10 Things you can do to prepare for
By: Dr Rohini Pandey
Tags: Motherhood, Pregnancy Care, Pregnancy, Baby Care, Parenthood

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in a woman’s life, and I was blessed to experience this recently, the whole course of natural transformation helps you understand the basic tenets of being a mother. It’s like a training session where you are given a chance to know what’s needed to become a mother. For some the transition is smooth, specially if this is your second or third pregnancy , but as a first time mother there are many aspects to it , which requires preparation. I based this article according to my experience ( and hopefully some other new mums may relate with it too), and tried to highlight few things which can make the journey to pregnancy and motherhood more easier

1.Be in best of your health:

Considering many of us working women have to juggle through family and work responsibilities, we often ignore our health in the mean time. It can be said without much doubt ,that planning a pregnancy while you are working, can’t be done in your twenties( since we finish studies by mid twenties and marry by late twenties, at the earliest). So we must monitor our reproductive cycle to assess if the hormonal rhythms are balanced. To do so , having a healthy diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fibre, minerals and vitamins, adequate hydration etc, is required . Including at least 3 days of exercise regime in your week, will give you added benefit. Pregnancy comes with a tremendous change in body weight, my weighing scale took a steep jump of 20 kgs over a period of initial six months, only to realise later, that it needs a check. Having a healthy weight as per BMI, can help in the regulated weight gain during pregnancy, along with saving your joints from the extra burden.

2.Prepare your partner:

This one is quite dependent upon how much keen and willing your other half is, but making your partner aware of the responsibilities and joy a baby comes with, is worth sharing. Look for cues and activities your partner performs after the suggestion. Is he equally involved or want to secure his own space and time, it’s advisable to take this decision jointly, if he refrains from accepting the idea, other ways of discussion should be used. We as mothers, are much more conscious and realistic about the baby, but for your partner, the presence of child starts only after birth, so they take time to adapt and adjust around this change. Talking, reminding in a prosperous way may help him to prepare himself.

3.Manage your finances way ahead of the arrival:

Before planning pregnancy, make sure you have chalked out the details of the financial aspects of raising your child. Including the expected expenditures in maintenance of a healthy lifestyle for child and the education should be understood and managed. Also, pregnancy entails certain healthcare expense , which should be framed ahead,you may consider taking up a health insurance 1 or 2 year before pregnancy, it can cut short the sudden hospital fees and charges. Invest in safe monetary habits, savings and insurances today provide us with a number of options for the same.

4.Be at a reliable point in your profession:

I personally think , establishing your professional life before pregnancy can give you scope to fall back when required. But , this is a subjective idea and one can carry family planning as and when they wish. Having a certain period of experience and exposure in the work , can let you resume your profession without much hustle, on the other hand halting your office for too long , may slow down the pace of your skill development, but again it’s my perspective.The fact that, one cannot have it all – is true, also there is no age limit to start afresh. Giving yourself the right amount of time is important and justified.

5. Manage your maternity leave:

According to government regulations, most private firms allow a maternity leave of 6 months approximately. It’s matter of wise judgement how you use it, I have seen many women using it pre pregnancy only to realise how crucial it was post pregnancy. Studies have shown that , establishment of mother child bond happens along first 2 months, where the baby identifies the mother or caregiver. It’s best to use two months of maternity. leave at the 8 th and 9 th month of pregnancy and rest 4 months post pregnancy, with the option of work from home , one can easily join the workforce without facing the separation anxiety, so inform and discuss with your HR regarding these provisions well in advance.

6. Never miss any appointment or investigation:

Whenever I look at pregnancy from the angle of a medical professional, I awe at this miracle of nature. Each and every minute transformation is so well encrypted and designed , how different organs play separate role, how the body accommodate gradually to create a new life inside, different hormone secretion make stage wise changes in mother’s body to support the baby . It’s not a human’ s job to create such splendid phenomenon all by it’s own, but only to be sure and certain that things are going smooth, regular consultation from your gynaecologist is a must. It becomes very easy to figure out the what and why’s, what should be done next, and how to tackle small challenges coming in way. This small effort can go a long way in determining the health and growth of your baby, so never miss any consultation or investigation recommended.

7. Seek help:

As one goes ahead in the journey of pregnancy, routine work and chores may become difficult to carry out, the increased weight of uterus and growing baby may pose discomfort, and the hormones can give you an extra of that, so don’t hesitate to look for help inside and out of family. Hiring a cook ( to eat homemade meals), a housemaid ( for regular chores), calling up your relative, friend or in laws for the added support and well-being make things easy. There is no shame in asking for the support. People generally cherish the thought of being involved in creating a birth experience. Interacting with the ladies who have experienced this phase, not just relieves you but also makes the birthing process cheerful. It’s always good to talk about how you feel , and be sure those who have gone through, would be all ears.

8. Learn emotional skills:

Being a mother is a full time job, we all learn and experience a number of things. The whole process is so designed that a mother acquires every required dexterity without any aid. Still I would prefer to point out few emotional strengths which are required. First to learn is the ,art of patience, to be patient with your baby, the people around, your spouse,- all these individuals require their own time to readjust. Practising the priority of mental peace is important, when you are having less sleep, immense bodily changes, weakness and fatigue, mental strength and health becomes the prime need for new mothers. Spend some “me time” always, learn to not expect a lot, as everyone around you has limitations and so do you, accepting all of these factors will extinguish your anger, at times. Stop worrying!.. about other parts of your life,-your work, spouse, clothes, looks, -all these need to take care of themselves by their own, you need rest above everything and it’s well deserved.

9. Practice sleeping and self relaxation:

Initial few months of motherhood can rip you off your sleep. If only you can learn the way to self relieve and self calm, it can do you a lot good . Mothers don’t get to fulfill their 8 hours of sleep and may need to take cat naps with their child. The experiences may vary person to person , but mostly it’s the same with all new mothers. The sooner you learn how to self soothe and take a power nap, more relaxed you will be without much of assistance from others. Avoiding long use of electronic gadgets, other visual stimulation, cutting on caffeine, slow nature walks and keeping your stress at bay will help you sleep at your own choice and keep your energy in reserve mode ,which is needed for the care of your child.

10. Stay happy :

Well , don’t judge me for putting it at last, as I wanted this to stay in your mind as fresh as it could be. Someone has rightly addressed happiness as a choice. Please choose happiness above everything, no matter what challenges come across , even a small reason should be enough to make you happy. A child doesn’t demand a perfect mother, but only happy mother can make everything seem perfect for them. Relish this feeling of procreation, enjoy the food cravings , the sudden baby quickening, your lush hair, your glowing skin, someone’s glancing smile at your belly, the care and love showed by the people around you. May be even ,ask for a cup of tea made by your hubby, the favourite dish you crave cooked by your mother or mother in law,they would love to grant your wish. Most importantly the thought that, my child will outlive me one day is enough reason to make me happy..

share what’s yours?..

and anything you agree or disagree about this list. Wish you a blissful and blessed pregnancy.