How to Prepare for a Baby in a Pandemic

 

Preparing for a baby is one of the life-changing events you will ever encounter. Expecting parenthood can dramatically change your priorities, values and expectations. While you are anticipating the living form of your love, it might be the wrong timing. When the world fights against a pandemic, you are to take special measures to prepare your baby from the womb itself to be strong enough to fight for himself.

Well, understanding these shifts and transitions as a normal part of the process of pregnancy can help you prepare beforehand and eventually help in dealing well. To make pregnancy a smooth journey for you to appreciate what a great feeling it is to be a mother, here are some insights that might be your guide during those times you feel emotionally caught-up and helpless. Pregnancy is a great time of transition. Use this time to articulate and address all your fears and seek support from a strong network for a better family. 

Pregnancy checklist

The first trimester of the pregnancy won’t even make you feel pregnant. Prepare a mindset to deal with all the changes in the mood and the food cravings you are about to experience in the coming months. As the world adapts in uncalled situations and adjusts, some of the things might not go as per your plan. Unanticipated shifts in your plans can be made beautiful and exciting as well. You might also experience a virtual baby shower. Get a group of close friends and family to creatively plan your virtual baby shower to make it more fun and engaging. Prepare yourself to be flexible to adapt to this new normal. Amidst the celebrations, do not forget to research what’s right and safe for your baby and what is not.

While experiencing a roller coaster ride of your life with probably the best of emotions and worst of mood swings, do not forget to take care of your health. Start aligning your pregnancy cravings with pregnancy food that is equally beneficial for your baby’s health. Remember you are feeding for two now. Make sure to include a lot of veggies and fruits and do not forget to drink plenty of water. To take care of all the morning sickness and feeling bloated and nausea, add some ginger, something sour, mint, smoothies, and plenty of nutritious food to your diet.  

The Dos and Don’ts of pregnancy during a pandemic

With the outbreak of a global pandemic, there is no chance you can take regarding the safety measures for your baby. While a lot of things you experience are similar to any mother, your checklist must include special precautions as you expect your little one during a tough time. 

Try sticking to virtual medical or other important sessions unless there is an emergency. Stay at home until there is a medical emergency. 

As far as possible restrict visitors. In case of your family members who have to go outdoors, keep an economic hand sanitiser at the main door. Ensure that they follow the safety measures equally strictly. After all, your baby should be the priority of all of the family members. 

Avoid gatherings or social functions of any kind unless necessary including crowded areas like malls, markets or crowded lifts.  

Get going with your research with the best childcare options. Be prepared for your little bundle of joy as best as you can.

Start shopping for maternity clothes and buy a comfortable dress to let that bump in your belly breathe. Keep the shopping virtual as per necessity to avoid exposure to a crowded place.

Don’t take a chance to make any mistake when your little one arrives. Be prepared with special diapering techniques and train yourself well to manage your babies needs. 

As a safety measure during the world shut down amidst the pandemic, the bare minimum as a soon to be a mother is to keep a sanitiser handy.

Your workout schedule plays a key role in deciding the health of your baby. Plan it well. Manage minor workout schedules as feasible.  

Inculcate the habit of a safety mask. It marks your step forward as a mother.   

Early pregnancy marks a lot of exhaustion. With all the precautions and intentional careful schedule, it is important to keep yourself well-rested. 

Motherhood can be really stressful. With all of the changes in your body, to adapt to all of your changing needs, it becomes quite difficult to manage. There should be an outlet for the things that are considered a normal part of pregnancy. The mood swings, cravings, pain, do snatch away every bit of your mental energy. 

The day of birth takes away the focus of attention to the baby. As such, the emotional and physical distress that the postpartum phase while returning from a pregnant to a non-pregnant phase brings to the mother is underrated. As postpartum care goes far deep in medical terms, there are certain self-management skills that would help you deal effectively with any situation to be the warrior mother you wanted to be. Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, affirmations or meditation moments can prove to be the most effective for calming your nerves. Relax! You are all set and prepared. Wait patiently for your big day.