I stopped in to the studio today and watched young mothers checking in for the prenatal class. The chatter about each of their “conditions” warmed my heart. We feel very lucky to have Jessica lead our prenatal classes, helping to prepare these young mothers for their journey into motherhood. When I checked our Heart Stream email a few minutes ago young woman had submitted an article to post on our website about having babies! A little to serendipitous. So even though we are a yoga studio, we care about the health and wellness of our community so I’ve decided to post the article with some advice for our preggers out there. Marsha
Preparing For Your Baby’s First Day
With the baby on the way, it’s time for expecting mothers to start preparing to bring new bundle of joy home. Even beyond getting things like diapers and onesies, there are a number of other preparations that can be made prior to the big arrival day.
Install a Car Seat
Today, most hospitals will not allow you to leave with a baby unless you have a car seat properly installed in the car. It can be helpful to practice installing a car seat several times so that you are prepared if it needs to be installed in a taxi. Installing a car seat in advance of the baby’s arrival can also help get familiar with driving around with it.
Stock Up on Supplies
Many mothers can be exhausted, albeit happy, when they get home from the hospital after having a baby. In the weeks and months before the baby arrives, it can be helpful to stock up on items that will be needed in those first few days and weeks right afterward. Also, items like infant diapers, laundry detergent and baby wipes will be needed.
Stock Up on Easy Meals
It is very common for women to start feeling anxious and want to keep busy in the days leading up to delivery. One way to accommodate this need to “nest” is to cook up a batch of easy to eat meals and freezing them. This way, there will be lots available to eat on those days when cooking is just not an option. Also, it is a good idea to stock up on things to eat on the go for days when there just isn’t enough time or energy to sit down for a meal. Dried fruit, healthy cereals and granola bars are a great source of quick energy and easy to eat between taking care of your new baby activities.
Line Up Help
It can be very valuable to line up help in advance to assist mom in dealing with the exhaustion that will set in within hours of getting home. If family members are willing to help out, certainly recruit them in any way possible. If possible, other ideas include lining up temporary housecleaning services, getting a dependable teenager to assist with older kids and lining up a doula to visit several times after the baby is born.
Prepare for the Hospital
There are a few steps that can be helpful in preparing for the day you actually check-in to the hospital for your delivery. Packing a hospital bag is a common practice by expecting mothers; packing a bag with a change of clothes for mother and baby as well as some toiletries and comfort items. Attending a birthingclass may be helpful for some expecting mothers as it’s a great place to learn more about what to expect on the big day and other optional procedures related to the birth, such as circumcision or cord blood banking.
Having a baby brings a lot of joy to a mother. With a little advance planning, the transition of bring home a new baby can go very smoothly. Then you will be able to spend time enjoying your new baby, ooing and aahing over those new fingers and toes as you coo him or her to sleep.
This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.
This is wonderful!!!!! thank you so much for posting this.
I was told to give your pre natal classes a try, I’ve never done yoga before and wasn’t sure if the class was going to be to advanced? If not do I need to schedule for a class or can I drop in ?
Hi Michelle, Prenatals are designed just for you. All you need to do is drop in. Once you see how things go you can think about a punch card. Just ask Jessica.