Congratulations, you’re pregnant – let’s celebrate! After all, it’s not every day that you get a new job. In The Cradle Boss Baby’s new series, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, we dive into best practices to prepare for the little one(s) on the way. Catch up on Part 1, “Prepare for Pregnancy in 4 Easy Steps!”.
Spring has sprung! And while we are entering a new season, so are you – as a MOM (I know, crazy right?). Whether this is your first or your last brady of the bunch, The Cradle Boss Baby is here to help you with 3 BIG steps to take now that you’re pregnant.
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Tell People That You’re Pregnant
Whether it’s a call with a parent, partner, or nosy next-door neighbor, set the stress and good news free! It’s a wonderful way to talk through all your excitement and emotion about pregnancy with someone you can trust. Don’t be afraid to ask for any housework help like grocery shopping or cleaning you may need as well. You are housing a human after all! In the weeks following the good news, do your best to keep in tune with your thoughts. Take 5-10 minutes every morning to stand in front of the mirror and congratulate yourself on such an accomplishment. Just as you had plenty of time to get pregnant, you will have plenty of time to figure out next steps too.
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Set up a Prenatal Appointment
At your first trimester visit, you will be expected to discuss your medical history, such as family history, your menstrual cycle, medication use, lifestyle and plans to travel. Along with this, you will complete a physical exam, blood test and screening for fetal genetic abnormalities. You will also establish a due date. This is not a prediction, but simply a benchmark date when you are 40 weeks pregnant. According to Healthline, “you should generally expect to see your OBGYN once per month until week 28, twice per month from weeks 28 to 36 and weekly from week 36 to birth”. We advise you to speak directly with your OB on any complications or risks you may be facing while pregnant. Fun Fact: Between 6 and 7 weeks old after gestation, you might be able hear your baby’s heartbeat!
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Manage Your Symptoms, Mind Your Habits:
The first trimester of pregnancy lasts roughly 12 weeks and has its fair share of trials and tribulations. In first place, we have morning sickness, in second place, we have mood swings and in third place we have brain fog. Honorable mentions: Heartburn, tender breasts, and increased urination. Although there is no cure, here are some great ways to ease the pregnancy pain away:
- Sleep is your friend. Try to go to bed earlier or aim for at least 7 hours per night.
- Eat foods rich in iron and vitamin C to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Here are the top ways to prevent anemia according to Mayo Clinic.
- Lower your chances of morning sickness by eating smaller meals per day, staying hydrated and determining the root cause. What time of the day is your morning sickness occurring? What pre-pregnancy smells may be affecting it?
While you may not be able to control pregnancy symptoms, you can choose to control your habits. For example, liquids disruptive to your body and baby during pregnancy include alcohol, caffeine, sugary sodas, and unpasteurized milk. Swap these out for water, tea, and orange juice. Fun Fact: Good news coffee addicts! Did you know that instant coffee tends to have less caffeine than ground? If your caffeine intake is less than 200 milligrams per day, you are good to ‘joe.
The Cradle Boss Baby is the #1 resource for new and current parents. We help you break down the best practices for pregnancy, parenting and beyond. Our team is composed of highly skilled childcare specialists and caregivers (who are parents themselves!). We hope you are enjoying our NEW “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” Series – Part 3 coming soon!!
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Read the first article in our NEW series “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” HERE!
