Third Trimester

The third trimester starts from the 25th week to the time of the birth. During this time as your baby grows, you might start feeling uncomfortable due to the extra weight. Common problems related to this stage are backaches, swelling of feet and ankles, shortness of breath, pelvic aches, hip pains, and heavy vaginal discharge. Towards the 32nd to 40th week, you may also have Braxton Hicks contractions, which are painless contractions and do not lead to labor. These are the body’s way of warming up for the forthcoming labor. As you enter the 40th week, your baby will come down and settle in your pelvis, ready for delivery.

Pregnancy and motherhood are said to be life-altering events in a women’s life. With proper prenatal care, healthy diet, nutrition, love and affection, and exercise, all these pregnancy stages and birth can become the most enjoyable and satisfying event for a woman.

Article from articlesbase.com

Categories : 2nd Trimester
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Amazingly, just like no two people have the exact same thumbprints, no two women the world over experience the exact same sets of symptoms. This phenomenon makes pregnancy a very special thing indeed. Nevertheless, there are certain highlights that are generally present where pregnancy is concerned. For example; certain times of fatigue and growth are commonly expected to occur in most pregnancies. Also, women who are pregnant are expected to go for regular checkups to determine if there are any complications or if the baby and mom are in good health. This article is a pregnancy guide that will look at the most commonly shared conditions and happenings of a typical pregnancy…

 

1. Time Frame – As a general rule, a pregnancy term, which spans over a nine-month period is divided into three trimesters. The first trimester is a period characterized by rapid surges in hormonal levels causing significant changes in your body in anticipation of the new life you would soon be carrying. The Second trimester is when the growth of your abdomen really begins to be noticeable amongst other physical changes. The third trimester is when you baby begins to rapidly develop and prepares to be born.

 

2. Features – The pregnancy term consists of about nine months of growth although your baby will grow at differing rates during these periods. Compared to the rate of growth in the later stages of pregnancy, the initial growth rate of the embryo is extremely rapid. The reason behind the so-called “morning sickness” which is actually characterized by nausea and vomiting is the need for pregnancy hormones that occur during the first trimester. Up to 80% of pregnant women experience this morning sickness early in their pregnancies.

 

3. Significance – One of the major characteristics of the second trimester is that the pregnant woman’s energy increases. Appetites return for most women and the morning sickness fades away. Also, around this time, the abdomen begins to expand and food cravings also begin. This is also when the mother begins to feel the baby moving for the first time. Babies have the most space to move during this period and can really be very active.

 

4. Function – The baby begins to put on weight during the third trimester in preparation for the birth process. S/He would typically gain about an ounce of fat daily by the end of a typical 40-week pregnancy. After birth, as your baby begins to adjust to drinking milk and bowel movements, s/he will often lose weight. Due to its large size, the baby will move less during the third trimester and should move into a position with its head pointing downwards in preparation for birth.

 

5. Considerations – Undergoing a full physical exam is a requirement during your first trimester. This exam will also assess the heartbeat of the fetus. To ensure that the fetus is in the proper position, some doctors will order that an ultrasound be taken in the ninth or tenth week. Several blood tests are done during the second trimester to check for possible birth defects as well as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and anemia. It may also be necessary to do a second ultrasound during this period to access the baby’s rate of growth and organs. Weekly appointments to get your blood pressure checked and your baby’s heart rate monitored for abnormalities is often necessary during the third trimester.

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Categories : 2nd Trimester
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Any unwanted, spontaneous pregnancy loss until the second trimester of pregnancy is considered a miscarriage. Once such an impulsive pregnancy loss occurs after approximately 23-24 weeks of gestation and it is considered a so-called intrauterine demise. One out of every three women age 18-45 has experienced a reproductive loss. Women experience miscarriage often receives no explanation for the cause of their miscarriage. The lack of advice regarding the future and what can be done to avoid another miscarriage is too often the case.

Some miscarriages occur before women recognize that they are pregnant. About 15% of fertilized eggs are lost before the egg even has a chance to implant in the wall of the uterus. A woman would not generally identify this type of miscarriage. Another 15% of conceptions are lost before eight weeks’ gestation.

