How to Prepare for Being a Mother Again

May 5, 2019 by 2 Comments

If you already have kids, and you have taken a break to build your career, or to focus on creating the right family environment, chances are that you might be worried about whether or not you can go through the process again.  Finding out that you will be a mother and thinking about how to prepare for being a mother again can be challenging.  But, also very exciting. You can rely on the support of your kids and family, and you will be able to grow. First, however, you will need to get rid of the frustration to make the most out of these few special months. Find out more below.

 

 

Pregnancy Tips

 

Check You Are Physically Ready

One of the things you will have to do when you find yourself pregnant again after not thinking about having more kids is to prepare your body for the challenge. There are loads of physical changes you will go through.  And, you will need to ensure that you are ready. Get a general health checkup.  Additionally, find out whether or not you will need to take supplements.  Furthermore, talk to your practitioner about the risks and how to avoid them.  Especially, if you are over 40.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

The next thing you have to do is make sure that you have the right mindset to start raising kids again.  First, you might be tired, or exhausted, or simply tied up with the school and organizing family life. It is crucial that you ask for help from your family members if you need it.  And, make sure that you are able to focus on preparing yourself for the pregnancy and welcoming a new family member. You may have to dig deep, and this might be the right time to take some time off to focus on your spiritual well being.

Get Your Family on Board

If you have other kids, who are older, or school aged, you will definitely face some kind of jealousy.  So, you may have to sit down with your kids and partner to discuss the changes the arrival of the new baby will bring forward.  Get them on board, so you will be able to rely on their help and moral support. If your kids are smaller, you will have to explain to them that having a new sibling will be exciting, but there will certainly be challenges.

 

 

pregnancy tips

 

Find the Right Doctor

It will be a good idea to find a doctor you can trust.  Figuring out how to prepare for being a new mother can be unsettling at times.  It might have been a couple of years since you had your last baby.  If so, this means that you will have to find out about the latest trends and screenings.  So, ensure that you are in good hands and have a great birth without any complications.

Take Advantage of Technology

There are some great devices that will take the anxiety out of your pregnancy. You should take advantage of the devices and health monitoring apps available. If you don’t want to worry about your baby’s health or your own, you might want to check out some of the latest technological inventions introduced in maternity care. For example, Bloom Life Can Time Braxton Hicks Contractions.  So, check it out so you will know when to grab your bags and head to the hospital.

Prepare the Family for the New Lifestyle

It is also a good idea to determine if  family members are ready for the change in their lifestyle.  Also, you can you meet their emotional and physical needs. It might be the case that your kids will have to take the school bus instead of getting a ride from you.  No matter what type of changes you  introduce, always sit down and discuss it with the kids and your partner.

Embrace the Moment

Motherhood is one of the best experiences in the world.  So, it is important that you prepare for being a mother and enjoy it. Take a step back from your business, outsource some of the processes if you can, and make the most out of your time alone. Become less busy, so you can ensure you are providing the best care for your family.

Most importantly, you will have to make sure that you are comfortable with the changes.  Also, make sure your family is ready for the challenges and new lifestyle. Choose the right doctor and plan carefully.  Make sure you look after number one, as your new baby is relying on you.

 

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: , ,

5 Common Pregnancy Complications

October 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

pregnancy complications

 

Complications in pregnancy are quite common regardless of age or the stage of the pregnancy.  Some women have healthy and easy pregnancies while others have difficulties from the first trimester.

Here’s five of the most common complications.

  • High Blood Pressure

Also called hypertension.  This condition is common in most women who had issues with their blood pressure before pregnancy.  Narrow arteries increase your blood pressure increases. This can reduce the amount of blood and nutrients reaching the fetus.  If not treated, hypertension can lead to pre-term labor.

If high blood pressure only occurs during the second trimester, it is called gestational hypertension.  Usually, it will go away after childbirth.  Medication can control high blood pressure.  Monitor your high blood pressure regularly.  Relaxing more reduces stress, which makes your blood pressure spike.

  • Gestational Diabetes

Food is turned into glucose.  The pancreas releases a hormone, insulin, to help this process happen.  Hormonal changes could make the insulin either not enough or it is not well utilized by the body.  This could lead to glucose flooding the blood. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by following a specific meal plan.  It should go away after delivery.

  • Low amniotic fluid 

The fluid that protects your baby during your pregnancy should be enough to absorb any shock, and keep them safe for the nine months.  Oligohydramnios develops if their is not enough fluid.  This complication can occur if the mom to be is a GST Lawyer, stay at home mom or a secretary.  However, the solution to Oligohydramnios is to monitor things closely to ensure the baby continues to grow normally.  If the situation is dire and the mother is close to her due date, then labor can be induced.

  • Ectopic pregnancy

A fertilized egg should transplant inside the uterus, not attach on the wall or the fallopian tube.  Transplants outside the uterus are ectopic.  There is no way to transplant the egg inside the uterus after this happens.  So, the only solution is usually to end the pregnancy.  If left to develop, the growing embryo could rupture the fallopian tube and cause internal bleeding which could be fatal.

