Read this article to the end because I have a surprise for you at the end!
You are pregnant, the first months are blissful or almost, you feel good or a little less good, and as time goes by, you will have more and more existential questions: what does Baby need? Am I going to be a good mother? Will I be ready for childbirth?
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These are completely normal questions that it is perfectly healthy to ask! Nevertheless, you don’t always find the right answers to these questions and it can stress you out or even panic you: my bag will never be ready on time, I don’t know how to handle a newborn, my husband isn’t helping me enough now, he will be worse after, I’m afraid of having too much pain during childbirth, etc…
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There is a miracle remedy to combat stress: preparation! If you feel ready, all these questions will come and go without giving you palpitations! In this article, I give you the 5 keys to properly prepare for Baby’s arrival and feel serene!
Baby is making space inside your belly and will soon invade the house too. Whether it’s for the baby’s wardrobe, your bathroom, or your maternity bag, there is a whole series of things you will need to buy or gather so that Baby has a real, appropriate environment. Key #1: Know and anticipate the equipment that awaits him.
You are going to create his space, his room, and it will help you to realize that he is coming! Take things step by step, first do your research to avoid getting scattered and buying anything! Since there are a lot of things to buy and you don’t necessarily have an unlimited budget, you can also anticipate gathering equipment from your family or friends. There are certainly some who will have things to lend you.
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Also think that it is possible to create a baby registry because people will be delighted to give your child beautiful things, and if they are things that are useful to you, that’s even better!
At first, focus on furniture, accessories, and clothing. He won’t need many toys at first, and you can take the time to observe his behavior to find him the right toys that match his desires as a little explorer! You will soon realize that a plastic bottle, a cardboard box, or a spoon can keep him just as entertained as the trendy rattle.
You will also need equipment for yourself, especially if you have chosen to breastfeed. You can find a maternity bag checklist that suits you, and that will already be a good starting point to know what you need to have.
When you are pregnant, you dream of the best for your little one, and that is completely understandable. However, before cluttering your home with a lot of unnecessary accessories, think about informing yourself and don’t hesitate to make lists. Lists will help you organize better and get everything you need to buy out of your mind. It’s pointless to keep this in the back of your mind all the time; it’s the drop that can overflow the vase of stress!
What can also work for you during pregnancy is, of course, childbirth and the postpartum period. I don’t think I know a single woman who says, “For sure, I’m going to nail it, I have no uncertainty, I’m not afraid of giving birth, I know babies inside out and I will know perfectly how to take care of them, no doubt.” If you really think that deeply inside, the better it is that you are confident. Most of the time, it doesn’t happen that way, but if there is one thing that is certain, it’s that despite your doubts today, you will be able to take care of your baby. You may make mistakes; we all make mistakes, but that’s how you can improve and become the mother you want to be. Key #2: Prepare for childbirth. You will know your baby best and what is good for him, don’t forget!
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Being aware of this is already a first step to relativizing the fears associated with the arrival of a baby. To really eliminate them, discover everything that is required of you: if you are afraid of not knowing how to give a bath, read books, watch tutorials, ask for advice around you. The best way to stop stress is to know how to do it!
As for childbirth, no one will be able to tell you in advance how yours will be. There are still childbirth preparation classes that are perfect for giving you as much useful information as possible. Again, if you know what to expect and you are relaxed, your delivery will be as good as possible. And if there are complications, you will know how to handle them, and it will soon just be a memory, erased by meeting your baby and everything that awaits you afterward.
To feel serene and not panic or stress at the slightest upheaval, it is very important to gain self-confidence and manage to assert yourself. Key #3: Gain confidence and create calm in your mind. I know very well that this is not easy, especially for a first child where everything is unknown and uncertain.
To relax and let your mind calm down, you can already take time for yourself, to reflect and assess your situation, your goals, and your desires.
The arrival of a child upends your life in every sense: it changes you physically, it takes up space in your home, it changes your couple’s relationship, it changes how people see you, and it changes your way of seeing things and your priorities forever. So it’s no small thing, and it’s perfectly normal not to feel comfortable with all these changes!
To bring well-being to your mind, you will need to believe in yourself, your partner, and your baby! When you feel lost, try to visualize a situation with the baby that brings you joy; it will allow you to relax and be able to better manage the events that bring you stress.
Don’t hesitate to ask your questions, your partner, your friends, your midwife, even me if you wish. The main thing is to find people you trust, whose answers will bring you serenity, and especially not additional stress.
Key #4: Stay updated on administrative procedures. Whether you like paperwork or not, now you will have to do it! There are many administrative measures to take during pregnancy, and it’s best not to miss half of them!
You will have declarations to make to register your pregnancy with entities such as the CAF, or to choose the establishment where you want to give birth. If you work, you will also need to know your maternity leave and see if you want to extend it with parental leave and under what conditions.
You are also entitled to financial aid and benefits; it is always better to know so you can take advantage of them!
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For all this, it’s ideal to have a “pregnancy” calendar where you note all the important deadlines. With reminders, you can stop thinking about all this and focus on the things you love more to enjoy better!
A little more pleasant part, easy or not, is also to find a baby name! You may have already had a loan that you agreed upon with your partner. If not, don’t panic; there are many ways to find the perfect baby name!
Key #5: Familiarize yourself with appointments and healthcare professionals. Like paperwork, you may love medical appointments… or not! Pregnancy is, however, very medicalized and monitored these days. You will have to choose pregnancy professionals, gynecologists, midwives, and become best friends with medical assistants in testing laboratories…
Since you will be dealing with them throughout your pregnancy and even a little beyond, it’s good to familiarize yourself with this whole environment. Know who does what, know why you need to attend all these appointments and tests: the more comfortable you feel, the more relaxed you will be at each appointment.
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Try to find people with whom you feel good, who explain things well, and especially whom you can trust. Without wanting to be friends with everyone, if you don’t feel comfortable with your midwife, it will affect your morale and you will lose your serenity.
You now know all the keys to peacefully prepare for Baby’s arrival and live your pregnancy without stress! All you have to do is not be too impatient!
You are soon going to be a mother, so I suggest you celebrate Mother’s Day in advance with a contest! To participate, answer this question: what stresses you the most and what makes you the happiest during your pregnancy? Also indicate the month you are in I will draw a winner on Sunday, May 28 for Mother’s Day, and I will offer the SmartPregnancy program to validate your participation! I will announce the winner!
*program that allows you to prepare for Baby’s arrival serenely: equipment, administrative tasks, childbirth preparation… You will know everything, week after week 👍
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