Its a long way to go before your baby's arrival!
You have probably adjusted well to your first trimester of being pregnant. By the time you approach your second trimester, you should be feeling considerably better, as most pregnant women experience a surge of energy around this time. It’s important to prepare for motherhood now so that you can handle the transition with grace and ease once the baby arrives.
The first few weeks with a baby are the most difficult
It’s a good idea to have someone you trust, such as your mother or mother-in-law, look after you and the baby after your delivery. It may be helpful to hire a professional confinement nanny to help you out around the house for the first month if you don’t have any family or friends nearby. She can assist with cooking and babysitting.
Visit reliable sources to learn more, but remember that it’s always a good idea to check information by doing your own research.
Whether a close friend, a relative, or a professional confinement nanny is helping you out, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries and establish what is expected from each of them. Talk to them about your decision to breastfeed and ask for their support in doing so.
Check out this article and learn more about confinement.
Get your domestic helper ready
If your domestic helper is not a mother, you should take extra care to train and prepare her. If you don’t have any helpers yet and are planning to get one, it’s best to do so at least a few months before your due date so that she can be trained. This will give her a chance to get used to her responsibilities and give you and your family time to acclimate on having her around. By giving everyone a chance to get to know one another beforehand, you can lessen the likelihood of tension and stress in the household once the baby is already here.
Make some work arrangements
You are entitled to 16 weeks of leave for the birth of your child, so be sure to let your employer know as soon as possible. Get in touch with the person or people who will be handling your responsibilities while you’re away so that you can prepare for a seamless handoff. Trying to balance work with a new baby is the last thing you need.
Child care service
If you plan to return to work after your maternity leave ends, you will need to make plans for your child’s care. In general, children under the age of three gain the most from one-on-one engagement with adults. Oftentimes, when moms need assistance, they go to their own families, whether it be their own parents or in-laws.
Several daycare centers provide care for infants between the ages of two and eighteen months, making it possible for parents who need it to get center-based care. Another option is to find a reliable babysitter who will come to your home.
If you’re looking at day care options, the place where your child will spend his or her days should be a safe, joyful, and caring place. Find centers in your area and check them out to learn about their services, educators, programs, safety measures, and sanitary standards. That way, you can pick the right center.
Check out this article to learn more about child care centers.
You should also think about your older child’s future care needs if you are now his primary caretaker. It’s best to ease him into his new care setting a few months before your baby is born, so he doesn’t feel like you’re abandoning him with strangers just because you’re having another child. You’ll both benefit from having sufficient time to acclimatize to the new situation if you do this. Get a head start on figuring out how you’ll get reliable child care and always have a backup plan in place.
Getting ready for your baby’s arrival
It’s natural to feel anxious as your due date approaches.
This means that the actions you take in the weeks leading up to the birth are crucial. Taking the time to get ready for labor and the arrival of the baby ahead of time can alleviate a lot of anxiety during the actual labor process.
The best way to have a smooth labor is to be as calm as possible and prepared, so that when the time comes, you can focus more on your little one without getting stressed about other things.