Having a baby is a very delicate situation and it’s perfectly natural for parents to have fears and concerns. Many fears are not within your control, but here are some FAQs that may help alleviate some worries:
-
Will laying on my belly squash the baby?
In the early stage of pregnancy, your body is made to have plenty of room for baby so it is safe. But as you move on and your baby bump begins to show in the 2nd trimester, it’s best and more comfortable to lay on your back or sides. More here from The Bump: https://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/first-trimester/articles/top-pregnancy-fears.aspx
-
What foods should I stay away from that could harm my baby?
The pregnancy food no-no’s list has actually gotten ‘better’ for moms. Now, you are able to have caffeine drinks like coffee and soda in low quantities and a few other things that preggo moms were told to stay away from. Big no-no items are still certain types of fish that contain a high-level of mercury, unpasteurized, contaminated or raw foods, and of course alcohol and recreational drugs. Here is a detailed lists of foods pregnant women should steer free of: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844
-
What if my baby weight never goes away?
- Don’t beat yourself up on this moms. And try your best not to be envious of other moms that do lose it quick. It took you 9 months to put the pregnancy weight on and it will not disappear overnight. Here are some tips you can do to help shed the baby weight:
- Breastfeed: you lose lots of calories doing so and it’s great for baby. You can burn 300-500 calories/day!
- Low-impact Exercise During Pregnancy: take daily walks, swim, yoga, etc. Keep your body active, which will also make delivery easier since you're also working your perineum muscles.
- Aerobic & Group Training Classes: To start, get workout dvds and workout from home. Then when you’re ready, and need more motivation, try group training. There are more group training classes geared towards new moms that are not so intimidating. I have also seen group training instructors that will exercise small groups at a park nearby at your request.
- Focus on Core Exercises: Many new moms like to focus on core exercises because that’s where the baby weight usually stays. There are many you can do at home for only 15/min. a day. Consult with your doctor when you’re ready, but here are some core exercises you can do from home: https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/core-strengthening-exercises
- Healthy Diet: You probably won’t have time to cook lavish meals like before, but try your best to eat well-balanced, healthy meals with plenty of water. Also, eat smaller meals and don’t skip breakfast I would say 5 small meals/day with healthy snacks in between if you get too hungry. It will be easier for you to break down your food and train your body to be a calorie-burning machine.
-
When my water breaks, how much time do I have to go to the hospital?
It depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy, but always call the midwife or doctor immediately. When water breaks, it doesn’t mean baby will suffocate as he still gets his air from your umbilical cord, but the risk of infection does increase. Here is some information to read, https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1053562/when-your-waters-break, but always call the hospital so they can assess the situation.
-
How can I tell if I’m going into Pre-term Labor?
Answer: Depending on whether it’s your first pregnancy, women can be in pre-term labor for several hours. Generally, if it’s your first time, you can be experiencing pre-term labor for quite a while before you go into transitional labor. Here’s how you can tell the difference between Pre-term Labor and Braxton Hicks: https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor
-
What if the baby comes early and I don’t have the nursery ready? If baby comes early and the nursery is not ready, you won’t have enough time to go out to buy a crib and put it together. Go to the nearest baby store and get a Co-Sleeper and Baby Supplies. Here is an example of what a Co-Sleeper looks like: https://www.simplybabyfurniture.com/cribs---sleeping-cosleepers.html. And here is a list of baby essentials you can get from the store: https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/new-baby-checklist
-
My biggest fear is losing my baby:
That is every mom’s worst nightmare, especially if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while. Most miscarriages occur during the first trimester and make up 15-25% of all pregnancies. Moving forward, your risk of miscarriage decreases. Some things are beyond your control, but this is precisely the reason why pregnant moms should stay up-to-date on their prenatal visits.
