An ultimate guide to pregnancy prep

When you find out you're pregnant, it can feel like you're suddenly bombarded with advice and warnings from your doctor, family members, and friends not to mention whatever alarming health news you might stumble upon online. Right from the pregnancy announcement their acute stress on the parents caring for another life that they don’t know much of. This chaos is will be there until the end, even after the baby is born. Since everyone is in a new territory. So, it's alright to make mistakes and learn from them. Although the internet is a rich source of information, It's confusing at the same time. Too many different types of information coming at you at the same time is hard and baffling. Whether you are a first-time parent-to-be or a parenting expert, pregnancy often throws up a million and one questions that we depend on online pregnancy resources to answer. Pregnancy blogs and Medical News cover stories about anything and everything from weekly development guides to personal birth stories which will help you get through all the stages.

There are just too many don’t and do's while you are pregnant. Like basic things like not enough vitamins or too much, even a little less folic acid content will alter your course of pregnancy. Many drugs even some over-the-counter ones aren't safe during pregnancy. If you take any medications to treat a chronic condition, don't stop cold turkey but do call your doctor right away to go through your medication list and find out what's safe and what's not. Mention everything, even vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Studies have linked high caffeine consumption to miscarriage and other pregnancy problems. So even coffee will become a problem. So, choose carefully and wisely. 

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 about what your daily routine involves, so you can come up with ways to avoid or eliminate hazards in your home and workplace. 

How to adapt to the new changes?

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. Avoiding hot dogs and luncheon meats, and smoked meats and meat spreads will be helpful. To give your pregnancy a nutritional boost, start eating nosh on colorful fruits and veggies, eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, yogurt, walnuts, beans, and more. Don't worry if you can't eat a well-rounded diet in your first-trimester nausea can make this difficult. 

Just do the best you can to follow the principles of eating well during pregnancy. Things like Walking- Taking a brisk walk is a great workout that doesn't strain your joints and muscles, Swimming and water workouts, riding a stationary bike, and Reading books will calm you down and will be a nice way to pass time during any period of your pregnancy.    

Talking with your baby, reading with your baby, and engaging in conversations is a great way to foster learning. Now there is new research evidence suggesting that babies begin learning patterns of language even before they are born. Talking and singing with your baby and reading with your baby even before birth can be a way to foster early social interactions and even later learning. Adventures, sports, cuisine, art, animals, science, and history are just some of the themes that you and your baby might enjoy sharing. Start sharing your taste in various places. Favorite music, Food and etc.  

What to read?

This book was quoted by Forbes magazine as the must-read book for expecting mothers - What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Dr. Alexandra Sacks and Dr. Catherine Birndorf- (reproductive psychiatrists)    
When you are pregnant, the focus is always so much on your developing baby, and your body reaching each milestone on the way. But there are deep mental changes that go on when you become a mother and no longer responsible just for your individual self. The book explains how it is normal to experience feelings that may feel unnerving, like panic when finding out you are pregnant after months of trying, or not feeling the love at first sight for your baby.   

If you're looking for a reassuring yet still medically accurate and up-to-date pregnancy book then goes for - The New Rules of Pregnancy, by Adrienne L. Simone MD, Jaqueline Worth MD, and Danielle Claro.  

Eleven Hours, by Pamela Erens - No other novel shows the wonder of childbirth quite like Pamela Erens’s Eleven Hours. The story begins when Lore checks herself into the hospital alone. Despite the absence of a partner or friends, she had planned out every aspect of her birth. She doesn’t want any intervention or monitoring  
 
Mothers will do anything for their children. In Stephanie Land’s debut memoir- Maid, she chronicles the struggle of providing for her daughter as a single mother in the Pacific Northwest. 

Reading books rather than seeing movies and TV series will help you have a good mood and put your baby at ease. Avoid movies as much as possible. The sounds might scare your baby. While you are on the hunt for good books why go for full-priced books. Try second-hand books, because you won't be needing them after 10 months so, you can recycle and reuse the books which are good for you and the environment. Try online Second-hand book shops like UsedBooksFactory. Where you can find everything you need, without walking out to shop by shop. 

Staying healthy throughout your pregnancy with proper prenatal guidelines and solutions is the key. And if you do get sick, know that there are ways to get the relief that is safe for you and your baby. Pregnancy may not always be smooth sailing, but your journey through these nine months can be more comfortable with good advice, helpful partners and loved ones, and a great sense of humor. Each Pregnancy stage comes with new challenges physically, emotionally, and psychologically.   

Set aside 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, and talk about that to your baby. It's a great way to initiate the bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.
  
You've got a lot to juggle. From announcing your pregnancy to building the perfect nursery, here's what you need to know about getting ready for the baby's arrival. When it comes to buying gear that comes with a wide range of bells and whistles and price tags to match, read up on products before you buy to find the model that's right for you. Preparing for the baby means arranging everything and buying the following for your baby’s arrival. Car seat, crib, stroller Baby proofing, and baby monitors. Do your research and getting help from everywhere possible like Pregnancy and Newborns blogs, magazines, and books.

Conclusion

You might want to wait on certain purchases like Carrier until after your baby is born so you can determine which style your papoose prefers plus your baby’s size might affect your decision. Begin your babies’ book collection early. No matter what you read or learn, surf through will be enough or perfect for your baby. There come instincts that will help you through it all. 
Nobody understands what you're going through as well as other expecting moms in the same stage of pregnancy. Connect with women due the same month as you are in. You could use all the moral support you can get. It's all going to be worth it in the end.
 
Happy pregnancy, Happy life!