There are SO many tips and suggestions for pregnancy that it can be overwhelming at times. A simple google search will result in thousands of articles, blogs, books, and podcasts to review. Our goal here at The Nesting Place is to try and keep things simple so you can prepare for your pregnancy. In the coming weeks we’ll be sharing 10 tips at a time to help you on your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. This will include everything from getting enough sleep, to staying hydrated, writing out birth preferences, taking prenatal classes, and so much more!
Prioritize Sleep
Finding ZZzzzzs where you can. There are a few things you can do to assist with sleep patterns; maintain a consistent schedule, avoid caffeine, continue to exercise, and keep your sleeping area sound and light free as much as possible. It might be difficult to keep a perfect sleep schedule, but keeping it top of mind can help you throughout the entire pregnancy.
Take a Prenatal Class
Birth classes are so important to help you feel more informed and educated about the birth process…especially for new parents who haven’t had previous experience. It’s also a great way to connect with other parents who are embarking on their journey as well. If you have friends who said “they weren’t worth it” then don’t take THOSE classes! Find classes that are fun and engaging – hint, hint… we do that :). Click here to see all the classes we offer.
Exercise Regularly
Prenatal yoga has grown in popularity in recent years. It’s a terrific way to improve your pregnancy on a number of different levels. It’s benefits can include; better sleeping habits, improved flexibility, lower stress and anxiety, and meeting a community of pregnant people. We know many parents who have developed a love of yoga during their pregnancy and have carried it forward into their life after birth.
Write out Birth Preferences
Communicate what you’re looking for. Birth can be very unpredictable and we can do everything “right” and still end up on a path that is different than we expected. It’s about PREPARING for birth and having preferences that can act as a guide to your support team. We hear from parents all the time that even just the act of listing their preferences can help them feel more comfortable with birth.
Keep a Journal
Remembering all the big and small moments. Keeping a journal during your pregnancy is a chance to document this incredibly important time in your life. You can reflect on each stage, your emotions, the experience, everything little and big along the way. The time has a way of flying by, and your journal will be an amazing thing to look back on down the road.
Stay Hydrated – Water, Water, and more Water
It’s always important to stay hydrated, but it’s EXTRA important when you’re pregnant. When you’re pregnant you need more water than the average person. This is because your body has a lot of additional requirements to grow your baby. The general rule of thumb is to aim for 8-12 glasses of water each day. Be mindful of keeping a bottle of water with you throughout the day.
Build a Support Team
A helpful way to think about your birth journey is that it “takes a village”! It’s an opportunity to put together a team of friends, family, professionals…etc that can be your support network through different stages of a pregnancy, birth, and in early postpartum. Some roles to consider are; birth doula, childbirth educator, physician, prenatal yoga instructor, midwife, and lactation consultant. Tip: some of these services may be covered by your extended health plan! Be sure to call and ask! You can view all our services at The Nesting Place here.
Delegate Work and Chores
Lean on your friends, family and colleagues. There is the old African proverb that “it takes a village” and it couldn’t be more true. During your pregnancy you’ll need to lean on those around you and come to terms with having different abilities and energy levels than you are used to. This might mean delegating tasks and chores to others when needed. Make a list of chores that you can you transition to other people in your life. And don’t be afraid to add more items to this list as pregnancy progresses.
Your Sex Drive May Change During Pregnancy
Each individual’s experience is different, but some report a heightened sex drive during portions of the pregnancy. You may find yourself aroused more easily, your breasts and clitoris to be more sensitive than usual, and you may notice increased vaginal lubrication. Also note that our partner’s desires may also change and it has nothing to do with their love or attraction to us. Be kind to yourself and each other and make space for intimacy if that’s what you both desire.
Get Some Real World Experience
For many parents, the first baby they hold is their own. We always recommend spending time with babies in your life to help build confidence. This could be as simple as baby-sitting for a friend.
Make sure to check back next week when we’ll be sharing 10 more tips for your pregnancy.
The Nesting Place Team