Even the concept of beginning to plan a family can be extremely exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. If you and your partner have decided to start a family, there are some things you can do now to make the process of pregnancy and the early transition into parenthood easier. For things to consider when starting a family, read on.
1. Have a plan in place in case something goes wrong.
While birth injuries, birth defects, and problems in the delivery process due to a doctor’s negligence are rare, they can happen. If you are considering planning a family, you’ll want to be ready for the birth process in every way. The same way you’ll want to research the best doctor for childbirth and prenatal care, it’s important to have the name of a good birth injury attorney in your contacts in the rare event that you or your child suffer a serious injury during a cesarean section or vaginal birth.
Maybe you live in Chicago and already know a good Chicago birth injury attorney who’d be able to help you with a birth injury case involving brain damage, shoulder dystocia, Erb’s palsy, or a complication of preeclampsia. Having this number on hand during your pregnancy, the prenatal process, or in the event that you suspect medical errors will be a good idea. The reality is that if you or your child suffer an injury due to a doctor’s negligence, you’ll want to be prepared. A birth injury attorney can help with complications of fetal distress, umbilical cord accidents and more birth injuries when it comes to trying to get a favorable verdict that will mean fair compensation and financial peace of mind in the future.
2. Find the best doctors for you.
The same way you’ll want the name of an experienced birth injury attorney on hand when planning a family, it’s important to do your research when it comes to healthcare providers. Perhaps you’re someone who’s a cancer survivor and had great luck with a Google search like ‘top oncologist near me‘ to find a fantastic oncologist. You’ll want to do the same when it comes to a doctor you trust for medical care during the delivery process.
You can reduce the chances of common birth injuries by taking the time to research doctors with qualifications in high risk pregnancies, cesarean section births and more. If you have a pre-existing medical condition and are considering getting pregnant, you’ll want to look for doctors who are familiar with possible complications during your pregnancy. Finding an attending physician who can help decrease the chance of accidents and birth injuries during the delivery process will help with any anxiety you may be experiencing when it comes to starting a family.
3. Locate a support group and resources ahead of time.
As a new parent, it’s normal to have questions about things like symptoms of pregnancy, whether to use a midwife, and baby milestones every step of the way. A fantastic resource that includes information on baby and mother’s health is Truly Mama (trulymama.com). Here, you can learn about the latest trends in baby products and parenting and get in touch with other mothers looking for the best care for themselves and their babies. By spending some time on Truly Mama now, you’ll know where to go when you have questions down the road, no matter the scenario.
A great way to learn about parenting, the best care for a newborn baby, where to buy diapers, and common pregnancy issues like high blood pressure, is to join a local support group for new parents. These groups include people who will have compassion for the sleepless nights ahead and great suggestions for things to make parenting both more affordable and easier. A great place for making new friends, lining up future play dates and more, new parent support groups can be an invaluable tool when planning to expand your family.
4. Catch up on appointments before pregnancy.
Long before you go into labor or even enter motherhood, you’ll want to consider taking care of regular appointments. If you’ve put off a dentist visit, for example, you’ll want to get back on track before your pregnancy. Ideally, being on top of appointments like the dentist, eye doctor, and other healthcare professionals you see regularly will be a great way to get in the habit of the regular appointments you’ll soon be making with your gynecologist.
Many mothers make the mistake of putting their own needs and medical conditions on hold to focus on the new arrival. This is a mistake. If you’re planning to be a new mom and to expand your family through pregnancy, it’s important to understand that you’ll be carrying your baby in your womb, which means that your health needs to be a priority, too. Catch up on those regular check-ups and screenings now to give your baby and self better odds for a successful pregnancy.
5. Get your finances in order.
Bad credit can make parenting hard. Before having a baby, it’s important to tie up loose ends with financial paperwork, real estate loans, and more. Do what you can to maintain a high credit score before entering motherhood or agreeing to have a baby with your partner. Maybe you have a fix and flip loan, unpaid medical expenses, or a conventional mortgage with monthly payments to manage. Taking a second look on where you can save money, consolidate and refinance, or try different things to increase your cashflow and credit score will be helpful to your future.
In the end, by the time your baby comes, you’ll have realized that there’s no exact right plan to get you from step A to B when planning a family. You’ll run into bumps and twists along the way. By doing what you can to plan ahead of time, getting appointments out of the way, organizing your life, and getting your finances in order, you’ll be in the best position possible to juggle the next chapters as a new parent. As you move toward family planning, remember to take time to engage in activities of self-care. With sleepless nights ahead for first-time and experienced parents alike on the horizon, the more rested you go into this next transition, the more smoothly your new baby’s welcome will be. Congratulations on your decision to consider adding to your family, and good luck on your adoption, surrogacy, or delivery!
