Hello everyone!Welcome to my humble abode- my new baby craze teritorry which will be filled with lots of baby stuff findings, researches, tips and also lil goodies for mums to be out there!
First & foremost Congrats to you new mumsies & thank you for following my mummyhood journey!
As we know being a mummy to be is a total different journey! Saying Bye bye to virgin bodies & hello to new changes and new mums hood world.. Its definite a scary world out there compared to our previous selves...
Being a new mummy to be is a quite adventure. Everything will change right after this very moment and we all mummies in the world can guarantee you will never be the same anymore. Its totally mixed feelings, exciting, nervous wreck and worry all at the same time!
First, after seeing a glimpse of positive pregnancy test confirms the new coming bub.. im sure you mummies out there wondering.. ok whats next? Unlike the daddios- they would beam happily cos their lil 'tadpoles' successfully secured the lil eggs inside... so mummies.. sometimes the rest of us are left feeling blur, excited and worried at the same time. Not to worry- its pretty normal there.. cos your hormones are definitely kickin in at this right moment..
So before you panic and start becoming mumtobezilla with the overloaded hormones, i suggest you take a deep breath and start preparing on whats to come..
Are you ready mumsies?
(Article below via BabyCenter)
So mumsies, during pregnancy, its true a miracle unfolds inside you!! Without realising, your baby's growing, your body's changing, and your hormones are surging..... (bear in mind there would be emo outbursts or extra tears watching that romantic movies or perhaps easily angered over small tiny issues..), and in many ways you're just along for the ride. But dont worry so much on those things, cos there are plenty of things you can do to make your journey as safe and enjoyable as possible and to prepare for what's to come...
Be open and start reading abit on pregnancies so that you can understand more about your body changing & the rest of the package that comes with it. Have some girl on girl talks (with your mum or mummy gfs) if you have any issues concerning pregnancies. Dont bottle up your emotions cos thats the last thing you need if it erupts like volcano.
Also get your partner to be involved as much as possible by asking them to join along your doc checkups and read on the pregnancy stuffs.. in that case they wont be shocked seeing you throwing tantrum of all sudden and they can hold your hand during your low moments (the morning sickness episodes)
Do read on the ultimate pregnancy to-do list so that it can help you keep on track with all your tasks, from prenatal appointments and tests to baby showers, baby names, and babymoons. Gadget mumsies! Do download baby applications such as BabyCenter etc on your iphones/androids so that they includes the must-do's for your health and your baby's as well as the fun stuff that makes pregnancy so memorable. Plus they have reminders, tips and baby info during your whole pregnancy so that when you got checkup you have a slight idea what is a sac too! (lol) Don't worry about checking off every item on the list – just use em' as a helpful guide to the next months.
Activities for your first trimester
Make sure you're really pregnant
Most home pregnancy tests can accurately detect pregnancy in the week after your period is normally due – two weeks after you ovulate. If the test shows a negative or a faintly positive result, wait another few days or a week and try again if you still haven't gotten your period.
- Make Appointment to see your Gynae
I suppose some mumsies love to hear the word direct from the Gynae, like how far they are along, when are they due and bla bla bla. Good part of seeing a your doc, they gona prescribe you with Pre-Natal vitamins or medication to ensure your baby's development. At this stage, your 1st Trimester.. you gonna be a lil bit delicate than usual.. so dont worry and try enjoy the new glow mumsie moments!
Psst also dont forget bring along you partner to the appointments.. the more involved they are, the more special the bond will be between you, your partner and the baby!
- Take your prenatal vitamin
So mummies, if you haven't started taking a prenatal vitamin yet, now's the time to start. It's particularly critical to get enough folic acid while trying to conceive and during your first trimester. Folic acid greatly reduces your baby's risk of developing neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
- Investigate on Costs
We know some mummies are so worried about the medical costs, so its best to make sure you know what your health insurance plan covers are... Have a research on your prenatal care and delivery costs, as well as care for your new baby. ..Ask around by calling your health insurance provider or talking to your company's benefits department or perhaps medical centers on the possible costs to incur. Inquiry with mummyhood gfs will help too as they have been through this similar situation before and they often add in few tips & advises on which gynae, medical practice or centers etc.
Bottom line- dont be shy to ask around!
- Choose a caregiver/gynae/mid wife/pantang mdm
For some of us we uphold very strong natal tradition & care. And to some culture post natal care is very important in making sure we recover well and adjusting to the new mummyhood. So, if you already have a caregiver you love (who cares for pregnant women and delivers babies), you're set. But if you havent chose one, you've got some homework to do. Talk to friends and relatives, and find out more about these to ensure your post natal care in check.
- Make a prenatal appointment
Depending on some pregnancies, whilst some chose to see their gynae once a month or twice, those who opt for caregivers won't see you until you're at least 8 weeks pregnant (2 months along), but you'll want to get on their calendar well before this since appointments can fill up fast.
To prepare, jot down the first day of your last period so your caregiver can determine your due date and start making a list of any questions that arise. Talk to relatives on both sides about your families' medical histories. Your caregiver will want to know whether any chronic conditions or genetic abnormalities run in either of your families.
- If you smoke, quit
Smoking raises your risk of a host of problems, including miscarriage, placental problems, and preterm birth. It also slows fetal growth and increases the risk of stillbirth and infant death. Some research has even linked smoking to a greater risk of having a baby with a cleft lip or palate.
It's never too late to quit or cut back. Every cigarette you don't light gives your baby a better chance of being healthy.
- Stop drinking alcohol
As little as one drink a day can raise the odds of low birth weight as well as your child's risk of problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity.
No one knows exactly how harmful even the smallest amount of alcohol may be to a developing baby, so skip the booze altogether.
