By Dr. Schmidt
As a new mom-to-be, you are probably anxiously awaiting the arrival of your little bundle of joy. As we know, planning for a new baby can be a bit overwhelming. Not to worry, Women’s Health Specialists is here for you as you navigate this new adventure and exciting time in your life. Here are a few ways we recommend preparing for your child’s birth.
While every woman responds differently to pregnancy and birth, there are a few ways you can prepare physically. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and maintain moderate exercise throughout pregnancy. Some women also find it helpful to do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. A birthing prep class can also help by teaching you tips for the actual birth, such as focal point focus and how a partner can help you cope while in labor.
Emotional well-being is also extremely important to prepare for birth. While pregnant, your body goes through many hormone changes, and with that can bring on depression, anxiety and mood swings. This is all completely normal, and you should be honest with your doctor as they can help you work through these changes. Having a support team, including connecting with other moms, can help lighten the emotional load that birth can bring.
You may want to take some time to reflect on your upcoming birth to mentally prepare you for the experience. Visualizing a successful birth and positive meditation can support a healthy mental well-being.
Becoming a mother also brings social changes, which is why it is important to connect with others who are in a similar stage of life. Depending on how active your social life was before birth, you may feel down on yourself or even feel isolated from other people as you adjust to life with a newborn. We always remind new moms to cut themselves some slack. While it may be tempting to spend time on social media seeing what other moms are doing, remember that there is no such thing as a perfect mother and as long as you are doing your best, you are rocking it!
Ultimately, new moms should expect the unexpected. From conception to pregnancy and finally to birth and beyond, including lactation, our team at Women’s Health Specialists is here for you every step of the way. There are no silly questions and we take your concerns very seriously.
If you do feel that you need more help with the mental or social well-being side of preparing for birth, your provider can help you seek the attention of a counselor. This should be an exciting and positive experience for both you and your baby, and our team is eager to help you through the ups and downs. To contact a Women’s Health Specialists provider, call (920) 749-4000. We look forward to hearing from you soon.