Because a birth changes life...
There are moments that change a life. A future birth is one of them.
What follows is a wave of upheavals, both emotional and physical. You learn to discover a body that carries life, you learn about intrauterine development, you visualize your new life as a family of three... All of this peppered with your rollercoaster emotions! In short, the joys of pregnancy.
Without realizing it, you are preparing to welcome your child.
But there comes a time when you feel the need to take stock. Are you in this situation?
That's great, because in this article, I'm sharing 10 examples of things to do to prepare before birth. After that, I promise you'll have peace of mind!
1/ Cook in advance for postpartum
Preparing before birth also means anticipating the postpartum period, because once you've given birth, you'll be hand and foot tied to your newborn. In other words, you'll have neither the time nor the desire to cook. However, it's important to eat well in the weeks following childbirth. So make sure to prepare healthy meals and snacks like energy balls that you can freeze.
>>> Also read: what is batch cooking with baby and how to organize it?
2/ Read to understand your child
Since you found out you were pregnant, you've probably bought books to understand the changes inherent in pregnancy, right? Well, don't stop there! Books are a great tool for learning, and once baby is here, you might have less time or energy to get lost in the pages of a book that explains how to understand your child or build a bond.
Take advantage of the quiet time and read.
And if you don't like to read, you can always listen to podcasts!
3/ Create a cozy corner
Setting up a room dedicated to your future baby is a way to make their arrival tangible, and let's face it, decorating a child's room is fun! But maybe you'll need to create a new room by doing some work, so don't leave it too late.
Then, once the universe you want to create is approved, all you have to do is buy the necessary equipment for welcoming a newborn: bed, baby monitor, changing table, wardrobe, toys, etc.
4/ Think about the name
If there's one thing to do to prepare before birth, it's to agree on the name. Even if for some parents it's obvious, for others the choice is sometimes complicated. To avoid disagreement dragging on until D-day, don't hesitate to take the time to discuss it beforehand and validate a name for both sexes in case you want to keep the surprise until delivery. Also consult name lists, read and above all, don't put pressure on yourself!
5/ Sleep as much as possible
A little tip: take a sleep shot!
No, it's not a myth, having a child transforms your life, but also your nights!
During the first few weeks, the infant needs to find its bearings and to help it "come to life" and develop properly, you, as parents, are at its service day... and night. This translates into comfort in the face of nocturnal crying: baby wakes up and doesn't know where it is, so only your presence can soothe it, but also through feeding: breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
6/ Organize a photo shoot
And why not immortalize your round belly with a proper photo shoot? You can take these photos alone or share them with your partner. This suspended moment will be an opportunity to pose in front of the lens as you may never have done before. So enjoy exposing yourself, because a pregnancy photoshoot can also be an experience that boosts self-confidence for women who find it difficult to cope with their physical transformation.
7/ Make a baby registry
Regarding equipment, it is advisable to buy furniture and childcare accessories in advance to welcome baby, because yes, a newborn needs to be equipped! For this, think about the baby registry.
Share your wishes by creating a personalized list that you then share with your family and friends. They will be happy to participate in this happy event by giving you a material helping hand!
8/ Clean up
Clean up? Yes, we dared!
Tidying up or rearranging certain areas of your home somehow marks a renewal. When you leave for the maternity ward, you will come back as three (or more if you already have children), and your life will no longer be the same. Take advantage of your last moments as a pregnant woman to sort things out and free up space both physically and mentally.
10/ Plan a moment for just the two of you
With the arrival of your child, you won't have as much time as before to enjoy your couple's life, especially during the first few months. So don't hesitate to treat yourselves to a little romantic weekend where you only think about the two of you. Get massages, go for walks, have dinner at a restaurant...
In short, treat yourselves!
Have these ideas of things to do to prepare before birth inspired you?
Tell us all about it in the comments!
