What an exciting time waiting for your little one to make his or her appearance! It can be a very exciting but also anxious time - worrying about what the birth will be like, wondering if you have everything ready that you will need and so on. But don't despair, there are things you can do to prepare that will take some of the anxiety out of waiting for the big moment.
Getting ready for your baby's arrival. Many parents want to get the nursery ready in anticipation of their baby's arrival. In addition to getting the nursery ready, there are other things parents may want to consider doing. Here are some suggestions as to things to think about in preparation of the arrival of your little bundle of joy:
Consider attending a birth class. During a birth class, you will learn about the stages of labor and what to expect during each stage, your options to manage the pain, helpful breathing techniques, as well as the possible medical equipment that may (or may not) be used in the delivery of your baby. Classes will vary by provider so do a bit of research to find the one that suits you.
Find a family physician for your baby. You may want to start looking for a family physician for your child when you are about halfway through your pregnancy. Starting to find one this early might seem odd but you want to give yourself time to find a doctor that is a good fit for you and your child. This may be a little challenging depending on your medical insurance and availability of physicians in your area. You will also want to add your baby to your insurance policy - or at least get the ball rolling so that there is less to worry about when the baby arrives.
Prepare older children & pets. If you already have a child (or children) you will want to take some steps to prepare him/her for the arrival of a new baby. Get older siblings involved in the pregnancy - let them feel your tummy, show them any ultrasound photos, read some stories about being a big brother or sister and so on. Some parents even choose to use a baby doll to help their child to understand what is happening. As for pets, you can play sounds of a baby crying, rock in the rocking chair and so on to get the pet familiar with tasks you will be attending to.
Schedule help for the days and weeks following the birth. During those first post-partum weeks, extra sets of hands is essential. If help has not been offered to you, don't hesitate to ask people to help you out when your new baby arrives. Some tasks that you might need help with while you care for your baby are: cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, walking the dog, driving to appointments and so on. It may be helpful to have a schedule so you know who will help out with what and when. If you do not have any friends or relatives that are able to help you, consider hiring a cleaning person, a post-partum doula, a dog walker or even a night nanny. If you already have a child, be sure to line up child care well in advance.
Know what to do when labor begins. Make a firm plan of what to do when your labor begins. Your physician or midwife should provide you with clear instruction as to where to go, when to go and who to call. Know who will take you to the birthing center or hospital and the route you will take. Familiarize yourself with where you will give birth so you know which entrance to use, where to park etc. And finally, enjoy all of these preparations while you anticipate meeting your little one for the very first time!