Get ready for BABY!?

Question

I haven't had any children yet but I can't wait. I want to have two and adopt one. I want to be prepared when I get pregnant. How can I prepare myself (other than tv, books, and other people). I mean money wise,mentally and physically. I want to get prgnant in the begining of February of 2008. Suggestions?!?

Answer 1

Honestly I'm not sure that you can ever really be completely ready to have a baby. As far as money babies are very expensive how much money do have saved? Save more you need to have rainy day money in case of emergency money and so much more.
Having a baby changes every thing as far as the physical you never know how pregnancy is going to effect your body until you pregnant of course but just be prepared to feel sleepy and uncomfortable cause when you get farther along you can't sleep like you used to. You should also be prepared to vomit often cause contrary to popular belief morning sickness doesn't only occur in the morning sometimes it's all day! When you do get pregnant your going to want to have at least a months worth of leave from your job depending on your benefits package you need this outside of your maternity leave. just in case.
I can't really tell you how to prepare for the baby mentally it happen all on it's own!
I hope all that helps

Answer 2

I was the same way before baby - wanting to be prepared. I read lots of books, talked with parents, etc. Now, 3 kids later, I can honestly tell you, you cannot be totally prepared for parenthood! :) Sorry. Now as for pregnancy, physical preparation is going to be the easiest probably because we have guidelines for what our weight needs to be for our height and body type. Money wise, insurance is a good thing to have. You'll have LOADS of doctors appointments and tests. Doctor bills, hospital bills, anaesthesiology bills, etc. I think my Dr charges about $2000 for the prenatal and delivery then the hospital is extra. The pediatricians that discharges the baby will also have a bill. Then of course after the baby is here diapers, wipes, formula (if you don't breastfeed), clothes, and all the baby stuff that goes with it. My suggestion is to get on a budget that you can stick to now so it's not too hard after baby. Mentally, there's just no way to explain the emotional roller coaster you are on when pregnant and then also after baby because of lack of sleep. But after they start smiling and gooing - Oh, it is SO worth every agonizing minute! :) Gotta love that baby talk.

Now this may sound strange, but if you haven't raised a puppy from 6-8 weeks of age before, I suggest doing that before the baby. You have to get up to take the puppy out in the middle of the night and clean messes. It's not exactly a baby of course, but you get a "taste".

Good luck! Having a baby is a wonderful and patient building experience!

Answer 3

Start taking prenatal vitamins now. They are just regular vitamins but with some added things and more of certain things to aid the fetus and you during pregnancy. It will nto hurt you to start takign them now. This will get you into a routine so ou wont forget them when you ARE pregnant. You can buy these at Walamrt, or any other places that sell vitamins. I woudl suggest takign them right before bed, as some people get an upset tummy from them.
Financially speaking...well...you can never really be prepared money wise. You never knwo what you will need to have money for when baby gets here. Perhapes your baby will be a special needs baby and therefore require alot more doctor visits, medication, therapy, etc. Or perhaps you will need special formula if your baby has refulx. So there is no way finanncially to prepare. Make sure you do not have alot of outstanding debt, so that way you will access to as much money as possible when baby is here (im not talking abotu car payments, etc...Im talking abotu credit cards, loans, etc.) Make sure you have a plan as to how you will get income...whether it be working until you give birth, or getting support from your boyfriend/husband, etc.
You can also start deciding what type of birth experience you wish to have. A scheduled C Section (not reccommended in my opinion), vaginal birth...with or without meds...

Also physically speaking, try to get somewhat in shape, or at least start a regular routine of activity. Once you are pregnant, you can continue your established routine, but it is not reccommended to start any new physical activites/routines.

Mentally, nothign can prepare you in my opinion. Pregnancy is different for everyone. So since I had morning sickness, it doesnt mean you will. Just remind yourself when you are pregnant, that no matter what negative thing you have going on (backache, morning sickness, ligament pain, etc) it wil pass, and it is all worth it in the end. Your body was mean tto do this, and it will recover just fine.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 4

It says on your profile that you are 19 yrs. old. .Are you married, single etc... I would say you may want to open a savings account and put aside some money for baby things.. If you are working and have insurance I would suggest going to the obgyn and having your annual exam and check-up.. Update your medical records and get any immunizations you may have lapsed on... It's also critical that you go to the dentist and get your teeth cleaned, since a baby will be depleating you of valuable vitamins/minerals it's good to get a through exam/cleaning before you get pregnant.. Also, start taking care of your body.. If you are overweight loose a few pounds and start taking a vitamin supplement maybe even a prenatal vitamin to get used to taking it... If you smoke or drink quit make your body as healthy as possible.. Get your rest and drink plenty of water... Get the book What to Expect when you are expecting and read it thouroughly.. It's a good guide... Good luck

Answer 5

Wow, get ready for some hard times! Well, it's always good to gather tips from your mom, mother-in-law, aunts...etc., so you're doing good so far. Maybe get the nursery ready in a all-gender friendly, as you can't know the baby's gender yet. Something like rubber duckies, clowns/circus, teddy bears, etc. And it's never too early to start saving for a child's college fund- so maybe set up an account for baby and start putting in a certain amount per week. [Whatever you can afford]

Also, physically you can start eating healthy. Veggies and fruits, milk, water, all of the good stuff. If you start now, it will be easier to eat healthy when you are pregnant, and to teach your child to eat healthy and have a good lifestyle when he/she is older.

Finally, I hope all goes well...good luck!

Answer 6

Start taking prenatal vitamins.

Some women are very lucky and get pregnant immediately, others take months or years. Just because you want to get pregnant early in February 2008 does not mean your cycle will cooperate. Don't stress out if it doesn't happen for you right away.

Answer 7

save every penny you can starting now. The drastic drop in income once you go on preg leave until you head back to work if you do will be a big shock - income drops and expenses (for baby) increase

Answer 8

start eating healthier and go to ur DR for an annual exams. Get test for std/hiv and all that.