Childbirth is the joy of many mothers. But you can never be too prepared for it.
It's not uncommon for people to read every book on pregnancy when they are pregnant. You may even find yourself frantically surfing the internet, researching to find some pieces of information to help you go past the initial jarring feeling associated with motherhood and pregnancy.
Reading about pregnancy and childbirth might not give you 100% of the information you need, but it would help. In most cases, until you experience it, you might not really understand what pregnancy and childbirth feel like.
You have probably heard many times about the joy of motherhood, which is great and worth dreaming of, but there is also the other side of it—the unpleasant side of motherhood—that you have to prepare for.
Below are some things worth keeping in mind as you get ready for motherhood.
The journey of motherhood starts with pregnancy, and with pregnancy comes weird feelings and symptoms. You have to be prepared for them.
When that feeling of nausea, food aversions, weird cravings, fatigue, frequent urination, and sore breasts hits you, do not feel like the whole universe is against you. The symptoms are pretty much normal—in most cases.
Even after childbirth, some days will feel strange. You might get postpartum syndrome, but not all mothers do. In all, you will find yourself looking at your baby in amazement and wondering how you pushed the bundle of joy out of your body.
You will need help during pregnancy and after childbirth. There are loads of things you cannot do alone. During the pregnancy period, you will need help carrying things and doing chores around the house.
And after pregnancy, you will need help with carrying your baby and nursing them. You might not be able to do the parenting alone. You will need help tutoring the child and grooming them into a fine sweet girl or boy.
So, if it ever gets overwhelming, do not hesitate to ask for help. Seek help from your family and friends, and of course, the presence of your spouse would help.
Here is where mothers need to tread with caution. When preparing for motherhood, it is easy to get so caught up in the whole activity that you totally neglect your spouse.
Some allow their baby time to take up their whole time, leaving little or nothing for their spouse. This can tear the home apart without you both realizing it.
Not all spouses are understanding, but even if you have one who is considerate and understanding, keep them company during this phase. Make time for them and ensure they are actively involved in the baby's life, right from when the baby kicks in your tummy.
Pregnant women or new mothers literally fuss over things and stress about almost everything. This is because they find it all overwhelming.
Life is already hard with you taking care of just yourself and your partner; you can now imagine adding a tiny little human to this list.
So you find yourself worrying about what to eat, what to wear for your comfort and that of the baby, baby clothing and other accessories to buy, breastfeeding the baby, and putting the baby to sleep, among other things.
However, practicing how to get things done efficiently even before motherhood sets in can help you. You will need to be good at doing many things quickly.
The need for rest cannot be overemphasized. Before you go into motherhood, you must know that you will face many responsibilities. However, rest is inevitable.
When you are tired, take a break and rest. You might want to take turns with your spouse to do some chores or call in someone to help you. Remember, too much stress can cause harm to you and the baby.
The early symptoms of pregnancy range from a missed menstrual period to nausea and fatigue and differs from one person to another. The only proof of pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. However, some early signs might suggest you are pregnant.
First signs or symptoms of pregnancy include:
A pregnant person might not experience all the symptoms listed above and might experience some unique symptoms not listed. However, the lists are common signs and symptoms of pregnancy that most people experience during their first trimester.
It is also important to note that many of the signs and symptoms are not unique to pregnancy. Some of them could be a sign of sickness or the onset of your menstrual period.
However, taking a home pregnancy test or seeing your health care provider will help you confirm whether you should start treating sickness or start getting ready for antenatal care.
Pregnancy is a delicate phase. It doesn't matter whether you are in your first trimester, second trimester or third trimester; you should be deliberate about taking care of yourself and your baby.
Pregnant women are always advised to rest, take vitamins, eat healthy foods, etc. Below is a comprehensive list of things to do during pregnancy for the safety of your unborn child.
On the other hand, there are certain things to avoid during pregnancy. Pregnant people are always advised to avoid drinking or smoking. Below is a comprehensive list of things to avoid during pregnancy for the safety of your unborn child.
Healthcare during pregnancy is important as it ensures that both expecting moms and their babies are healthy. Antenatal care and routine check-ups enable doctors to detect problems earlier during pregnancy.
It would be best to start prenatal care as early as possible, even within the first two weeks of pregnancy. The prenatal healthcare team should consist of:
Devise a pregnancy healthcare plan that should include:
The early signs of labor can be vague. Even mothers with previous pregnancy and childbirth experience may not know when a pregnancy's delivery time is near.
The trickle of fluid might be due to urine leaking because the baby is resting on your bladder and not because your water broke. Below are some signs of oncoming labor.
Whether you had vaginal surgery or underwent a cesarean section, you will feel tired, sore, and bruised after delivery. Recovery might take a while, but that is okay. Take the needed time off work and talk to your healthcare provider if the need arises.
Post-partum recovery takes time. Some women, after delivery, do not feel like their usual selves until after some months, while others recover fast, within 6-8 weeks of delivery.
After labor, you might experience any of the following:
There are certain things to do to speed up recovery after childbirth. To ease perineal pain, for instance, one can have warm sit baths for about 20 minutes. Icing the perineum can also help it heal. Acetaminophen can help ease aches and pains.
Below are things to do to improve postpartum health:
Pay attention to your body, especially after the first six weeks of childbirth. Successful delivery does not mean you are totally out of danger of health complications.
While nobody wishes for things to go wrong, it is often better to err on the side of caution. Thus, see a doctor anytime you feel something is wrong with you or with the baby.
Below are some symptoms that should warrant calling a doctor after childbirth: