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Creating Your Birth Plan: A Guide to Prepare for Your Baby’s Arrival

As you eagerly anticipate the arrival of your little one, it’s essential to think ahead and consider your birth plan. A birth plan is a valuable document that outlines your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care! However, before you grab that pen and start jotting down your preferences, it’s important to conduct thorough research and arm yourself with knowledge. In this guide, we will walk you through the crucial steps of creating a birth plan that aligns with your desires and priorities!

Step 1: Do Your Research

Before embarking on the birth plan journey, it’s important to invest time in gathering information. Explore various birthing options available to you, such as hospital births, home births, or birthing centers. Engage in meaningful conversations with your healthcare provider, who can enlighten you about the available choices and provide insights into their policies! The more informed you are, the more empowered you will be to make well-informed decisions regarding your birth experience.

Step 2: List Your Preferences

Reflect upon what matters most to you during labor and delivery. Contemplate whether you desire a natural birth or if you are open to pain management options. Consider who you want to be present in the delivery room, taking into account any religious or cultural preferences. Compile a comprehensive list of your preferences, and engage in open discussions with your partner and healthcare provider to ensure shared understanding.

Step 3: Write It Down

With your research done and preferences outlined, it’s time to transform your thoughts into a tangible birth plan. Remember, clarity and conciseness are key. Draft a document that clearly communicates your wishes for labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Be sure to include any special requests or specific accommodations that are important to you.

Step 4: Share Your Plan

Once your birth plan is finalized, it’s essential to share it with your healthcare provider and anyone else who will be present during the birth. This includes your partner, family members, or support individuals. Sharing your plan ensures that everyone involved is well-informed and on the same page, fostering a collaborative and supportive birthing environment.

Step 5: Be Flexible

It is vital to acknowledge that birth is a unique and unpredictable experience. Despite meticulous planning, circumstances may arise that necessitate adjustments to your original birth plan. Remember to remain flexible and open-minded, trusting in the expertise of your healthcare provider. They are there to prioritize your safety and the well-being of your baby, and together, you can navigate any unexpected twists and turns that may arise.

Creating a birth plan is an invaluable part of preparing for the birth of your baby. By conducting thorough research, listing your preferences, documenting them, sharing your plan, and embracing flexibility, you will feel more confident and prepared to make informed decisions during your birth experience! Remember, your healthcare provider is your ally, working alongside you to ensure the safest and healthiest birth for both you and your precious little one.

Now, take a deep breath, embrace this transformative journey, and trust in the remarkable strength and resilience of your body as you welcome your bundle of joy into the world.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your specific needs and preferences regarding your birth plan.

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Gender Predictions: Old Wives Tales for Expecting Moms

When it comes to predicting the gender of an unborn baby, old wives tales have been used for generations as a fun and sometimes accurate way to guess whether you’re having a boy or girl. While some of these tales are just myths and superstitions, others have been backed up by scientific research. Here are some of the most popular old wives tales for predicting the gender of a baby:

Carrying High or Low:

One of the most common old wives tales suggests that the way you carry your baby can indicate its gender. According to this tale, if you’re carrying high, it means you’re having a girl, while if you’re carrying low, it means you’re having a boy.

Heart Rate:

Another popular tale says that the heart rate of a baby can predict its gender. If the baby’s heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute, it’s a boy, and if it’s more than 140 beats per minute, it’s a girl.

Cravings:

The foods you crave during pregnancy may also indicate the gender of your baby. According to this tale, if you’re craving salty and savory foods, it means you’re having a boy, while if you’re craving sweet foods, it means you’re having a girl.

Morning Sickness:

It’s said that if you’re experiencing severe morning sickness during your first trimester, it’s a sign that you’re having a girl. If you’re not experiencing morning sickness or it’s relatively mild, it means you’re having a boy.

Skin Condition:

Some old wives tales say that if you’re experiencing acne during pregnancy, it means you’re having a girl, while if your skin is clear, it means you’re having a boy.

Mood Swings:

Another tale suggests that if you’re experiencing more mood swings and feeling more irritable during pregnancy, it means you’re having a boy. If you’re feeling more mellow, it means you’re having a girl.

While some of these old wives tales may seem silly, many expectant parents swear by them. However, it’s important to remember that they’re not scientifically proven, and the only way to know the gender of your baby for sure is through ultrasound or genetic testing.

In the end, whether you’re having a boy or girl, the most important thing is that your baby is healthy and happy. So enjoy your pregnancy, and don’t stress too much about predicting your baby’s gender.

