Costometic

Being pregnant changes everything, your size, wardrobe, social life, eating habits, your relationships. Its the time when you have absolutely no control over all these overwhelming changes within and outside you. You will have the perfect family depicted in advertisements and movies but there shall be difficult times filled with a number of tough decisions too. For the first time parents it is an even tougher challenge because they are venturing into an alien territory and just learning how it is to think about someone else’s needs before their own every time. It helps to be well informed about all aspects of the birth process and have a plan in place. But before you become too fond of that plan, remember one thing, this is one venture where date, time schedules and deadlines nothing is sanctified. Your child’s due date is not its exact time of birth. It is just an approximation of when that bundle of joy will be coming home. So do plan as there is a lot to plan for even before the baby wails for the first time. Her is a list of things which would be helpful for you to plan and deal with maternity and assist you in having a healthy comfortable and happy pregnancy.

MATERNITY WEAR : Clothes are something you need to stock up on because with each passing month you shall be wearing a different size. Choose clothes that are made from durable, high quality fabric and have 1-2% spandex, which will expand with comfort for the next nine months. Buy stretch denim with side panels and buckles that are adjustable. A low waist jean is more preferable. Get flat footwears with plenty of space to accommodate your swollen feet.

EXERCISE : It prepares the body for a natural delivery, keeps it supple and flexible. A mix of exercises including yoga , physiotherapy, stretches and meditation helps the mother to be fit, relaxed and happy. It is always advisable to have a supervised workout, designed specifically keeping the pregnancy in mind. Rigorous exercising should be avoided as during pregnancy a hormone called relaxin is released which brings about relaxation in the joints and ligaments making your body susceptible to strains and sprains.

NUTRITION : A nutritious and well balanced diet is one of the most important requirements for an expecting mother. One should increase the intake of folic acid, iron and calories. An average woman does not need any extra calories for the first six months of pregnancy and only about 200 extra calories per day for the last three months. Your own appetite is the best indication of how much food you need to eat and you may find it fluctuating during the course of your pregnancy. Raw or undercooked meat (white or red) is a possible source of bacteria and should be avoided. Caffeine should also be avoided as research has linked consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine a day with an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Try to eat healthy and organic food, avoiding semi processed and canned food. Include a lot of fruits and nuts in your diet.

MEDICATION AND SHOTS : Folic acid is one supplement that is particularly important to take before you conceive and during the entire course of pregnancy. Studies have shown that lack of folic acid in the first trimester can increase the risk of spinal tube defects and lip and palate deformities in the baby. Iron and calcium supplements are recommended during the later part of your pregnancy to ensure required intake if these key minerals. Your iron levels will be checked periodically during your pregnancy and your doctor will advice you about your individual needs. Iron-fortified multivitamin supplements especially formulated for pregnancy and lactation are also available. Although most supplements are over the counter medicines, it is always advisable to check with your gynecologist first. Some of the conditions routinely checked for in most normal pregnancies are Aids, Hepatitis B, Down’s syndrome, Neural Tube Defects, RH Incompatibility and Rubella. The doctor can test for all these conditions with blood samples, taken at different times in the pregnancy. Tetanus injections (I and II) are given twice during the course of the pregnancy. The first one is usually given immediately after the pregnancy is detected and the second follow a month later.

AILMENTS : The pleasures of pregnancy are accompanied by a lot of discomforts like stretch marks, nausea, swollen feet, acidity, insomnia and bleeding gums. It is helpful to be aware of them and check with your doctor for possible cures and medication. If your doctor has not prescribed a stretch marks cream, you must request him for one. To help you with your morning sickness there are quite a few options to choose from like milk and crackers, peanuts, juice popsicles or ginger ale . Try them and pick the one that helps your cause. Bleeding and swollen gums is also experienced by expecting mothers, to avoid such discomfort, schedule a periodic dental check up with your dentist. To avoid acidity and heartburns minimise intake of extremely spicy food. A glass of cold milk also helps to neutralise the burning sensation. During pregnancy many women face sleepless nights despite suffering from numerous aches and pains and being totally exhausted. An early dinner, a warm bath and book to read in bed helps a lot.

FINANCE : Having a baby is an expensive affair. The tests, doctor visits and the hospital expenses sure will make a big dent in your annual budget. It is a sensible option to obtain an estimate of the expected expenditure and ensure that you are covered with relevant maternity benefits via health insurance or employer. To avoid inconvenience on the d-day always book your bed in advance and get all the documentation required to claim medical benefits in place.

MATERNITY LEAVE : Working mothers need to plan their maternity leave sensibly by extending the leave start date as far as possible. unless instructed otherwise by the doctor mothers can and should work almost until the due date. This provides you the required physical exercise and also gives you much more time to spend with the baby after the deliver. Before the baby comes it is good to appoint a nanny or help to take care of the baby. During the course of the maternity leave you would get an opportunity to train the nanny so that once you rejoin work your baby is in safe and capable hands.

BABY SUPPLIES : It is sensible to avoid age old superstition of shopping after birth and collect your baby trousseau in advance. During the course of pregnancy there is always chance of doctor restricting your movement or advising you bed rest and after having the baby mobility shall be restricted in the initial few days. So make a list of baby items like crib, toiletries, clothes, diapers, pram, toys, swaddling blankets and stock them in advance so that when the baby comes all its supplies are in place.