Deciding whether to go through with a pregnancy and to give birth to a little miracle is one of the toughest choices any woman can and probably will make. The outcome of the decision is one that will change a life forever. These helpful steps will help you weigh the pros and cons of doing the right thing before and after giving birth to a baby, ranging from finances and emotional readiness to nutrition and making sure that the future father is ready for the arrival.
Table of contents:
1. Successful conception
First of all, congratulations on conceiving successfully! If you and your partner were thinking about starting a family, then you are obviously sure of your decision and are aware of what it takes to raise a child. But if you didn’t plan this, you have a lot of thinking to do, and a few tips are waiting right here!
2. The cost of raising a child
The costs of raising a child are what most couples call “mouth-opening”. According to a few statistics, it takes approximately $218,000 to raise a child until the age of 18, which will give you a good idea about what kind of funds you will need to provide to make sure your child lives a healthy and happy life. You and your partner will need to figure out lots of schedules, and it is recommended to create a budget to control spending and to make sure that most of it goes into prenatal care and then, of course, the care of your child.
3. Emotional exhaustion
Then comes emotional exhaustion. Looking at your cute little bundle of joy sleeping in your arms is an unrivaled feeling, but so is having to deal with all the loud noises, the created messes, and the necessary cleaning, every day for at least the next few years or so. All of this will create a great feeling of exhaustion and will make the day seem 10 hours long, but this is where your partner should come in and help you out in a time of need. You may feel like screaming and crying all day because of depression or because of the loss of freedom, but remember that the baby is the most important person right now, and you will be rewarded for your troubles.
More: 7 Tips for Choosing a Baby Name
4. Healthy eating
Supplying healthy and nutritious meals is a very important part of having a healthy pregnancy, and later, a healthy baby. The best prenatal vitamins include Vitamin A, which helps in bone and tooth growth and can be found in milk, eggs, and plenty of vegetables, Vitamin E, which helps form muscles and red blood cells and can be found in vegetable oil, spinach, and in certain cereals, Vitamin C, which can help build a healthy immune system and can be found in strawberries, potatoes, broccoli, and tomatoes.
Your daily eating plan should also include Iron, which can help prevent low birth weight and premature delivery and can be found in beef, pork, and dried fruits, Protein, which helps in the reparation of cells and can be found in most animal foods, and Zinc, which helps regulate the amount of glucose in the blood and can be found in red meats, whole grains, and dairy products. All of these will provide a healthy diet, and are highly recommended for the mother and the baby during as well as after pregnancy.
5. Communication
Speaking to your partner about the baby can be a tense conversation, because he may not have the same idea in mind as you. He might be looking forward to a baby-free life, or in general, may not want to be responsible for the baby. Or, he might be very excited and want to help you in every way.
There are plenty of different emotions that can come out of a future father, and whether they are good or bad, they need to be talked about, and some agreements need to be made. This step is very important, as you will not be able to handle a pregnancy alone, and will need all the support you can get.
There are plenty of aspects of pregnancy-related problems to be stressed about, and there are a lot of things to be excited about as well. Being able to become a mother is a gift that needs to be cherished, and only the best has to be given in order to raise a happy and successful child. Are you ready, future moms and dads? A journey awaits, and you will never forget it!
