Positive! There’s almost nothing as heart warming as seeing two lines on your pregnancy kit. Especially if you’ve been praying and waiting. Congratulations! Your life is about to change. This article is to help you in this new phase of your life.

1. All pregnancies are different

Some ladies make pregnancy look like a runway show. They don’t give up on their heels, their make up is never out of place, they add little or no weight except for the bump, yet they have the time to cook for their husbands everyday while keep in their regular hours. But not you! Even one of those things could make you feel sick. You must realise that all pregnancies are different. What could be a turn off for someone else might work for you and vice versa. Even if you’ve been pregnant before, you’d realise that no two pregnancies are the same. The way you felt during your last pregnancy may be the way you feel this time. Labour would most likely be different as well.
 

2. You’ve got nothing to prove

Based on my last point, I must remind you, dear sister that you have nothing to prove to anyone. I spent most of my first trimester asleep on my coach without any feeling of guilt whatsoever. The doctors specifically told me that I needed to rest. Especially if your pregnancy is a sensitive one, don’t feel like you have to stress yourself out just to prove that you’re a strong woman. At that time, I told myself, I’m working by resting like this. My body is doing the work of keeping this child safe.

3. Start antenatal on time

Many health insurers would rather you start ante natal classes at 12 weeks. That is fine. But if you can start earlier, why not? That way, if there are issues, your doctors can find out on time and take necessary steps.
 

4. Relating with your spouse

One of the reasons I usually advise couples to wait a few months before getting pregnant is because pregnancy can really affect a woman’s behaviour. Hormones can make you more emotional, the extra weight and morning sickness can make you lazy, the list goes on and on. But even then, you have to be more intentional about relating with your husband. Remember that even though you’re taking on a new role as a mother, you’re first a foremost a wife. If you don’t feel up to cooking, you can contract it out. You can also get someone to clean up for you once in a while. Especially during the first trimester, sex may not be attractive to some women. But except your doctor has instructed otherwise, sex is safe in pregnancy. So try not to forget your partner also has feelings. Don’t vent your frustrations out on him. Talk to him calmly, explaining the situation of things and how you need his support.

5. Planning healthcare

If you have health insurance, find out what areas are covered and what areas aren’t. If not, from the day you know you’re pregnant, start saving towards health case. How much would a vaginal delivery cost in your preferred hospital? How about a Ceaserian section? I think its best to use a hospital based on the testimony of people you know who have used it. Start saving up. It would be easier to put some money aside monthly than to bring it all out at it once. Save a little more than the bill is in case there are unexpected expenses.

6. Nothing to fear

All the people you see in the world today where given birth to by someone who is most likely alive and well. There is no need to fear child birth. Instead confess what God’s word says concerning you. I’ve put together some pregnancy confessions for you.
I want pregnancy confessions.
 

7. Listen to your doctors

I don’t mean that you should let them talk you out of your Faith when there is an issue. But take your doctor’s advice; ‘ if he says to rest, please do. If she says avoid intercourse for a while, please do. Take your vitamins and prescription medication regularly. No matter how much you hate medication, you can’t hate it as you’d hate endangering your life or the life of your child.

8. Prayers

10. Pregnancy shopping

On Tuesday, April 11  I’ll be posting a full ‘encyclopeadia’ of baby shopping. What to buy, what not to buy and when to buy. Mail me as soon as the list is out.

11. Diet and Exercise

So, how much weight should you gain during pregnancy? Experts say that it depends on how much you weighed before you conceived and whether that’s the appropriate weight for your height. The relationship between your height and weight is expressed in a number called a body mass index, or BMI. There are various online platforms where you can calculate your BMI.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is in the healthy range. If your pre-pregnancy weight was in this range before pregnancy, target to gain between 11.4 and 15.9 kg.
If you’re underweight with a BMI below 18.5, target gaining between 12.7 and 20 kg.
If you’re overweight with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, your target weight should be between 6.8 and 11.4kg.
If you’re Obese  with a BMI of 30 or higher): If you were obese for your height, you should gain between 5 and 10 pounds.
Generally, women carrying twins gain between 16.8 and 27 kilos.
Experts usually recommend walks and swimming as the best exercises for pregnant women, but please speak to your doctor about it.
 

16. Jara

 I originally planned to write ten tips, but as you can see, here we are…It’s because I keep remembering stuff. So I’ll just lump them all here.

• Remember to sleep on your left side, experts say its best for your baby
• Expect crazy sexual urges in second and third trimester-or don’t-not everyone gets this. I won’t tell you what category I fell into. (Runs to go wash hands with anointing oil)
• Do most of your nursery preparations in second trimester.
• Keep your feet elevated to prevent swelling
• (I will add the rest when I remember, off to pick my princess from creche)