- Cut down on caffeine
Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. That's why the March of Dimes advises expectant moms to limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day (that's about one 12-ounce cup of coffee).
- Make sure your activities are pregnancy-safe
Some activities, jobs, and hobbies can be hazardous to you and your developing baby. There are chores you should avoid now, and everyday things in your home – such as cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, and lead in drinking water from old pipes – to steer clear of.
If you're routinely exposed to chemicals, heavy metals (like lead or mercury), certain biologic agents, or radiation – as can happen in some research and medical jobs – you'll need to make changes as soon as possible.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about what your daily routine involves, so you can come up with ways to avoid or eliminate hazards in your home and workplace.
- Start avoiding hazardous foods
During pregnancy it's especially important to avoid foods that could contain bacteria, parasites, or toxins – including undercooked meat, unpasteurized soft cheeses, anything that contains raw eggs, sushi made with raw fish, raw oysters and other shellfish, fish that's high in mercury, and raw sprouts. Use caution with deli-style salads (especially those containing protein, like egg, chicken, ham, and seafood), hot dogs and luncheon meats, and smoked meats and meat spreads.
- Do your best to eat well
Don't worry if you can't eat a well-rounded diet in your first trimester – nausea can make this impossible. Just do the best you can to follow the seven principles of eating well during pregnancy.
- Stock your kitchen with healthy stuff
Make your pantry, fridge, and freezer pregnancy-friendly by filling them with healthy eats like nuts, fresh and dried fruit, multigrain pasta, and yogurt.
- Get relief from morning sickness
Unfortunately, "morning sickness" can last all day – and it strikes about three-quarters of pregnant women during the first trimester. If you have a milder case, some relatively simple measures may be enough to help. Try eating small, frequent meals and snacks and sticking to bland, room-temperature foods. Ginger and acupressure bands work for some women. If these things don't help, talk with your provider about taking vitamin B6 or an anti-nausea medication – these are considered safe and effective during pregnancy.
- Go to bed early
In early pregnancy you may be more exhausted than you ever imagined you could be. Get more rest by turning in early – even if it makes you feel like a grandma.
Find out more about pregnancy fatigue, and learn the basics of good sleep during pregnancy.
- Consider your options for prenatal testing
During your first trimester, your caregiver will offer you various screening tests that can give you information about your baby's risk for Down syndrome as well as other chromosomal problems and birth defects. A diagnostic test called chorionic villus sampling (CVS) may also be offered – this is generally done at 11 to 12 weeks. Or you may consider waiting until your second trimester for amniocentesis.
- Learn the signs of a pregnancy problem
So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what's not. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less problematic depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Here's a rundown of symptoms that could be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these complaints, call your doctor or midwife immediately.
- Think about when and how you'll announce your pregnancy
Some women spill the beans to friends, family, and co-workers right away. Others wait until they're in their second trimester, when their pregnancy is well established and the risk of miscarriage has declined significantly. But if you're having morning sickness or pregnancy complications, or if your job is strenuous or potentially dangerous, you may have to tell folks (like your supervisor) sooner than you'd planned.
- Follow your baby's development
Sign up for BabyCenter's free email newsletters and each week you'll learn exactly what's going on with both your pregnancy and your baby.
- Start taking belly photos
Have someone take a picture of you every week, or take your own picture using your reflection in a mirror. It's a great way to see your progress, and you'll love having the keepsake.
Tips for a great shot: Consider wearing the same outfit, standing in the same spot, and striking the same pose (profiles work best) for each photo.
- Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby
Set aside two five- to ten-minute periods a day to think about your baby. Just after waking up and before going to sleep works well for many expectant moms. During these times, sit quietly and gently rest your hands on your belly. Focus on your breathing and then start thinking about your baby (your hopes and dreams, your intentions as a parent, and so on). It's a great way to initiate the bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.
- Buy some new bras and undies
If your breasts are sore, get a good supportive cotton bra. Maternity bras can offer extra support, so try a couple on to see whether you like them. Your breasts might go up one or two more sizes, especially if this is your first pregnancy, and a knowledgeable sales associate can help you with sizing. And as your abdomen expands, maternity briefs, bikinis, and even thongs – if that's your thing – can make a bigger difference in your comfort than you may realize.
- Have sex if you feel up to it
In your first trimester, you may feel too tired, moody, or nauseated to make love. But if you're feeling amorous (and you don't have any complications that may make sex dangerous), go ahead – you won't hurt the baby. The amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus protect your baby, and the thick mucus plug that seals the cervix helps guard against infection.
- Talk to your partner about parenting
To get the conversation going, try this creative writing exercise: Each of you makes two lists, one titled "My mother always..." and one titled "My mother never..." Then do the same for "My father always…" and "My father never..." When you're done, talk about what you wrote down and decide together which behaviors you value and which you'd like to change as you raise your child.
- Make a baby budget
Think about how you'll handle new-baby expenses – the cost of clothes, food, diapers, toys, and gear can add up fast. Brainstorm where you can trim your budget to make room for your baby's needs. Consider making some budget adjustments now, and start banking your savings for your baby. For more information, check our Baby Costs Calculator.
- Get ready to see or hear your baby
At a prenatal visit around 9 to 12 weeks, you may get to hear your baby's rapid heartbeat with the help of a Doppler fetal monitor. Many women say it sounds like the thunder of galloping horses.
Some women have an ultrasound as early as 4 or 5 weeks (though the standard is between 16 and 20 weeks). If you do get to see your baby in the first trimester, don't be surprised if he or she looks like a lima bean with a tiny, flickering heart.
- Start a baby name list
You have plenty of time to decide on a baby name – but it's fun to start writing down the possibilities.
Next: What are the TO DO's on Every Trimester...
Moderated by Ms d source Baby Center
