A-Advice. “Seek advice—ask when you have questions or want input. Others have been where you are now! As for unsolicited advice, let it roll off your back. Most people try to be helpful, but always remember what is best for you and your family,” says Erika Moreland, Overland Park mom of two.
B-Bag. Make sure you have your bag packed … before 38 weeks! I had my bag packed in plenty of time for our first pregnancy, but I was more lax for our second. When I went into unexpected labor at 37.5 weeks, I didn’t have time to pack anything else and ended up having to rely on my husband to bring me stuff!
C-Comfort. Most women find pregnancy to be uncomfortable, especially toward the end, which can make sleep tricky. Jackie Black, Olathe mom of three, says, “Rolling over in bed at night became an orchestrated event. It involved a lot of planning, all five of my support pillows and my husband’s physical and emotional support!”
D-Doctor’s appointments. You will be making a lot of these, so be sure you like the practice you are with and don’t be afraid to switch if you don’t. Bear in mind many practices will have you see other practitioners at times in case your doctor isn’t available when you deliver.
E-Educate yourself. Kelsey Elliott, Olathe mom of two, shares, “Expecting mothers often question everything! What food is safe? What medication is safe? How is my baby developing at this stage of pregnancy? I recommend getting an app that helps track and guide you through your pregnancy journey. The Ovia Pregnancy App is a great resource for expecting mothers!”
F-Feeding. Whether you breast or bottle feed will be among the many decisions you will have to make as a new mom. Though opinions out there differ, the only right option is what works best for you and baby.
G-Glucose test. This screening test is usually done around 24-28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes and is almost always spoken ill of! Granted, the drink wouldn’t be my first choice, but there certainly are worse things. Grab a straw and a magazine and bottoms up!
H-Hormonal. Yep, you will be. You might cry at TV commercials or over the tiniest thing that happens in your day. You may not be able to stand the sight or smell of foods you used to love. All completely normal!
I-Iron. The role iron plays in pregnancy is a big one, including developing the placenta and producing more blood. Your doctor will let you know whether you need to take a supplement.
J-Join. Consider joining a childbirth or parenting class or taking a CPR class. Now is also a good time to look into joining a moms group for after Baby is born!
K-Kicks. “Feeling your baby kick is a beautiful experience! At first they feel like butterfly flutters or little bubbles popping. As your pregnancy progresses, those little flutters turn into jabs, rolls, twists and turns that can be seen from the outside. You can even feel your baby’s hiccups!” shares Elliott.
L-Listen to your body. Elliott also says, “Pregnancy fatigue is the real deal, especially in the first trimester. Take naps, stay hydrated and find yourself a good pregnancy pillow for a more comfortable night's rest!”
M-Motherhood. Motherhood is a journey, not a destination! A wise colleague of mine put it this way: “Having a child changes your life from black and white to color.”
N-Nesting. As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may find yourself “nesting,” cleaning and organizing like a fiend! All of this is part of the journey as you prepare to welcome your new little one to your home.
O-Offers. Say yes when people offer to help, especially during the final weeks of pregnancy or with siblings.
P-Prep. Jessica Kilby, Overland Park mom of one, suggests, “Prep as much as you can while pregnant, as this will make things easier once the baby comes—buying packs of diapers, hitting sales for baby needs, meal prepping, getting the nursery ready, etc.”
Q-Queasy. Many women experience queasy, nauseous tummies during the first trimester, and a smaller percentage of women experience this for much longer. Be sure to visit with your doctor if queasiness is an issue for you. Ginger chews, mints and eating small, frequent snacks throughout the day can all be helpful as well.
R-Register. Phew, this can feel really overwhelming because of all.the.stuff out there for babies. But remember, a lot of what’s for sale isn’t really a must-have for Baby or you. With all the online registry options, as well, it’s easier than ever to add and delete things from your registry right from home!
S-Scale. Don’t obsess over how much weight you are or are not gaining. Your doctor will let you know if there is a concern, so in the meantime, continue eating a healthy, well balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
T-Tired. You will be more tired than you ever thought possible but somehow find it within yourself to keep on going!
U-Ultrasounds. These treasured little glimpses of your baby are amazing and nothing short of miraculous!
V-Vulnerable. Pregnancy can feel like a very vulnerable time. Your hormones are out of whack, your body is changing in crazy ways and so much unknown looms on the horizon. Take some time for yourself and have a good support person to whom you can vent.
W-Wonders and worries. “The amount of wonders and worries you will have about your future child will fill your mind and heart on many sleepless nights. Eventually, you realize just to take things as they come and try to push those to the side,” says Kilby.
X-eXercise. Be sure to consult with your doctor regarding exercise, but keeping your body moving and going for walks are great ways to stay healthy throughout pregnancy.
Y-Yoga. Consider a gentle yoga class. Not only will it help some of those aches and pains, but it can be a nice time of relaxation for you too.
Z-Zillion. The number of times you will have to pee during your pregnancy!
You might be pregnant if …
- you have to pee as soon as you just finished.
- you are exhausted beyond belief.
- you cry (or shout) all the time. Hello hormones!
- your mouth tastes metallic.
- your sense of smell has suddenly become your superpower.
Julie Collett writes having had many of these experiences herself during her four pregnancies!
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.