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Feeling Your Baby Move: When to Expect Those Magical Kicks!

Pregnancy is a magical time filled with anticipation, excitement, and lots of changes. One of the most exciting moments is feeling the baby move for the first time. But when does that happen? Many first-time moms may wonder when they will start feeling their baby’s movements.

The timeline for when you start feeling your baby move can vary depending on your body, your baby, and how far along you are in your pregnancy. But typically, most women will start to feel their baby’s movements between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

For first-time moms, it’s more common to start feeling the baby’s movements closer to the 24-week mark. But don’t worry if you haven’t felt anything yet. Every pregnancy is unique, and it may take longer for you to feel your baby’s movements.

Once you start feeling your baby move, it’s important to pay attention to their movement patterns. Every baby has their own movement routine, so take note of when your baby is most active throughout the day. As you get further along in your pregnancy, the movements will become more frequent and stronger.

But what exactly will the baby’s movements feel like? For some women, it may feel like a little flutter or a gentle poke. Others may describe it as a sensation similar to butterflies in their stomach. As your baby grows, the movements will become more pronounced, and you’ll start feeling kicks, punches, and rolls.

It’s important to remember that if you ever feel concerned about your baby’s movements, you should contact your doctor or midwife right away. They can assess whether everything is progressing normally and provide any necessary guidance.

In conclusion, feeling your baby move for the first time is an exciting milestone in pregnancy. While it’s different for every woman, most first-time moms will start feeling their baby’s movements between 16 and 24 weeks. Pay attention to your baby’s movement patterns, and if you have any concerns, reach out to your healthcare provider.

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Surviving Morning Sickness: Tips and Tricks for Feeling Better During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an incredible journey filled with many milestones, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the most common challenges is morning sickness. In fact, about 70% of pregnant women experience it. Unfortunately, it’s not always in the morning, despite the name.

Morning sickness typically starts around week 6 of pregnancy and reaches its peak at 9 weeks. For most women, morning sickness will resolve itself between weeks 12 and 14. However, for some, it may persist throughout the pregnancy.

Did you know that morning sickness is proven to be genetic? If your mom or sister had severe morning sickness in their pregnancies, it’s likely that you will too. It’s essential to let your doctor know if you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, so they can provide the best advice to help you manage it.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or alleviate morning sickness symptoms. One of the most effective ways is to eat smaller meals more frequently. Eating every 2-3 hours will keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help prevent nausea.

Mint tea is also a great option to help alleviate nausea. Ginger candies or ginger tea can also help. Some women also find that eating foods high in carbs and low in fat can help reduce morning sickness symptoms.

It’s also essential to get plenty of sleep and rest during pregnancy, especially if you’re experiencing morning sickness. Lack of sleep can make nausea worse and make it harder to manage.

Lastly, try eating some crackers or dry toast first thing in the morning. This can help settle your stomach and prevent morning sickness from kicking in.

In conclusion, morning sickness is a common experience for many pregnant women. While it’s not always possible to prevent it entirely, there are things you can do to manage and alleviate the symptoms. If you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to get the best advice and support. With a few helpful tips and some self-care, you can navigate through morning sickness and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

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Fit for Two: Safe and Comfortable Exercise During Pregnancy

Maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy can offer many benefits, including better sleep, reduced stress, and a healthy weight gain. However, many women may be hesitant to exercise while pregnant, fearing that it might harm their unborn child. The good news is, exercising while pregnant is not as complicated as it may sound. With a few safety measures in mind, you and your little one can stay healthy and happy.

Firstly, it’s essential to choose safe and comfortable workouts that suit your body’s changing needs. Some of our favorite workouts to recommend to pregnant women are walking, weights, yoga, dancing, and stretching. Walking is an excellent low-impact exercise that is easy on your joints and can be done anywhere. Lifting light weights can help maintain muscle strength, while yoga and stretching can help improve flexibility and reduce stress.

It’s important to remember that if you were very active before getting pregnant, your growing belly may affect your balance and coordination, and you may need to modify your workout routine accordingly. Be sure to give yourself grace and listen to your body’s signals. If a particular exercise doesn’t feel comfortable, stop and try something else.

It’s also crucial to avoid any contact sports while pregnant, as they pose a risk of injury to both you and your unborn child. Additionally, any exercise that requires lying on your back for an extended period should be avoided after the first trimester.

Finally, we recommend working out for at least 2 ½ hours per week to stay healthy during your pregnancy. However, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program. Your doctor can provide personalized advice and help you determine the best workout plan for you and your baby.

