You are pregnant? Congratulations!
Hey Mama, I’m Annabelle, nurse, birth doula, and Mom. I have a passion to help Moms like you. You have a big adventure ahead of you, and you are wondering about a lot of things. Let me shed some light and help you with some first steps in your pregnancy.
First things first…
Take your prenatal vitamin! It is preferable to start taking prenatal vitamins before pregnancy, but there is no time like the present. Folic acid is the BIG need in the prenatal vitamin as it helps reduce your baby’s risk of developing a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Try to take your prenatal at the same time everyday so that you don’t forget.
Second
Call to make a prenatal appointment. Don’t be worried if your healthcare provider schedules your appointment out 9 to 12 weeks gestation. This is normal. Be prepared for the appointment by making a list with the first day of your last menstrual cycle, your medical history, medications, your family medical history, and any allergies you have.
Third
“Get healthy.” This is the time to stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, and reduce your caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day (about two 8 ounce cups of regular coffee). Also, cut out the fast food like chips, fries, ice cream, and cookies. Your baby needs a lot of nutrients to grow, and highly processed foods don’t have those nutrients. Also, it is important for your health to reduce your sugar intake to prevent gestational diabetes (try to eat less than 25 g per day / 6 teaspoons per day). Try foods like spinach, kale, avocado, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, cocoa powder, blueberries, steak, chicken, and pork loin.
Fourth
Get active during your pregnancy. Exercise such as a brisk walk everyday, swimming, resistance training, and stretching are very important for the health of you and your baby. You can prepare your body for birth and reduce your risk for C-Section by walking everyday. Make sure to avoid dangerous activities like contact sports, or any activity that puts you at great risk for falling.
Fifth
Get in the know! It is important to learn about your body, your baby, and the best ways to prepare for birth-day. Labor and birth present BIG life, emotional, and physical changes. It is important for you to learn all that you can so that you can be fearless in labor, and say, “I did all that I could to bring this baby into the world safely and in good health.”
Do you want some help making a plan for birth? I have created my FREE Natural Birth Workbook just for you. This 4 Step Process is a great start if you are considering a med-free birth. Download below…
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