Pregnant? Get Ready for the Wildest (and Best) Ride of Your Life!
There are some people who, when you announce that you’re expecting, will immediately launch into their own birth stories. You’ll be treated to the good, the bad, and the ugly of labor and delivery. Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? You know about the regular check-ups, prenatal vitamins, and foods to avoid. As your brain, body, and mind adjust to this new miracle you’ve created, here are some tips and suggestions on how to prepare for parenthood.
Getting Your Life and Home Ready
When you come home from the hospital or birthing center — whether you’ve had a c-section or vaginal birth — you’re going to be tired. Make no apology for the exhaustion. You’ve earned the right to take it easy as you and your baby get to know each other and learn each other’s rhythms. The following is by no means an all-encompassing list of must-dos. Tweak and adjust it based on what you need and what you want, like birth attendant and midwifery educator Gloria Lemay recommends.
- Determine sleeping arrangements.
Decide, with your partner, what will work best for your family: co-sleeping in your room, using a pack-n-play with a bassinet insert, or a crib.
- Create baby stations.
Set up stations on each floor of your home. Stock changing stations with plenty of diapers, wipes, and lotion. If you’re bottle-feeding your baby, stash some supplies upstairs in the bathroom or where it’s convenient for a 3 a.m. feeding. If you’re hoping to nurse, fill an upstairs and a downstairs basket with supplies that include nipple cream, nursing pads and pillows, and nursing bras so you’ll have everything you need handy when baby is hungry. Keep in mind that the most comfortable kind of breastfeeding bra has stretchy fabric with plenty of give and no wires, while the ideal nursing pillow will conform to your shape and have features that make it adaptable to your changing post-baby body.
- Stock up on diapers.
The amount of diapers a newborn uses is astounding. Whether you’re planning to use disposable or cloth diapers, have plenty on hand to avoid the panic of running out in the middle of the night.
- Stock up on food.
If you like to cook, great! You still probably won’t feel much like standing at a stove for a while after you’ve come home. Make life easy by preparing and freezing meals ahead of time. When friends and family ask what they can do to help, coordinate a daily (or every-other-day) drop-off of ready-to-eat meals so you don’t have to cook. Check out meal delivery options, too.
- Stock up on essentials.
Don’t forget items like toilet paper, pet food, toiletries, and other items you replace regularly. Now’s a great time to investigate AmazonFresh, Instacart, Peapod, and Walmart delivery services, too.
- Audit your home’s safety.
You won’t need to worry about an active toddler right away — but babies usually start crawling between six and 10 months. Prep now before you’re sleep-deprived. Lock away any medicines, cleaning supplies, toxic chemicals, laundry detergents, firearms, and anything else that poses a hazard. Verify that your houseplants aren’t toxic to little people. Secure furniture that tips easily, cover electric sockets, install safety latches on cabinets and drawers, and move dangling window and appliance cords.
- Give your home a good, thorough cleaning.
If you find yourself nesting during that final trimester and want to tackle everything yourself, go for it. If not, hire a cleaning service. Don’t forget about your carpets, because baby will spend a lot of tummy time down there! Once the baby arrives, consider having the cleaning service come monthly.
Here are more “big picture” suggestions from Parents to help you control (or contain) the chaos.
You’ll hear stories of stress, sleeplessness, and exhaustion — don’t let them take away from the incredibly overwhelming love you’ll feel, baby giggles, and celebrations over every one of your baby’s discoveries and achievements. There’s no perfect way to do anything, so give yourself permission to “do you.” The newborn stage zooms by in an eye-blink; embrace every moment. The laundry will wait!
Photo Credit: Pexels.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
