5 things to do before giving birth

Are you expecting a baby? Then now is the time to prepare for this significant event and make things right.

Of course, the birth of a child is a great joy and responsibility. If this is your first pregnancy, then you may have many questions about the process of childbirth, breastfeeding, caring for a newborn, as well as many others. Do not worry, in this article I will try to help you prepare for the birth of the baby and answer your questions during this period.

Here is a list of things to do before your baby is born to help ease your first postpartum days:

Prenatal development courses

The first step on the path to motherhood should be attending prenatal development courses, where they will explain in detail what happens to the baby in the womb during a particular period of pregnancy. This will help prevent many mistakes, facilitate the course of pregnancy, and also contribute to establishing closer and more trusting contact with the child.

Childbirth courses

As a rule, such courses are conducted by certified doctors or instructors. By visiting them, you will learn everything about the stages of labor, the correct position of the child, as well as many ways to reduce pain. I recommend that you attend these courses with your birth partner or family member so that you can get expert help if the birth takes you by surprise.

Breastfeeding courses

It is unlikely that after the birth of a child, a newly-made mother will have time to attend breastfeeding courses, so if she plans to breastfeed her baby, then she needs to prepare in advance. In these courses, you will learn how to properly breastfeed your baby, how often to feed him and what to do if there is not enough milk, as well as how to use a breast pump and breast pads. If you're planning to return to work soon after your baby is born, you'll learn all about pumping and how to store your breast milk here.

Courses for parents

The main topic of these courses is the care of a newborn child, you will also learn how a baby should develop with age, what he should be able to do, how to behave and what to teach him. It also touches upon psychological questions about how to raise a child, how to build relationships with him, encourage him, and so on.

Caring for the child's health

Here are a few things you need to do before the baby is born:

Choose a doctor. The sooner you choose a pediatrician for your child, the better. At first, the child will need careful observation, since it is very important not to miss any deviations in his development, to properly take care of his health. You, as parents, need to first collect all available information about the doctor, reviews about his work, opinions of other mothers.

Child insurance policy. Although this, unfortunately, is not the most common way of caring for a child in our country, it is nevertheless very effective. By purchasing an insurance policy in advance, you can forget about financial issues for the first time after the birth of a child and focus more on his treatment.

Child safety at home

Since your child is “already on the way”, you still have a lot to think about. In addition to buying furniture and clothes for the baby, you need to create complete safety for his stay in the house. Before you bring your baby home, here's what you should do:

• buy a new and safe crib and accessories for it
• wash all baby clothes and blankets
• pillows, blankets, soft toys must be removed from the crib to prevent suffocation of the child
• close all sockets with special plugs
• keep all medicines, detergents, as well as poisons and chemicals where a child cannot get them
• clean your house thoroughly and pay special attention to dust
• remove as far as possible all small objects that the child can swallow or choke

Purchases necessary for the baby

Before the birth of a child, you will have to buy clothes, a stroller, a crib and many other things that you simply cannot do without. Here is a list of what you may need:

Things you will need in the hospital:

• diaper
• children's bodysuits (little men)
• baby socks
• blanket or plaid
• cap
• diapers

Things that the baby will need for every day:

• wet wipes
• baby hygiene products
• blankets and bedspreads of various sizes
• Baby Clothing
• baby skin care products
• diaper
• bath towels
• feeding bottles
• pacifiers (nipples)
• breast pads (for mom)
• children's scissors
• diapers

Things to do at the last minute

At the moment when you have already felt the approach of labor and you are overcome by excitement and anxiety at the same time, you should not forget about such important things as:

Help from relatives and friends. Decide which family members or friends will help you get ready for the hospital or attend the birth. If this is not your first birth, then make sure that someone stays with the children while you give birth.

Make a birth plan. This plan should include the number of people who will be present in the delivery room, methods of anesthesia (choice of anesthesia), etc.

Help after birth Telling family members or friends openly about how you would like to receive help from them after the birth of a child, this will help you to improve your life, schedule and find some time for yourself in the first time after the birth of a child.

conclusions

Most importantly, be prepared! Pack your bags for the maternity hospital as early as possible, buy all the necessary medicines and always carry an exchange card, passport and a charged mobile phone with you, as the process of childbirth is unpredictable and childbirth can overtake you anywhere and anytime.