When you're pregnant, it can be challenging to envision life after your baby is born. Often, the impending birth occupies your thoughts so much that it's hard to focus on anything else. However, thinking ahead to life with a newborn is crucial.
The Bigger Picture
I recall very little from my antenatal course at my local hospital in Glasgow, except for one key takeaway from the midwife. She said that while the birth of your baby is incredibly important, it is just a brief moment compared to the lifetime of parenting that follows. She was absolutely right.
This doesn’t mean we should overlook the significance of birth. It is a defining moment that will be remembered forever. Ask any grandmother, and she'll likely recall the details of her children's births vividly. However, it's also essential to prepare for the realities of life after your baby arrives.
Planning for the Newborn Phase
How do you prepare for life with a newborn? It can feel abstract while you're pregnant, and hearing about others' experiences doesn't quite capture what it will be like for you.
Antenatally is the time to consider how you'll manage both physically and mentally in those early months. The Complete Birth Prep Package covers this in depth. There are only 24 hours in a day, and once your baby is here, that doesn’t change. However, how you spend those hours will. Your baby will have needs that must be met, and you'll still need to find time for daily tasks like walking the dog, cooking, and grocery shopping.
Adjusting Priorities and Tasks
Discuss with your partner now what tasks might need to be adjusted. If you have specific roles around the house, be prepared to shift them temporarily.
For instance, if you have a caesarean birth, you may be advised not to lift anything heavier than your baby for up to six weeks, and driving might be off-limits. This could impact your daily routine significantly, so it’s worth arranging for additional help now. Major surgery like a caesarean requires substantial recovery time, so be kind to yourself.
Even with a straightforward labour and birth, your body will need time to recover from the immense task of growing and birthing a baby.
I really like this infographic from Mental Health Utah which is based upon interviews they conducted with parents before birth and 6 months afterwards.
Practical Preparations
Consider practical steps to make your life easier once the baby arrives. Online grocery shopping and batch cooking before the birth can be lifesavers. Know where your nearest late-night pharmacy is, and have support numbers handy, especially for breastfeeding help.
Here are some useful contacts:
NHS Lothian in-person breastfeeding support
NHS Forth Valley breastfeeding support
NCT Feeding Line Helpline: 0300 330 0700 (open 365 days a year, 8am-12 midnight)
Your Wellbeing Matters
Your mental and physical wellbeing are crucial. Just as your baby will need time to adjust to their new environment (the "fourth trimester"), you will need time to adapt too.
In Person Antenatal Courses, Linlithgow, West Lothian
Online Antenatal Workshops
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