Pregnancy, Joyous yet Nerve-racking
Finding out your pregnant is a joyous occasion that you will never forget. But after the initial glow of excitement, what usually follows is nervousness. After all, your body is now the home to a little human being, and you will nurture him or her for almost a year before he or she is born into the world, and then the parenting truly begins. Surely your doctor will gift you with armfuls of pamphlets of information, you’ll scour the web and even buy books. Pregnancy, parenting, and everything that entails. But there are a few things that will take new moms and dads by surprise.
If your doctor leaves some things out, it probably isn’t intentional. Pregnancy affects every woman differently so he might not think to focus on that. For example, some women experience morning sickness. Some women feel sick all day long, while some women don’t get morning sickness at all. Other things might be less of a medical focus. And sometimes you’re too shy to ask questions about hemorrhoids. If you do have any concerns regarding your health or your baby’s health, you should be able to talk to your doctor about it. If you don’t think you can, it might be time to seek a new one.
Yes, pregnancy changes your body. But it also changes a lot about you. You might feel the sudden urge to clean and prepare your home, and as your due date gets closer this nesting instinct could get stronger. You’ll clean out cabinets, and scrub floors, things you would have never done before pregnancy. Just be cautious not to overdo it.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “pregnancy brain,” and it isn’t a made up excuse for forgetfulness. Many pregnant women experience this because of the hormonal changes and all of the things they need to do and remember with the baby coming. Writing lists or setting alarms on your phone could help combat this.
Mood swings are a common occurrence in pregnant women. Unless the changes are severe, such as depression, lack of sleep or loss of appetite, you should have no worries. If you experience the latter, talk with your doctor immediately.
Sure your clothes won’t fit as your pregnancy goes on, but your shoes might not fit either. Swelling in the feet are very common and might result in you going up a shoe size for the course of your pregnancy.
During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone that relaxes your joints in preparation for birth, but this could be the catalyst for injury. You’re at a greater risk since your joint are looser, so use caution.
Because of the increase of blood volume, hemorrhoids are common during and after pregnancy. Constipation is also a common problem. You can help avoid these by eating a diet rich in fiber and drinking plenty of fluids.
Don’t be surprised when giving birth by the reaction your body has. It’s possible that during pushing, your bowels and bladder could evacuate. Some women even experience vomiting. Talk with your doctor beforehand about a birth plan to help keep your comfortable during these occurrences.
So now you have a baby, congrats! Of course the surprises never end, and you will experience them throughout your baby’s life. But here are just a few things to consider in the early days after your baby’s birth.
There are a few things to worry about when you bring home your new baby, aside from everything your mother and the parenting books told you.
Your baby is learning to eat, sleep, be around people, and is even adjusting to his or her new body (just like you are). How can you adjust to your baby so you can have a happy and comfortable relationship?
Wear your baby, to keep the both of you close and keep your baby happy. Some moms choose to breastfeed, but do whatever is most comfortable for both you and your baby. Sleep when you can. That might sound crazy since you’ve heard sleeping is scarce, and yes it might be. But you can’t be there for your baby fully if you’re not all there mentally or physically. You need to take care of yourself as well.
You should realize your schedule and priorities will change drastically. The ones things mom and dad should be focused on are the baby and each other. Spend as much time with your baby as humanly possible. The first year is when your baby bonds with you the most and needs that love and nurturing.
Enjoy your pregnancy, and post birth. You will soon have a beautiful child that you will love and care for and once you hold your baby, all of your worries will slip away and you’ll realize you’re more competent then you think.