How to prepare for pregnancy?

dashdotdott · 2019-08-29T22:44:15+00:00

Health wise: start taking prenatals ASAP. The longer you have elevated folate levels the better. Some drs say to do so at least a year in advance. Granted, I'm the mom that forgets to take them about 2/3rds of the way through the first trimester - all my kids are fine. A year prior was not happening (none of mine were planned exactly anyways).

Don't read horror stories. Hard to avoid but while there are an infinate number of things that could go wrong, most people have a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy and labor/delivery.

Enjoy the childless time. With luck it will be short. And enjoy the fact that you can have completely unprotected sex (you don't even have to take hormonal birth control).

HB3234 · 2019-08-29T22:43:31+00:00

I am not a mother but one thing I'd like to suggest, based in watching my friends struggle here, is to try to avoid perfectionist thinking and making comparisons to others. You're going to make some mistakes and it will not be the end of the world. No one can do everything textbook perfect so don't run yourself ragged trying. Everyone's pregnancy is different. For some, running a marathon is feasible. For some, going up the stairs isn't. Try your best to be at peace with whichever reality your pregnancy hands you.

Make a policy of minimizing contact with people who try to shame you about pregnancy or parenting. They rarely learn. Even if you feed your kids nothing but organic, I guarantee some loon comes out of the woods to decree all women who don't grow their own corn are poisoning their children. Sometimes you have to do imperfect things and it's perfectly okay.

artemis286 · 2019-08-30T00:04:26+00:00

I just had my first little baby, and it's amazing! It was a hard pregnancy and delivery, but I hold her and couldn't be happier.

Start taking a prenatal, fish oil, and vitamin D now. Even adding a calcium magnesium supplement too would be great. Fish oil helps with brain development, and my midwives recommend magnesium and vitamin D to shorten labors. Magnesium also helps prevent muscle cramps and constipation.

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. I was healthy, young, and my mother had fairly easy pregnancies. I was still throwing up at 17 weeks, and got SPD at 20 so bad I needed physical therapy and couldn't go up and down the stairs, and was working out the week before. It happens, even to healthy, fit mamas. So just be aware and have a plan if things go awry, especially if you're working or in school.

I did traverse Ab, leg, and glute exercises my whole pregnancy under the care of a physical therapist. At 3 weeks postpartum my pelvic PT said I was one of the best patients she's ever seen, despite the fact that I had a difficult devliery and tear. And it's because I took care of myself during pregnancy, those muscles just woke right back up.

Start educating yourself now for the kind of birth you want. I did all natural at a birth center, but I'm also a nurse, doula, and have worked at a birth center myself. So I had lots of exposure to birth, and going unmedicated was important to me, as long as me and baby were doing okay. It was an amazing experience!

If you want to breastfeed, start learning now too. I'm a lactation consultant, so I had actually taught other women to breastfeed before I ever did. But then, of course, my own baby has lots of trouble! But even so, because of my education and experiences, she's only had breastmilk her whole life, even though we've had to do pumping and bottles. It you want to do formula, I would highly recommend checking out the European brands, particularly the goats milk based ones. They have tighter standards than American formulas, and dont use corn syrup and such. It's the formula I would buy if I needed to.

Give yourself grace, especially in that first trimester. Things will probably fall to the wayside, and that's okay. I couldn't cook most of my pregnancy because my sense of smell was way too strong, I would gag and vomit. Sometimes it happens that way. Meal prep now, I wish I had! Have easy and mild meals you can prepare. Smoothies were my best friend, I added in hemp and chia seeds, yogurt, kefir, and a greens powder and juiced greens to up the nutrition since it was one of the few things I could eat. Lots of protien is very important, it helps to make the amniotic sack strong, and you want that intact as long as possible, it's a lovely cushion!

I've had amazing experiences with midwifery care inside and outside hospitals. I highly recommend all of La Leche Leagues books! And overall, follow your gut, and if your provider is dismissing your concerns or making you uncomfortable, find a new one. You get to make your own choices a out your care. If something feels wrong, get a second opinion. I was seeing a prenatal chiropractor who tried to tell me I didn't need PT, and after four weeks of PT I was riding a bike when before I couldn't get pants on without crying. I'm so glad I listened to my gut!

Happy to answer any specific questions, I've got a six week old so it's still all very fresh haha!

Kara__El · 2019-08-29T22:46:26+00:00

Librarian here! I've extensively researched pregnancy guides and the one I most recommend is The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy.

Zegiknie · 2019-08-29T23:04:20+00:00

Diet exercise - there is some evidence you can influence the sex of the baby through your diet (more calcium and magnesium for a girl, I forgot the boy version) and we did both times and now have one of each. Could be coincidence though. Otherwise just eat health and take some extra folic acid. I went a little nuts and avoided all caffeine and raw tasties you shouldn't take during pregnancy right away just in case, too.

Doctors they can see from weeks 6-8 with an ultrasound, a kind of dildoish thing they roll over your belly or shove up your vagina, depending on how fat and far along you are. Nothing there at week 6 could be a false negative, but by week 8 they need to be able to see. Heartbeat goes superduperfast, like a blinking on screen. All you'll he able to make out is snow, but they can read the magic off the screen somehow. They'll treat you like an idiot and explain you shouldn't eat junk. They are used to women calling over every little worry. You'll get lots of paperwork and probably free samples of diapers. They will question you about drugs and whatnot. They tend to have tissueboxes because pregnant women cry over everything.

