If you’ve never considered having a child before, you may not be aware of everything that goes on when you’re pregnant. Some individuals or couples find that when they fall pregnant, they’re woefully unprepared for the decisions they need to make. Some people aren’t ready for pregnancy and the new life it brings. Those people need to decide if abortion or adoption fits them best. Others choose the “day after” or abortion pill, only to regret that decision. Abortion pill reversal is the answer in that case. When you decide to stay the course of the pregnancy, there are several things you need to know.

Prenatal Care

You can’t walk into the emergency room at nine months pregnant only to announce you’re in labor and expect everything to be okay. Preparation is key when you’re pregnant. Prenatal visits with your obstetrician/gynecologist, doula or midwife are very important. Your medical team will check on both your health and the health of your baby as your baby grows in utero. Some tests will be necessary to prevent complications, like the Rh factor test and a test for certain bacterium that could cause your baby to get an infection.

It’s also important that you be checked for things like prenatal diabetes, high blood pressure and too much protein in your blood stream. Your baby will need to be checked, too. Doctors screen for evidence of birth defects, proper fetal growth and whether your baby is getting enough oxygen. You’ll be measured and weighed to check on your baby’s growth. At about 20 weeks, your baby will begin to move around. Shortly after, you’ll want to start noticing your baby kicking. Your medical team will want you to tell them if your baby kicks less than ten times in a two-hour period or if you notice a decrease in your baby’s movement.

Bring Home Baby

When you’ve chosen to add a baby to your family, be prepared to need a lot of stuff. Beyond diapers and wipes, your new infant will need a variety of specialized equipment. You can’t take your new family member home from the hospital without an appropriate car seat. If you’re not sure how to mount it, contact your local police or fire department and they’ll help you get it installed correctly. You’ll need a safe place for your baby to sleep, a swing or bouncy chair where your little one can rest and stimulating toys to encourage both motor skills and brain development.

Babies eat often. For a mom who’s breastfeeding, this can be draining. One key is to get your baby on a schedule. It may seem cruel or counterproductive to wake your baby to feed him or her, but you’ll want to stick to your schedule as closely as possible – even if that means waking the baby up to breastfeed. Bottle-fed babies benefit from a schedule, too. Eventually, you’ll introduce easy-to-digest cereals and then move on to try various baby foods.

Pregnancy and birth each bring changes and challenges. The end result is worth them all.

What are your favorite suggestions for handling the challenges of pregnancy and birth?

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