Miscarriage

This is certainly the most difficult complication as the mother-to-be loses a baby in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.  A majority of miscarriages happen before the 12th week.  Chromosomal abnormalities cause miscarriages.  These abnormalities prevent the baby from developing.  The first signs of a miscarriage are vaginal spotting or bleeding.  If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

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Key Ways To Help Boost Your Iron In Pregnancy

May 28, 2018 by 2 Comments

 

boost your iron in pregnancy

 

 

You just found out you’re pregnant.  You’re very excited to become a mother.  You can’t wait to spend time with your little bundle of joy, and take care of him or her throughout the years.  But aside from the excitement that you’re feeling, you’re also worried because there’s now a lot of responsibilities in your hands. Your child’s life depends on everything that you do.  So, you want to be careful and nurture your child in the best way possible.

Furthermore, you want to start off ensuring that your child will grow up healthy.  Iron plays a big role in your child’s development.  As a matter of fact, your body might not be able to provide the minerals and nutrients your unborn child needs without it.  However, there are ways to boost your iron in pregnancy.

Why You Need Iron During Pregnancy

Being a mother is a fulfilling yet challenging role.  It’s imperative that you give everything that your unborn child needs.  Iron is important in your pregnancy because:

 

  • It’s a requirement for making hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells.  Remember, you’re carrying another person in your body – the more hemoglobin, the better.
  • It’s also an essential component of myoglobin (the protein responsible for supplying oxygen to your muscles), collagen (the protein found in your bones and other connective tissues), and many other enzymes.
  • It helps maintain a healthy and strong immune system throughout the pregnancy.

 

How To Boost Iron During Pregnancy

Also, iron supplies several proteins in your body, which your child needs. To help boost your iron in pregnancy, take note of the tips below:

 

iron boost in pregnancy

 

  • Take an iron supplement during your pregnancy:  There are several iron supplements available in the market.  But, before deciding make sure you ask for your doctor’s approval.  If they have a recommendation on a particular iron supplement for you, follow it. Also, inquire how many times in a day you should use it.  Ask if there are dos and don’ts while you’re taking these supplements. Remember, your iron intake should help you during your pregnancy, not complicate it.
  • Eat your spinach:   Another way to boost your iron in pregnancy is to eat your spinach.  Spinach can be bought anywhere and is a very good source of iron. Raw spinach is great in salads. You can eat your spinach with sliced strawberries, grilled meat, pasta, and cheese!
  • Keep your caffeine intake down: All of your efforts to eat iron-enriched foods and supplements will be useless if you’re consuming too much caffeine. Caffeine actually dashes the effects of iron in your body. This means that if you drink cola after eating an iron-rich steak, your body will absorb less iron.
  • Add more vitamin C: Vitamin C is known to improve iron absorption in your body. So whenever you’re taking your iron supplements, finish it with a glass of orange juice. You can also add fresh strawberries to your oat bran cereal or add a side of pepper with a shrimp dish to get your daily dose of Vitamin C!

 

Preparation Is Key

When you’re an expecting parent, you want everything to be perfect. In addition to providing for your baby in the womb, you should also be preparing financially.  A pregnancy cover from your insurance policy can help.  Knowing that you have everything covered will help you have a stress-free and easy childbirth.

 

Jessica Wilson   iron boost in pregnacy

Jessica is a professional health expert who works for some major health industry giants. She currently writes for Membersown and is dedicated to helping people learn more about health related topics along the journey. When she’s not a health advocate, she enjoys some down time traveling or talking with family

Filed Under: Empowerment, Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: , ,

Getting Your Mojo Back: After Birth Tips

February 27, 2018 by

 

pregnancy tips

 

Becoming a mother is the one of the greatest privilege in life.  Being a mother is not an easy task, but it will be one which you love with every fiber of your being.  Furthermore, preparing for and giving birth to a baby can be exhausting.  In the weeks following birth it can be difficult to feel up to anything; however, you must transition in the routine of after a new life.  You can get your mojo back, and be a happy, healthy and fit mom in no time at all.  Check out our after birth tips:

  1. Act like a mom

It might seem pretty obvious that once you become a mom you will act like a mom.  But, it can actually take time to adjust to your new role.  It can be stressful to adapt to this new environment at times.  However, the moment you start acting as if you know what you are doing, you will feel much more confident in your role as a mother.  Exuding confidence will make your baby feel safe too.

  1. Ignore bad advice

For the first few weeks of having a baby everyone will have advice.  They will want to give their two cents on how to look after your baby. The key is to not listen to any advice which doesn’t correlate with how you want to nurture your baby.  If your parents or friends start to tell you what your baby needs listen, but follow your own instincts.  You are the baby’s mother, and you know what’s best for your baby.

  1. You are not a bad mother

One of the biggest insecurities after giving birth is the feeling of not being good enough for your baby. This can be a condition which runs alongside post natal depression.  It is crucial for you to remember that you are new to this, and every new mother has experienced this at one point in their lives.  Most importantly, it is normal to feel this way.  When you feel these insecurities bubbling to the surface, remember to put things into perspective.  Most of the time your guilty feelings are totally unfounded.  You are not a bad mother if you baby cries a lot.  Some babies do!  Consult your pediatrician for any concerns that you really don’t know about.  They will be happy to provide any guidance, recommendations or insight needed.