Symptoms of Miscarriage: –

The warning sign of vaginal bleeding precedes nearly all miscarriages. Bleeding that signals a miscarriage may be little or heavy. It may be constant, or it may come and go. Bleeding may be followed by cramping abdominal pain and, in some women, lower backache.
•    Vaginal bleeding is the first miscarriage symptom associated with spontaneous abortion. Vaginal bleeding refers to the bleeding in or from the vagina. The vaginal bleeding may be heavy or light, regular or irregular.
•    Abdominal cramping, genitals, thighs, buttocks and lower back pain are the signs of miscarriage that usually occur soon after the vaginal bleeding commences. Unusual pain in the pelvic region is another miscarriage symptom.
•    Passage of tissue, resembling large thick blood clots in the earliest weeks up to pinkish/grayish material, with or without cramps or pain.
•    Other miscarriage symptoms include decreased breast tenderness, morning sickness, failure of fetal heartbeat, and no fetal movements. A sudden loss in the weight, dizziness, severe vomiting, painful contractions for five to twenty minutes are also miscarriage symptoms that give good indications of pregnancy loss.

Treatment for Miscarriage: –

•    Many women are uncomfortable with the idea of surgery, and the side effects can potentially be dangerous, including a slight risk of uterine or cervical injury. Unless surgery is absolutely necessary, some women may want to seek alternative treatments.
•    Expectant Management involves waiting for a miscarriage to progress naturally while being regularly monitored by a health professional. For many women, the miscarriage process may naturally be completed within 72 hours.
•    Expectant management is usually recommended in cases of an uncomplicated miscarriage. The woman must have a stable blood pressure and heart rate and not be experiencing high levels of pain, fever or excessive bleeding. In some cases bleeding may last for weeks and result in an incomplete miscarriage.
•    Medical Management is usually offered to women who have experienced an incomplete miscarriage with no serious complications. Medication is prescribed to allow the uterus to push out all remaining tissue.

You may be interested in reading Treatment for Miscarriage and Miscarriage Bleeding. Also visit more on Treatment After Miscarriage

Article from articlesbase.com

Categories : 2nd Trimester
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You’re going to be a Father! A guide to surviving the first 6 months
This E-Book is written from the male perspective , It covers views and experiences that affect the male during this exciting time. From the Pre-Arrival Period and the changes happening with your partner to figuring out what to do with with the new arrival
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Categories : 1st Trimester
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Pregnancy week by week brings new development in woman’s body. Pregnancy period of 40 weeks can be divided into 3 trimester (which means three months long). First trimester includes the period from week 1 to week 12. Second trimester is from week 13 to week 26 while third trimester commences at week 27 and continues to term (which is the 40th week).

Week 1 to week 12

In this trimester of pregnancy week by week child grows rapidly and forms all organs and body structures, though very tiny. To put things into perspective – the baby is tinier than a grain of rice!!! Week 4 makes the woman realize that she is pregnant. Within a week, heart of the baby starts beating.

Week 13 to Week 26

Thirteenth week onwards, pregnancy enters into the second trimester and there are further developments in pregnancy week by week. Baby further develops and gradually, vocal chords begin to form, the nervous system starts to function and the reproductive organs become fully developed. Baby’s hair, eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, fingers and toes also get formed. This is a period where one can see on ultrasound whether it is a boy or a girl. By week 20 one can feel the baby moving. Within next 3-4 weeks baby’s skin is reddish in color, wrinkled with veins visible through baby’s translucent skin. This is also the period when the baby may start responding to sounds.

Week 26 to Week 40

This is the trimester during which pregnancy week by week enters into its culminating stage. During this period the fat starts depositing on the baby. His/Her hearing is fully developed and can move with the rhythm to music. By week 27 babies can even cry. By Week 29 of pregnancy the senses of sound, smell and taste are also developed. Week 32 is the time when baby spends most of its time in sleeping. Lungs are almost fully developed, baby can open and close the eyes and can also grasp firmly. During these weeks the baby position changes to prepare itself for delivery. The baby drops down in the pelvis with its head facing down towards the birth canal.

As one shall realise by now, pregnancy is by far the most sophisticated process in the human body. Pregnancy week by week undergoes marvellous changes – changes which have till date left even the most scientifically equipped human amazed at this intricate accomplishment of nature

First trimester pregnancy is the most important stage of pregnancy because in this stage of pregnancy you witness early pregnancy symptoms and this is the time when you need to be cautious towards pregnancy complications. Pregnancy Week By Week offers all the information you need to track your pregnancy week by week and enjoy your pregnancy.

Article from articlesbase.com

Categories : 2nd Trimester
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Wedding Video Secrets:A Professionals Guide for Doing-It-Yourself
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