10 PREGNANCY TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME MUMS

Since you announced that you’re pregnant, have you lost count of the number of times people have asked how you’re feeling?

Often, you don’t actually know how you’re feeling – especially during those early days when you’re just trying to control the nausea and not freak out about what’s happening.

One of the scariest things is not having total control – of your hormones, the changes to your body, and when baby arrives.

Relax!

You’ve got roughly nine months to get your head around having a baby and becoming a mum. While some things are beyond your control, there are other bits that you can organise and prepare for in advance.

So, make a (decaff) brew, put your feet up and read our top pregnancy tips for first-time mums…

Pregnancy Tips for First Time Mums: Listen to your body

We’ve all ignored our bodies at some point in our lives – whether that’s doing an extra lap of the park while out running, staying up late even though you’re exhausted or having another chocolate when you’re already full.

When you’re pregnant, it’s vital to be kind to your body and listen to the little signals it sends you. If you feel tired, take a nap. If you’re craving a peanut butter and jam sandwich, have one. If you feel any pain or think something isn’t quite right, don’t ignore it. Contact your midwife or GP and get checked out. It’s probably nothing but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Find your support network

While there will always be people who are quick to offer their advice, it can be overwhelming when you’re bombarded with different information, especially if you get conflicting advice.

Finding a group of women, or even just one person, who’s going through the same journey at the same time, can be really useful. Not only can you compare notes and discuss your hopes and fears throughout your pregnancy, your baby will also have company while you share poo stories and compare sleeping patterns over coffee with your fellow mum friends afterwards.

Joining an NCT class or prenatal yoga session can be the perfect way to meet other mums-to-be, plus you’ll be getting active and learning some valuable skills at the same time.

Follow expert advice

You might think there is no need to include this on our pregnancy tips list however, as we mentioned, you’ll likely receive lots of advice from friends and family about what to do and what not to do.

You can also drive yourself crazy by googling everything and freaking yourself out about what you find.

The best advice to follow is that of your GP or midwife. They have years of knowledge and experience, plus, they know you and your medical history, so are best placed to offer the right guidance.

Have a plan

They say that best-laid plans often go awry, and that can be true when it comes to giving birth. Nonetheless, it’s good to write a birth plan and share it with your midwife so they know your ideal scenario for labour and delivery.

Planning is also key during pregnancy, as once baby arrives, you’ll have very little time or energy to do much at all.

Create a list of everything that needs to be done before you give birth and set some goals for when you’ll complete each task, so you don’t leave everything until the last minute.

The list could include things like:

Decorating the nursery
Buying essentials for baby (like a car seat, pram and cot)
Writing your birth plan
Doing a test run to the hospital
Batch cooking some meals
Packing your hospital bag

Pregnancy tips: Keep active

Although you may not feel like it, especially towards the end of your pregnancy when you feel like the size of an elephant, it’s recommended that you keep active with some gentle exercise. Just walking for 20 minutes each day can do wonders for you and your baby.

Not only does exercise release endorphins, which can boost your mood, experts say that active women are less likely to experience problems during their pregnancy.

If you’re not a particularly active person, it’s advised that you don’t suddenly become a fitness freak and try and make up for lost time! Walking, swimming, pilates or yoga are great exercises to do while you’re pregnant. But remember to stop and contact your doctor if you experience any pain or unusual symptoms.

Eat well

Despite what they say, you’re not actually eating for two when you’re pregnant. Your appetite may come and go, and you may go off certain foods that you loved before you got pregnant. There’s no need to worry though, as this is quite common.

Eating healthily during pregnancy can do wonders for you and your baby. Include lots of fruits, vegetables and fish in your diet to keep your energy levels up and boost your immune system, but a little of what you fancy every now and again is also key to a happy, healthy pregnancy.

It’s inevitable that you’ll gain some weight while you’re pregnant, so accept this and don’t try and diet, as this could harm your baby.

Talk about your feelings

This is a very important one in our list of pregnancy tips. Being pregnant for the first time is scary. This is a completely unknown journey you’re embarking on, so it’s common to feel a mix of emotions – excitement, terror, sadness, happiness, nervousness – there’s no right or wrong way to feel.

The important thing is to talk about how you’re feeling. You might want to talk to your midwife or maybe you prefer to confide in your partner. Whoever you choose to talk to, don’t be afraid to open up and be honest about your feelings.

Pregnancy tips for first time mums: Practice your pelvic floor exercises

You’ve probably already been told about the importance of doing your pelvic floor exercises, as these muscles can come under strain during pregnancy and childbirth. It’s recommended that you start doing pelvic floor exercises when you first find out that you’re pregnant, but it’s important to continue these exercises throughout your pregnancy, and even after you give birth.

Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to a little wee escaping when you cough or sneeze. But doing your pelvic floor exercises regularly can strengthen these muscles and help reduce incontinence.

Get some rest

You might feel extra tired, particularly during the early stages of your pregnancy. So, as recommended in point 1, listen to your body and get as much rest as you need.

We’re not going to lie, sleep can be hard to come by once baby arrives, so enjoy being able to nap when you want while you can.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

There are no silly questions when it comes to pregnancy, labour and birth. Everyone’s experience is different, so don’t assume that because it happened to your friend, it’ll happen to you too.

If you experience any unusual symptoms or feel confused about things, seek help from your midwife or GP. They’re experts and are on hand to help.

Paula Veverka is a specialist Maternity, Newborn and Baby photographer based in Blantyre, Glasgow.

Thinking about a newborn photoshoot? Discover more at www.paulaveverka.co.uk/newborn-photographer

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