Make Way For Baby

So, you've decided you're ready for a baby, or at least as ready as you're going to be. Starting a family can be an exciting journey, and you're eager to get going. I have created a list for you with the main pointers to consider (and in no particular order). Keep reading and I'll point you towards some of the first decisions you will encounter on the path to parenthood.

1. Prenatal Vitamins

The moment you decide you want to have a baby, it's a good idea to start taking a prenatal multi-vitamin. Find something with Folic Acid, as well as DHA if possible. I happened to be in the aisle at the same time as another mom and she recommended Jamieson Prenatal +DHA. She claimed it was one of few that doesn't cause adverse side effects such as nausea. Seeing as I haven't tried any others, I can't compare them, but I have not once experienced any side effects while taking them. Another perk with these is that you're not forced to take multiple capsules or tablets a day. All your vitamins and minerals are conveniently packed into one manageable soft-gel. For someone who's body doesn't respond well at the thought of taking anything, this was a godsend.

2. Quit Bad Habits

If you smoke, now may be the time to consider quitting. Even before you get pregnant, smoking can actually lower your fertility and therefore your chances of pregnancy. If your partner smokes, consider teaming up and quitting together. Personally, I was at 5-10 cigarettes a day. I started cutting down in the days before my next ovulation, so that by the time I was ovulating, I was down to 2-3/day. I also vape so I was switching over to that which really helped me. Some may argue that vaping is no better, but in the end the only one who knows what's best for you, is you.

2.5 Booze

Another bad habit to kick is alcohol. Alcohol can cause permanent damage to your baby, even before you know you're pregnant. An estimated 1 in every 100 babies in Canada are born with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). The safest choice is to avoid alcohol completely.

3. Your Schedule

Take some time to figure out your schedule. Are you going to go on maternity/paternity leave? Will you be staying at your job, switching to a different job, or quit to be a stay at home mom? For work, will your job be flexible if you encounter morning sickness and need to leave? Does your position involve heavy lifting that could harm you or your baby during pregnancy? Also take into consideration things like daycare, school, and any other schedules involved such as a significant other.

4. Food

Now is also a good time to review your diet. Eatting meals with proper nutrition is key to a healthy body. Maintaining a complete diet can increase your odds of pregnancy as your body is more capable of caring for and developing a child. I got together with my sister one day and with $100 in groceries we were able to make 3 large freezer meals that served Rex and I for weeks. Not to mention all the remaining ingredients that I was able to take home again with me and use in fresh meals in between. I would definitely recommend you consider freezer meals, especially as you approach your due date. Taking care of a newborn can be exhausting, and being able to throw a home-cooked meal into the oven without any prep work can be a lifesaver. For some of my favourite picks, go to my pinterest page here.

5. Fitness

Another factor affecting your health is your fitness. In this case there's not much I can give you for advice. A good rule of thumb is 30 minutes per day. So for someone who is very athletic, this means cutting back, whereas if you're not active, it's time to get off the couch. Even 30 mins of stretching will help. Your best bet is to meet up with your doctor and have them evaluate your current condition. Your doctor will be able to tell you what a healthy amount of exercise would amount to for you. Personally, I never exercised before, so I've started liesurely strolls with our dog to stay in shape without physically exerting myself or unintentionally causing harm. After you find out you're pregnant, a good measurement for excerise as far as exhertion goes, is that you should be able to stop at any point in time and hold a conversation without being out of breath.

6. Shop Ahead

Unless you're rolling in big stacks of cash, you're going to want to shop ahead. Large purchases like strollers, cribs, and car seats are much easier if you can tackle them one-at-a-time instead of having to grab it all last-minute. It's also helpful to start collecting other items such as pacifiers, toys, diapers, and bottles. You may want to consider starting a stash of unisex baby clothing, such as onesies, sleepers, and socks as well.

*Originally posted on September 4, 2017*