  1. Find privacy

In the first months of your child’s life, you will likely be inundated with visits and people visiting.  Sometimes your baby will become irritated and they will start to cry while other people are around. This is purely because being in a stimulating environment for too long can be too much for them to handle.  As a result, if your baby becomes stressed and difficult to control, take your baby and leave the room.  Let your visitors know that you will return once you have the baby calmed down.

  1. Be decisive

Our after birth tips includes becoming decisive as a new mother.  Mom always knows what to do in any situation.  They always know if you have a cold or the flu, they seem to be mind readers. You might wonder how you will ever get to this stage with your own child.  You have to trust your own instincts. If you have a gut feeling that your child is ill, you are probably right.  Trust your instincts, because 99% of the time you are absolutely right. Be decisive and be confident in your abilities with your baby. Remember that you are the most qualified person in the room because you are the baby’s mother.

  1. Listen and learn

When you take trips to your doctor, make sure you listen to what they are saying.  Take notes if you need to, so you will remember everything that was discussed.  You can reference your notes in the future when the same ailment affects your child.  The more information you can take in, the better it will be for you and your baby.

  1. Don’t bottle up your feelings

Motherhood can be overwhelming.  Some days you will want nothing more than to walk out of the door and leave for a vacation.  It is perfectly normal to feel this way. You are not a bad person for getting stressed out with your child. Just make sure you don’t bottle up these feelings.  It can lead to anxiety, depression and physical ailments too. If you are having a hard time, confide in your partner and take a break.

  1. Don’t worry about competition

Every child is unique.  When they say their first word or take their first step will be different for every baby.  So, just because your friend’s child walked at 1, doesn’t mean that you are failing.  Be patient, their day will come.

  1. Take time for yourself

Finally, our after birth tips include personal image.  Many women struggle their personal image after giving birth.  Dealing with pregnancy stretch marks within 2 weeks of giving birth is not realistic for most mothers.  Take your time getting back to your old self.  Most importantly, take time for yourself.   Get someone to look after the baby or when they baby is napping, pamper yourself.  Do a few exercises or relax. You will be back to your old confident self in no time.

 

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Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth

January 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

In case you’re considering getting pregnant or you are pregnant –  you probably know some essentials about dealing with yourself and the child.  Giving birth can be a physical challenge.  Preparing for childbirth causes us to face our inhibitions.  Moving through the birthing process causes us to feel excitement, fear, anxiety, and finally a feeling of ecstasy as we give birth to our child.  Here are a few more parenting tips for a healthy pregnancy:

 

 

tips for a healthy pregnancy

 

 

  • Eat healthy  

Plan to eat a solid, balanced diet during your pregnancy.  Pick wholegrains as opposed to white sugar to ensure a sufficient amount of fiber.  Daily portions of protein is important too.  For example, fish, meat, eggs, nuts and some milk and dairy are important for a balanced diet.

  • Fluids

Be sure to drink water and other nutritious drinks.  Great sources of nutritious drinks include low sodium V8 juice, fresh squeezed orange juice or nonfat milk.

  • Exercise

Staying fit is an absolute necessity for most mothers to be.  So, one of our tips for a healthy pregnancy is exercise. Standard activity will offer you some assistance with controlling your weight.  Exercise also helps clear your head and help you sleep better. Furthermore, keeping your diet in check and doing these simple exercises at home will help with delivery.  Pilates, yoga, swimming, and walking are good exercises for most pregnant women.  However, check with your doctor before beginning any physical activity program.

Special prenatal exercises like squatting and Kegels help with childbirth and can possibly shorten the labor time. Yoga and a massage are great ways to relax and help ease contractions during labor.

  • No smoking, alcohol or caffeine

If you smoke, now is a great time for you to quit.  Also, do not allow yourself to be exposed to second hand smoke. Additionally, eliminating alcohol is advised as well.  An occasional glass of wine may be allowed.  Consult your doctor before consuming any alcoholic beverages or caffeine.  Both could possibly affect the birth weight, development hindrance and premature delivery.

  • Stay at home for as long as possible

Staying at home allows you to move freely and comfortably until your contractions are strong and coming every 3-5 minutes apart.

  • Think positive and Stay focused

Just thinking of your new baby will help give strength to bear the labor pains and the process of childbirth.

This tool is used for relieving labor pain and can be used through childbirth to reduce pain awareness by stimulating the production of endorphins.  Consult your doctor before using this machine.

  • Hydrotherapy

If you are considering an epidural for pain relief, you may try a birth pool instead. Soaking yourself in warm water increases oxytocin production, encouraging dilation.  Consult your doctor for options.

We hope that you enjoyed our tips for a healthy pregnancy.  Again, consult your physician before starting any exercise routines, concerns about your diet or labor desires.

 

 

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