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New moms spend a whopping 1,400 hours exploring the internet to learn how to make their babies happy and healthy. This worry is totally expected, as taking care of a baby is a whole new level of responsibility.
But guess what? Getting pregnant is just the beginning, and it's super important for your baby's health!
To start things off right, here are 7 super helpful tips for first-time pregnancies.
1) Avoid Caffeine:
Drinking caffeine during pregnancy can bring some bigger health risks. Caffeine moves through your body slower and goes into your baby's blood from the placenta.
This means that the caffeine effects like a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and an active nervous system affect both you and your baby.
This could increase the chances of a miscarriage. Even small sips might make your baby weigh less when born – by around 13%!
Why not try switching to naturally decaffeinated herbal tea without caffeine? Just remember to talk to your doctor first, as certain herbs can cause premature labor.
2) Regular Exercise:
Having a baby is tough on both your body and your mind. But don't worry, you can fight the pain and mood swings of pregnancy by exercising regularly.
Doing gentle exercises can help with back pain, boost your blood flow, and make you feel better. Plus, it makes your muscles and ligaments stronger for when you give birth.
Some fantastic exercises that are gentle on your body include swimming and walking. Yoga is great too – it can make it easier to have a baby and prenatal yoga helps your hips, relaxes you, and calms restlessness.
But be careful! Lifting heavy weights or doing really hard cardio workouts may do more harm than good.
3) Drink Plenty of Water:
If you're a first-time mom, you need to know that your body needs more water than usual because it becomes part of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby.
Not getting enough fluid could lead to issues such as miscarriage or birth defects, and even make the labor process more complicated. So, remember to keep yourself well-hydrated for a smoother journey!
When you're pregnant, you can get thirsty pretty quickly because your body needs more water than before. Experts suggest drinking around 10 cups of water (that's 8 ounces each) every day to make sure you stay well-hydrated.
And guess what? Drinking enough water can also help relieve swollen joints and flush out toxins that's built up in your body.
4) Take naps:
Feeling tired, especially in the first few months of pregnancy, is totally normal. Your body is going through changes because of the hormones, and that affects your energy levels.
This is the time to catch up on your sleep and let your body relax. After the baby arrives, resting won't be as easy. Your sleep schedule will be become irregular and not as complete.
So, why not treat yourself to a nap in the afternoon? It's a great way to recharge and reduce stress from work and your personal life, which is good for your baby too.
Don't forget, getting the right amount of sleep at night is super important too. As your pregnancy goes on, sleeping at night might get harder. You'll need to use the bathroom more often and finding a comfy position with your growing bump can be tricky.
Here's a tip: if you're losing sleep at night, make up for it by sleeping more during the day and invest in a pregnancy pillow that goes in between your thighs and under your belly. A pillow will help align your hips to take the pressure off of your back and pelvis.
5) Prenatal Massage:
Before your baby arrives, plan a special time for a professional prenatal massage.
This gentle massage can really help with lower back pain, which can bother you during pregnancy. It also boosts your blood flow and gets rid of swelling caused by inflammation.
Just a heads up, it's best to avoid getting a massage at the start of your first three months of pregnancy. Most experts won't give massages during this time because there's a higher chance of having a miscarriage. But don't worry, you can totally get a massage any time after that, right up until your due date. Also avoid lifting heavy weights, instead choose to carry maternity friendly products.
6) Make a birth plan:
The journey of being a mom starts when your baby is born. You really want to make this moment extra special and super safe. That's why having a birthing plan is essential!
A birth plan is like a super tool that helps you learn and get organized about what you want before your big delivery day. It covers everything about how you'll have your baby, how you'll recover, and how your new little one will be taken care of right after they're born.
Getting your baby dressed up is fun, but it needs some good planning. You definitely don't want to run out of clothes when your baby has a growth spurt. So, plan to buy baby outfits that are one size bigger from their current age. Those tiny newborn clothes won't last long, so just grab a few more.
7) Go Shopping:
Get super excited for your adorable baby by getting all those important and cute baby things ready. Find the best mother care products that would help you in storing baby care products.
You can set up the nursery with a cozy crib, a handy changing table, a comfy rocking chair, and a nice dresser. And hey, pick a vibrant colour for the walls and some cool decorations for the windows to make your baby smile.
And let's not forget about comfy blankets, cute bibs, bottles for feeding,and some fun starter toys.
These tips will get you all set before your delivery by saving your time, and help you keep yourself relaxed without hurry both physically and mentally.