In conclusion, exercising while pregnant is not as complicated as it might sound, but it’s essential to prioritize safety and comfort. With the right workouts and a little bit of guidance, you can stay healthy and active throughout your pregnancy. Remember to listen to your body and enjoy this beautiful journey of creating life.

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When should I announce my pregnancy to friends & family?

The first trimester is a big part of development for your little one. With this comes risk. 80% of miscarriages happen in the first trimester. But after week 12, the chance of miscarriage is only 5%.

Knowing these statistics, it makes sense why most parents wait until after the first semester to announce their pregnancy.

If you’ve had a miscarriage in the past, you might want to wait past 12 weeks to announce your pregnancy.

Everyone’s pregnancy journeys are so individual. But as a rule of thumb, waiting until at least the 12 week mark is a good idea when announcing your pregnancy to others!

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Classes to Look Into when Expecting

Classes are great to look into for many reasons. But one being you get to meet other expecting moms & share each other’s concerns (and excitements) face to face with each other!

Classes are also a great bonding experience for you & your partner! Learning skills together helps bring you closer together.

Find local classes in the area, or try some online classes!

Here are a couple classes we highly recommend trying while pregnant:

Labor & Birthing Class

  • These classes are great for first time moms. Learn your options to make a birth plan for you. Go into childbirth prepared & ease your mind of any concerns or information overload you might be feeling!

Postpartum Prep

  • So many of us are consumed by the preparation of our newest additions; We completely neglect something that is so, so important: Postpartum. Find a postpartum prep class near you & start planning for those months after birth. Prepare YOU for the 4th trimester with one of these classes

Lactation Education

  • Whether you’re planning on breastfeeding or not, your body is still going to produce milk during your pregnancy. Learn all the ins and outs of lactation in one of these classes!
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What medications can I take?

It’s always best to check with your doctor with your specific circumstances to see what is safe for you to take while pregnant. But to give you an idea, here are some general safe medications you can take while pregnant.

What medications can I take?

Tylenol

Claritin

Benadryl

Some medicines for depression

Tums

What medications can’t I take?

Pepto-Bismol

Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine (during 1st trimester)

Guaifenesin (during 1st trimester)

Advil, Motrin, Aleve

We hope this list gives you a general idea of what is safe & what isn’t, but please contact your doctor for specific medications you may be taking to learn whether those are safe during your pregnancy or not!

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5 Books to Look Into When You’re Expecting!

#1 What to Expect When You’re Expecting

You are probably familiar with the title of Amazon’s #1 selling pregnancy book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. If you’re looking for an easy, informative week-by-week read, this is the book for you! This book is full of information for first time mothers. If you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with pregnancy books & reading, just get this one.

#2 Expecting Better

If you’re looking for a data based read. The Author, Emily Oster, states many fact-driven points to help you make the right decision for YOU! This book helps you make educational choices on every major decision during pregnancy.

#3 Cribsheet

This book is another fact-driven, easy read from Oster. If you have anxiety from all the (mis) information out there, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s full of myth-busting & helps put your anxious thoughts to ease.

#4 Bumpin’

This book is a great read for first time modern moms. It states the facts without being controversial, & the author has great insights from her personal birth story. It’s a balanced mix between personal stories & educational content. This book feels more like having a conversation with a good friend rather than being talked down upon from a doctor.

#5 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver

If you’re looking for an interactive, quick read, this is it. Jill Krause gives great advice while being realistic. It’s not all strict rules, but rather an overall encouragement book for you. A reminder that what you’re doing is amazing, & you are doing a great job! This book is down-to-earth, & less clinical feeling than our other recommendations, but still has great information!

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What vitamins should I be taking?

So you just found out you’re pregnant? Prenatal vitamins get you all the nutrients for a healthy pregnancy! & it’s best to start them ASAP!

Ideally, you should be taking prenatal vitamins before you even get pregnant! We suggest if you’re trying to get pregnant, it is a good idea to start on prenatal vitamins. But if you haven’t been taking prenatal vitamins & you’re pregnant now, start as soon as possible!

Why they are important:

  • Folic Acid– helps with the prevention of defects with the neutral tube.
  • Iron– helps support development of fetus & placenta

Here is what you should look for in a prenatal vitamin:

  • Folic Acid
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin A
  • Zinc
  • Iodine

Talk to your healthcare provider, they may suggest for you to take more dosage of some of these vitamins for your specific circumstances!

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