Post-pregnancy
Best Postpartum Underwear 2023
Best Postpartum Underwear 2021 Below is a list of our favourite postpartum underwears that can help relief the pain. Kindred Bravely High
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What should you do after a Positive Pregnancy Test?
Congratulations you noticed the early signs of pregnancy, you tested positive to a pregnancy test and are pregnant!!
Now that you are pregnant and have almost 9 months ahead of you to look forward to, here are a few guidelines to get you started for the next phase of your life
Schedule a prenatal appointment
Pregnancy tests are highly reliable and if you are worried that there maybe a slight chance of a false positive you may repeat the test after a couple of days to be doubly sure of the result. To remove absolutely any doubt speak to your healthcare provider and schedule an appointment with them. A typical prenatal visit is scheduled when you are 8 weeks pregnant – so this is the best time to block their calendar. Pelvic exams and other sensitive tests that determine any pregnancy complications will be administered by the doctor. Check out our detailed article on all the pregnancy screenings and scans through the trimesters.
Do not forget to tell them any medication you are on so they can advise you about what is ok to be consumed for pregnant women.
Prepare yourself for the first appointment
While waiting for the 8 week mark it is best to keep a track of a few things – first day of your last period in order to determine the due date of the baby. At this time your mind is swamped with a million questions – write them down. Speak to relatives on both sides to know about their medical histories, chronic conditions or any genetic disorders. This information should be known and disclosed to your healthcare provider.
Get educated about the pregnancy
Every week is a new development for the baby and your body. Sign up for weekly newsletters that give you weekly updates and answer pregnancy-related questions. Real-life comparisons like how your baby has grown from a blueberry to avocado will give you a true picture of the human growing inside. You can get an abundance of information on pregnancy apps right from tracking your due date, to pregnancy FAQs to postpartum information that will comfort you and help you make decisions.
Sit back and read pregnancy-related books, they are a great source of knowledge and real-life experiences.
The first trimester will be full of mixed emotions and you will find yourself processing lots of information and making lots of decisions. Don’t stress yourself – instead plan for the coming months so you are equipped with the best information.
Prenatal Vitamins
If you aren’t already consuming prenatal vitamins, it is time to start right away. It is advised to switch to a prenatal vitamin rather than a standard multivitamin as those contain more iron and folic acid. In an ideal situation, you should have already started consuming folic acid one month prior to getting pregnant, if not start already. Calcium and other vitamins are important for the growth and development of the baby and the overall wellbeing of the mommy-to-be. Folic acid prevents the risk of neural tube birth defects in your baby so it is a must to include around 600 micrograms daily.
Do not take excessive vitamins and make sure to consult your doctor about the vitamins that are ideal for you.
Quit smoking and drinking
Smoking is extremely harmful for you and especially for the baby. If you haven’t already quit, now is the time to. If you are unable to do so seek professional help but this bad habit needs to be put an end to. Placental problems, miscarriage, and preterm birth are only a few side effects of smoking. It slows down fetal growth and can lead to stillbirth or infancy death. If you are not a smoker, please stay away from those who do – second-hand smoke is equally harmful.
Say no to alcohol. If you drink chances are the level of alcohol content in your baby’s blood will be extremely high – this is due to the fact that alcohol reaches the placenta quickly via your bloodstream. Again, if giving up alcohol seems difficult consult your caregiver.
The first trimester will be full of mixed emotions – right from letting the fact that you are actually pregnant sink in, to figuring out what to eat, calculating the baby’s due date to deciding who to tell when – you will find yourself processing lots of information and making lots of decisions. Don’t stress yourself – instead start focusing on yourself and the baby to come. Plan for the coming 9 months so you are best equipped to deal with most situations.
Meditate, rest-up, eat healthy, exercise, and most importantly, ask all the questions you have!! Your medical practitioners will be more than happy to answer them and ensure you have a smooth and relaxed pregnancy.
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Pregnancy Essentials
Best Maternity Belts 2023
Maternity belts are not the same as belly bands and extenders which are more to help you wear what you want for a while. Maternity belts on the other hand are more to provide relief and provide uterus support and help keep the baby off the pelvis.
Baby Essentials
Best Baby Swaddles 2023
A practice that has been followed over generation is Swaddling. This involves wrapping your baby in a blanket to keep them secure. The infant’s arms and legs are ticked in tightly and the blanket envelopes them neck down. When you swaddle your baby, you are essentially giving the position of the womb to your infant.
Swaddling prevents the baby from getting startled from sounds or even no reason at all. This reflex last for about 3-6 months but can tend to prevent the baby from sleeping. Swaddling enables the baby to sleep soundly and sleep longer, giving you some extra time as well.
