Prepared for Pregnancy
You’re going to have a baby – that’s wonderful news. Congratulations!
How do you feel? What do you think? Are you prepared? No, of course not but guess what? It has happened before so you’re not alone. And here within Bedfordshire on Sunday’s Health and Beauty pages you can find out a little more about what to …expect!
The future is going to be exciting. It’s going to be fun. It will probably be nerve-wracking and you can bet your life it’ll be rewarding. It is definitely scary but most of all… it is amazing!
So sit down, put your feet up and take a look at the information we’ve put together for you. Because before you know where you are that bump is going to be a beautiful little baby – yours!
Choosing a name
When it comes to choosing a name for your baby you have to take into account all sorts of things.
How will it sound in eight years time when it's yelled across the playground at a decibel level of 180?
What is the likelihood of it being shortened to something truly awful?
And is there a danger that the initials of your child's name will spell out something embarrassing?
Yes, there are pitfalls - but there is also pure pleasure in choosing a name for your baby. Across the world Mohammed, in every conceivable variation of spelling, is the most common name for a boy but in 2010, here in the UK, these are currently the Top Ten favourites for Boys and Girls.
1.Olivia 2.Sophie 3.Lily 4.Emily 5.Ruby 6.Jessica 7.Chloe 8.Ava 9.Grace 10.Amelia
1.Oliver 2.Jack 3.Harry 4.Charlie 5.Alfie 6.Thomas 7.Joshua 8.William 9.Daniel 10. James
Birthing options
One important decision you need to make during pregnancy is where you will give birth. Talk to other women to find out about their experiences, discuss the issues with your midwife and read about them, too. Here are some of the things you need to consider before reaching your decision.
- Whether this is your first baby
- Whether you're having one baby, twins, or more
- How any previous pregnancies and births went
- How your pregnancy is going at the moment
- Any special health needs
- Where you'd prefer to give birth
You'll usually have a choice of location for the birth. There may be a number of maternity units in your area, or a birth centre, or you may choose to have your baby at home.You can get any information you need from your doctor, midwife, other mothers and organisations such as the National Childbirth Trust, BirthChoiceUK and the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services.
Writing a birth plan helps you to focus on the different aspects of your care during labour and birth. Your midwife will be able to help with any information and advice you need. Ask as many questions as you want to work out what you'd like.
A copy should be kept with your notes. Take your own copy to hospital when the time comes.
Nothing in your plan has to be fixed. You can change your mind at any time, even at the very last minute. Circumstances might change, too, which could make you see things differently or change your needs.
It's best to think of the plan as a guide for you and the people caring for you, rather than a blueprint of what has to happen.
It's a cliche but it's true; beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.
But there's always room for improvement!
Your health, and that of your family, is the most important thing in the world. Being healthy means saying yes to feeling good.