Purchases - hold off. When pregnant, suddenly your social circle expands and everybody just gives you stuff. Don't buy toys, you'll have too many. Most must-haves never get used, babies like boobs and screaming most. What helps baby 1 sleep doesn't work for baby 2, so don't trust advice on items unless at least 90% of moms you speak agree. Get at least one carrier type thing (check with the other moms if I'm right) and at least 6 onesies. Don't buy shoes! Some women get no stroller, just a carrier, but if you do get one, make sure you don't need tk bend low to push the handle.

Houseprep - just make sure it's self-cleaning/easy to do, babyproof as you go, you'll notice when things are within reach (and tell baby "no", they understand more than you think - mine is 1 now and shows people the electric outlets and goes "nono!" to make sure everyone knows they're dangerous Lol).

Books - Hold on to your Kids (not baby specific). Nowadays I'd say it's mostly better to read articles online to compare ideas. I'm for cosleeping and babywearing and breastfeeding and vaccinating, others disagree.

Classes - science says they don't make for easier birth, but they do make for more confident mum. See for yourself if it is worth your time and money. I liked pregnancy swimming, less risk of a kick in the belly than normal pool time (and hard to do once kids are there, so enjoy while you don't have to save anyone from drowning yet).

Best advice - if you nurse, get 100% pure lanolin nipple cream, use sage tea to stop hyperlactation and oats to increase milk. GET PRACTICAL HELP POST-PARTUM. Cook freezermeals in your last trimester. Listen to your cravings, but don't eat for two.

Bonus tip - don't use lube, it can kill or block swimmers.

Theendisnearornot · 2019-08-30T01:02:48+00:00

I love Ina May Gaskin & the movie the business of being born. Stay active, eat well ( easier said than done if there’s morning sickness)! I love Shiva Rey’s prenatal yoga. Prenatal massages as often as you can spare the money & time (I’m a massage therapist..I’m biased (; ). I also recently have gotten very interested in core health & pelvic floor health. There are some excellent resources and my 2 favorites are Fit2B and the tummy team!

Edit - find a healthcare provider (midwife or ob) you really trust. Listen to your gut - if something seems off, listen! I wish I had with my first son and I was treated like a child and so was my husband. I knew I didn’t really like her, but I felt bad for changing doctors so I didn’t switch. I really wish I had!

ShootingDanks · 2019-08-30T21:57:55+00:00

We're only going to start trying next year (January-ish), but I'm already preparing.

My diet is extreme, so you can just completely ignore me on that one. I switched from keto to zerocarb/carnivore last year and I intend to stick with it as much as possible. I love it, but it's not for everyone. I might dabble with keto once I'm pregnant, I'll see how I feel.

Exercise is getting the most attention, though. I spoke to my nail technician about pregnancy and labour today while getting my nails done. She's had two kids. She said that having strong abdominal muscles will help me so much. If you've got strong abs, your baby will be held high up, in a tight bundle. Weak abs will allow the belly to sag and hang low and cause more stretch marks.

I found that so interesting. I started pilates today and will be going three times a week. Strengthening your core muscles, including the muscles supporting the spine, will make for a far more comfortable pregnancy and delivery, or so I'm told.

My friend recommended this book to me, as well: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0062326031

Good luck!

[deleted] · 2019-08-30T04:30:32+00:00

Swimming is wonderful low impact exercise and really helps take the pressure off your pelvis when you get big. Try and take a vacation getaway before the baby is here to have some one on one bonding time with your husband. Discuss your parenting styles in advance and try and come up with ways to divide chores so there is a plan in place ahead of time. Sleep every chance you have. Find extra tall baby gates, they will be useful longer as your toddler gets taller.

FRedington · 2019-08-30T22:13:30+00:00

Stop:
smoking; vaping; drinking; drugs.
Do this for 1 year.
Then start sex with intent to reproduce.

organicsunshine · 2019-08-30T01:30:00+00:00

My advice is dont put the cart before the horse. It can take time to get pregnant. Make yourselves (yes both of you) as healthy as possible. Eat clean, take supplements, and live well. Take it one day at a time and do not buy baby stuff or go crazy until into the 2nd trimester. Join a due date club via online forums or groups. They are so awesome for first pregnancies.

Bob29400 · 2019-09-03T22:41:23+00:00

Eat lots of animal fat and organs such as liver, they have all the nutrients you need for a healthy baby

Rispy_Girl · 2019-09-05T08:45:03+00:00

Consider your animals now. For example I have cats and they can carry a disease that can cause problems in pregnancy. When pregnant I need to clean the boxes daily, so the bacteria didn't have time to incubate. Additionally I've considered what to do if u give birth to a child who is allergic to cats. My solution is that we will have plans for a outdoor cattery and build that if necessary and the cats will be moved out there.

Make sure you like your ob now, so you don't have to switch to an unknown doctor part way through. I'm case it comes to it have a backup. As soon as you know you're pregnant make an appointment. If there are complications there is a chance the doctor will be able to save the pregnancy.

Last but not least from me is read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Start charting and keeping track of your body as you work on getting pregnant. Best of luck!

Snowman2222789 · 2019-08-29T23:42:29+00:00

Why have a child of you can't adopt one instead? What's so special about your genes?

Title	How to prepare for pregnancy?
Author	hopelessbabygirl
Upvotes	28
Comments	23
Date	August 29, 2019 10:26 PM UTC (6 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RedPillWomen
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RedPillWomen/comments/cx7zu9/how_to_prepare_for_pregnancy/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RedPillWomen/how-to-prepare-for-pregnancy.251403 https://theredarchive.com/post/251403

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