Here is a little helper tool for making the decision about which baby bassinets and bedside sleepers are right for you.

Doulas are a nice option, but they do not replace knowledge. The more you know about the whole process of labour and delivery the greater your chance of having the birth experience you are hoping for. You may want to have a “natural childbirth”, in the sense that you think you do not want to have an epidural, or any other types of pain medication. Unless you are very aware of the different phases of labour and delivery and have some pain coping mechanisms already learned you will likely end up with the epidural.

Knowledge empowers you to be in control and to be able to make informed decisions about how your labor and delivery will progress.  I highly recommend that you attend a birth preparation class either at the place you are planning to give birth or though an online childbirth class.  Most hospitals offer some type of pre birth preparation class. Call yours for details.

While almost every doctor gives you a copy of What to Expect When You Are Expecting, they should give you a copy of the doctor’s Sears Birth Book. The Birth Book covers so much more about labour and delivery. They detail the different phases you will go through, coach on coping methods and talk about writing a birth plan.  Half the battle sometimes is going through an exercise in your mind first. If you can visualize what you expect, often you will find that that is what  you will get. Just putting down on paper all of the details you expect for your labour and delivery could help you crystallize in your mind who you expect the event to go. You do need to be adaptable though, emergencies do happen. In the end a “natural childbirth” is a birth where you have a child in your arms when all is said and done.

If you have been trying to get pregnant and are finally successful you are in shock. If you have not been trying to get pregnant and find out you are pregnant, you are in shock!  After a couple of days of being stunned you will settle into pregnancy. You start to remember you are pregnant, or your body reminds you ever so subtly as you are experiencing morning sickness in the morning, mid afternoon, evening and night. Pretty much anytime there is a wave of smells or food is present.

Now is the time to consider how all that you eat, the kind of exercise you get daily and how you are going to add those extra hours of sleep your body requires to grow this new little being.

Folic acid is an important mineral you need to make sure that you get enough of during the beginning part of your pregnancy. Conveniently it comes in most sugary cereals! You can also get it in orange juice and pregnancy vitamins.  If you are having trouble taking the vitamins, you might try children’s chewables. Pregnancy vitamins are the best, but sometimes something is better than nothing. Try to make sure you are getting the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D (they work together).

Ginger may be your new best friend.  It works wonders to settle upset stomachs.  My personal favorite is salt and vinegar potato chips and a nice cold ginger ale. You can make tea from ginger root to be taken hot or cold. Cinnamon is also known to help in the end morning sickness now department.

Exercise in moderation can help boost your stamina. Any type of stretching like yoga will get your blood flowing without over stressing your body. Walking is another good exercise. It is important to keep your body in shape during your pregnancy as labour and delivery are seriously strenuous.

The most fun comes when you get to tell others “I just found out I’m pregnant”. Be happy. Children really are a blessing.