So, you have a bun in the oven? Congratulations!
Doing a pregnancy test and finding out that you’re expecting can unleash a flurry of emotions. The truth is, not all of them involve jumping for joy. It’s perfectly normal to be both excited and jittery as you count down to baby’s arrival. I recently met a friend who told me how overjoyed she was when she discovered she was expecting but confessed that she always had to pretend she was enjoying her pregnancy journey when she didn’t - so people wouldn’t think there was something wrong with her. In case you're wondering, the pregnancy was an easy one and she's now a proud and happy mum to an 18-month-old boy.
Whether you love or secretly dislike your pregnancy journey, being prepared for what's to come helps
Get this straight: pregnancy is different for every woman and you don’t have to pretend to love it. However, you should address any discomfort or concerns about the changes you're going through by speaking to a doctor or loved one. Being prepared for what’s to come could help take off any stress you’re experiencing.
Sure, pregnancy can be a wonderful time. There’ll be fun parts like shopping for adorable baby clothes, measuring your baby bump every month, hearing baby’s heartbeat and feeling them move inside you for the first time, and choosing baby names. It can also be overwhelming as you navigate challenges and unpredictable surprises such as fluctuating hormones, morning sickness that can last all day, sore breasts as well as concerns about baby’s health and miscarriage. You’ll suddenly have to attend many medical appointments and undergo various tests to ensure both you and your little one are doing well. You may even find yourself not knowing where to start when it comes to choosing a maternity insurance plan or choosing a hospital that’s right for you.
Your all-in-one pregnancy guide
Whether you’re having your first child or you’ve been through this before, it’s always better to be ready for what’s to come during your 40-week pregnancy journey right up to childbirth. To help, here’s a handy pregnancy checklist that tells you what to expect and do before baby arrives – it covers everything from the physical changes you’ll notice about your body to how much weight you’ll gain, how many additional calories you should really consume when you’re eating for two (it’s not twice your usual), the recommended pregnancy tests to take and what to do at every trimester so you’ll be all set for baby’s arrival.
Dive into our pregnancy guide and go from baby in the womb to delivery room with confidence.
