If you and your partner are thinking about trying for a baby then it’s always good to feel that you are fully prepared. This is easier said than done, but there are things you can do to find out if now is the right time for you to be taking that next step. Take a look below to find out more.
Begin taking prenatal vitamins
The first step is to start taking your prenatal vitamins and supplements, when trying for a baby, especially folic acid supplements. It’s recommended to start taking these even before you start trying for a baby, as folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida. It is recommended to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you’re pregnant and until you’re 12 weeks pregnant!
Put in place a little board of affirmations
Or something similar, this can be so helpful to help to remind you to trust the process and keep faith. As it is rare to get pregnant right away, plus with miscarriage being a common event, it may take a little while to start your family or get to where you want to be. Think of it as a journey you are beginning and that you are welcoming in a new phase of your life.
Check out what Parental Leave might be like
Another thing you need to do is figure out what your parental leave is like. How much time are you allowed to have off? How much will you pay when you are on leave? Can you roll your vacation days into your leave? Parental leave policies do tend to vary quite widely so it is advised to try and be aware of your company’s rules, so you can take positive steps forward with your journey. If you are in a profession that is seasonal then it helps to plan your pregnancy or your birth around that. If you need to, then now could also be the time to look into embryo donation.
Do a Therapy Check-in
Parenthood brings about a lot of changes. It can also bring up issues from your childhood. If you want to help yourself then it may be that you explore the idea of therapy. If you do this then you may find that you are able to work through a number of issues and that you are able to support yourself mentally during this time.
Set up a support network
Babies tend to create a lot of responsibility. They also create a lot of new roles. While you may not be able to predict everything that there is to know about your new life, it is so helpful to set up a support network, that you can rely on in your hardest moments. If you are going to go solo, then you may want to have support from your friends, your family, and even a birthing team. Hiring a cleaner could also be a good option, to help in the early days, to save you some precious energy.
Think of some self care outlets
Self-care is so important, but often naturally comes last on the list as a new parent. If you do not focus on self-care, even though you have a little one to look after then this will make it harder for you to cope. Make sure that you put things into place now, so you can make sure that you are always looking after yourself.
