Pregnancy nerves
Anyone who has children will tell you how magical this time is from the moment you start discussing baby names to the day you watch your child graduate from school. However they will probably also tell you how hard it is and how much you go through by way of worry and stress, particularly in terms of your child's physical well being. The first days of pregnancy, where you talk about baby names and look through clothes shops are a time to relish and enjoy, as is the birth of your child and beyond. But these joyful days are sometimes marred by concern and fear for your child's safety and health. Confident and fulfilling parenting goes alongside an ability to seek help, support and advice.
Your responsibility as a parent starts from when your baby is a tiny foetus. Pregnancy is, in some ways, an opportunity to relax before the whirlwind of parenthood begins, a chance to look through baby names and buy cute outfits. However, this does not mean it comes without responsibility. Your baby needs to be looked after on the inside just as it does on the outside. It needs to be provided with all the important nutrients and kept safe from toxins such as alcohol and tobacco. However, what a lot of pregnant women find is that the advice out there can be extremely conflicting. Well meaning family can tell you that something is fine to drink or eat, yet government guidelines may say something completely different. The best thing to do is to buy a guide to pregnancy, preferably one that has been written by a paediatrician. Up to date advice on diet and lifestyle is essential during pregnancy to ensure the good health of your unborn child.
When the baby arrives there is so much to think about, especially in terms of your child's safety and well being. Preparation is key here and it's worth using the time during pregnancy to really be up on your information. You will need to look into how to make your home safe and also think about what you will need in the home. During the many midwife appointments you will have during this time you can ask any questions you may have for the future. Some parents also attend first aid courses for advice on basic emergency paediatric first aid.
Once you have chosen from the list of baby names, completed the task of pregnancy and your baby arrives, the real work will begin. But don't worry, there is a whole world of support and advice out there to help you. Most often you may turn to the NHS for these things. The NHS offers a selection of face to face services from A&E, walk in clinics and GP's. The NHS also provides the wonderful NHS direct service, which can be used either online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or over the phone on 0845 4647. Both these services are an excellent source of help for parents who need medical advice but would rather not visit the hospital or surgery.
Once your baby is born you will remain in the care of the midwifery service and then the local health visitor service for a while. Visits after your baby is born are great as you will have a lot of questions and very little time as you adapt to life as a new parent. Prepare a list of questions with your partner the evening before they attend as you may not remember everything at the time. Local baby clinics are open monthly or weekly in your area and give you the chance to not only have your baby weighed but to also speak to a health visitor.
In recent years the internet has become an essential tool for first time parents. Sometimes you just need to know that other people are going through what you are going through. There are now many dedicated pregnancy and baby websites, look for the ones which are trusted sites such as www.babycentre.co.uk and www.mumsnet.co.uk. These sites have a lot of useful information and practical tips. They also have forums where you can ask about any worries you have and find out about how other's dealt with the same worries.
Those close to you are essential in the early days and it's not just about cooking dinner or doing the washing up. Your mother, your father in law, maybe your siblings, have all been through being a parent. Any worries you have about your child's health may be easily answered by a friend or family member who has had a similar experience. Beware though that research and government advice is changing all the time, so just because they did something in Granny's day does not always mean it is best. Friends who are having babies at the same time as you can be amazing for help, support and advice.
Looking at the sheer wealth of help and information available to you as a new parent can be daunting in itself. Think about all the options you have from forums, to health professionals and family members and then you can assess who to turn to first. Everyone is there to help you through these early days and beyond and your child's health is important to them too.
Looking to find the best source of information about pregnancy symptoms and understanding your pregnancy week by week.
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