Are you anxious and at the same time excited about the birth of your baby, are you actively looking for answers to questions like;

What things do I need to do to prepare for my baby?

How much you should spend when preparing for a baby?

Well having a baby is a great experience every mother is hoping to have, that’s why it’s important to equip yourself with the various knowledge of baby and pregnancy before you get pregnant. If you’re already expecting a baby, wow congrats on your pregnancy journey and it’s not too late for you to follow these steps and start preparing for the birth of your baby.

Preparing for a baby can be exciting as well as draining that’s why as expectant mothers we need to plan for the arrival of our baby. Planning is an effective way to prevent the burnout that comes with childbirth. As you prepare for your baby you should draft down all the necessary things to get available before your baby comes.

Financial planning

Experts say ‘You’re almost guaranteed to waste money on things you don’t need if you don’t start thinking about them now’. 

You don’t need to worry about how much you need to spend when preparing for a baby if you have a financial plan. A financial plan should be drafted the moment you and your partner decided to start having babies. It’s always advisable to make a financial plan earlier, if you haven’t drawn out a plan now is the time to get on with it, so you don’t get too overwhelmed with plenty of expenses. 

You don’t need to empty your accounts when preparing for your baby, first make a financial plan by setting up a new budget especially for your baby, estimating the medical cost in having a baby from medical bills, prenatal care, healthcare provider, the shopping list for baby gear, etc. You don’t want to spend all your income in planning for a baby, so start saving before the due date, ensure your financial plan covers both the baby and the mother, and also don’t forget to include your baby in your health insurance.

Plan a family leave

Preparing for a baby deserves so much attention and dedicated time to plan for your baby, but how can you find the time between work schedules, paying the bills, to create a birth plan, and prepare or even attend childbirth education classes. 

Planning for maternity/paternity leave from work is the perfect option to give you time to prepare for your baby, working out the details can be tricky as most times you have to negotiate your leave with your employer to get a better deal. Most organizations offer unpaid or paid maternity leave, so you must communicate with your employer informing them about your pregnancy and ask about the organization’s policies for maternity leave and get more information before you make a decision.

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Choosing a healthcare provider 

It’s time to pick a pediatrician or a midwife if you have chosen to give birth at home, your baby’s first doctor appointment will come within the baby’s first week of life. So, you will need to choose a licensed physician taking into consideration factors like proximity to your home, to avoid long trips in case an emergency arises. 

You can also ask to interview a pediatrician to verify before you make your choice. Start early so you can give yourself plenty of time to find an appropriate physician who will be a good fit for your baby.

Take childbirth and infant-care classes 

“Taking a course is not a requirement; you’ll get to give birth no matter what,” says Heidi Murkoff, author (What to Expect When You’re Expecting). “It’s just that they call it ‘childbirth preparation’ for a reason: it helps prepare you. It takes the mystery out of it. Information is empowering, and what you don’t know can scare you more than it should.”

It is advisable to make out time to join birth classes once you get pregnant, to learn about the stages of labor, options for pain management, breathing techniques, and medical equipment, that may be used during delivery.

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Decide which childbirth class to take that agrees with your philosophy on giving birth, comfortability, and flexibility in terms of location and convenience. Most hospitals and birthing centers offer such classes for expectant parents, you can also ask friends for guidance.

Shopping for your baby  

Experts say ‘you should only buy the necessary baby kits and items as this will help you save for other important things.

Compile a list of all baby items you need including baby gear, spurning from a stroller, to crib, car seat, mattress, and beddings, or baby carrier, baby bibs, baby feeders, baby clothes, etc. It’s tempting to spend a fortune while shopping for your baby as there are endless varieties of baby items in the market to suit your needs.

You should always consider your finances and baby’s safety when planning to shop for your baby that’s why you need to plan and make a priority list budget for your baby gear. 

Plus, it is easy to buy more than you need or buy the wrong things if you don’t get the right information and plan your baby’s shopping.

Pack your bags

Great! you have gone through all the other processes in planning the birth of your baby don’t forget there’s no telling when your baby will arrive, it could be anytime from up to a week or two before your due date to a week or two after it.

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Having your bags packed earlier will mean that you’ll be ready whenever your baby does decide to put in an appearance, the last thing you will want to worry about when labor starts is packing a bag.

Awesome! you have done a great deal in preparing for the birth of your baby, I bet doing this wasn’t so difficult like you thought. Well don’t let the anxiety of preparing hold you back, what then are you waiting for jump right into this as you await the birth of your baby.

Need more tips on preparing for a baby, shopping for baby kits, getting a nurse or a doctor for your baby? or you want more insights from other expectant mothers, and experts’ advice on how you can best prepare for your baby, you can join a community of expectant mothers and other parents on the Teheca app.

Source; Parents