Prepare for the birth of your first child. How to prepare your home for a baby. From theory to practice

Preparing for the birth of a child is a very difficult and at the same time interesting process that has many aspects. Today, expectant mothers do not lack information about pregnancy and upcoming births, however, obstetricians claim that they see only a few truly prepared women in labor. Doctors associate this phenomenon with a certain one-sidedness in preparing women for the birth of a child. Information is given in such a way that pregnant women often find it even unnecessarily disturbing. Some admit on the forums that in the end everything turned out to be completely different than what was presented in the courses.

If you want to become a mother of a healthy baby, then you should think about how to prepare for the birth of a child long before the cherished two strips appear on the test. A similar approach is practiced by rare mothers, but it is he, as practice shows, that becomes the most faithful and justified option of all possible. Today we will analyze when to start preparing for the birth of a child, what aspects of this process are most important and how to avoid the main mistakes that almost all expectant mothers tend to make.

Initial stage of preparation

Experts never argue about how much it takes to prepare for the birth of a child. They are unanimous in their opinion - the expectant mother should plan her pregnancy and prepare for it at least six months in advance. Better if she has a year left. Of course, many of our readers who are already in a position will say that it is too late for them to read this section. Perhaps they are right. But for those women who are just thinking about replenishing the family, this material will come in handy.

If you want to give birth to a healthy child, preparing for the birth of this miracle must begin with the compilation of a certain list. It must include all aspects of training and strictly follow certain rules. It is not difficult to compile such a list, we offer its approximate version, and you can make your additions in the form of a few points. So, how to prepare for the birth of a child in advance:

• physical readiness;
• normalization of weight;
• strengthening immunity;
• medical examinations;
• the material side of the issue.

Note that we do not focus readers' attention on the baby's father. Since it is most likely that during a planned pregnancy, a caring and attentive man is next to the woman, equally ready to share with her all the responsibility for the life of the future little man.

Let's now analyze all the items on the list in more detail. Physical activity comes first, and for good reason. The fact that pregnancy and childbirth are a huge test for the body is said everywhere today. Therefore, it is important that a woman is well prepared for the upcoming tests physically. This will help her feel good for all nine months, give birth easier and get back in good shape faster after. How to prepare for the birth of a child physically? Naturally, it is easier to do this in advance.

Start by purchasing a subscription to the sports center. Let the first load be small - swim in the pool, walk on the treadmill or work out on the simulators. Over time, you will notice that your body has become stronger and you are ready for more serious activities. They can be absolutely anything, but it is better that the load is varied. Keep swimming, master yoga, start strength training with a personal trainer, and so on. Thanks to this approach, your body will be fully prepared for the upcoming bearing of the baby. Believe me, you will never regret the money spent during this period.

Now let's talk about the normalization of weight. Some women who have problems with him believe that getting in shape before pregnancy is a thankless job. Indeed, according to the majority, it is considered the norm to get better while carrying crumbs up to twenty kilograms, which means that you can afford to eat anything before conception. If you think so too, then you are absolutely wrong.

Excess weight increases the risk of not bearing a baby and reduces the chances of conception. Very often, women who have not taken care of bringing themselves into shape acquire a lot of diseases during pregnancy and often they have to go to the hospital for preservation. Therefore, do not treat the problem of excess weight connivingly, especially since women who do not have extra pounds give birth faster and easier. Do not forget that taking care of your figure even before the conception of a baby forms the right taste habits that will positively affect the development of the fetus.

It's no secret that for nine months in the womb, a baby from her body draws a huge amount of vitamins, trace elements and other substances necessary for his health. Therefore, the mother, even before conception, must create stocks of all of the listed components. Usually, women do this by taking multivitamin complexes, calcium preparations, and separately vitamins C and E. Thanks to this, the immunity of the future mother also rises, which can easily resist colds and flu epidemics.

If you ask a doctor about how to prepare for the birth of a child, he will definitely recommend paying a lot of attention to medical examinations. A woman planning a pregnancy needs to go through all the doctors and pass tests to identify various infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Many expectant mothers are not even aware that they need treatment, and they find out about it already when they are pregnant. And at this time, the possibilities of physicians are extremely limited.

And at the end of the section I would like to talk about material preparation. Of course, each person's concepts of financial stability and prosperity are different. But still, when planning a replenishment in the family, be prepared for numerous expenses. They concern not only the conduct of pregnancy and the purchase of a dowry for the baby. For many parents, preparing for the birth of a child includes major repairs in the apartment, and often the purchase of a new home. If your living conditions are not too good, then think about improving them. After all, during pregnancy it will be too late to do this, and expectant mothers are not recommended to think about problems.

Four directions of the preparatory process

When you need to start preparing for the birth of a child, we have already figured out. But if the previous section is not relevant for you, since you are already pregnant, then this does not mean at all that you can relax. After all, women who feel a new life in themselves begin to worry even more about how to prepare for the birth of a child. And here they need to focus on four aspects of this process:

1. Informing. Future mothers (and often fathers) should have a clear understanding of the physiology of childbirth, documents regulating the work of the institution where their child will be born, as well as all the manipulations that are performed in the hospital with newborns. Thanks to their knowledge, women feel more confident and get rid of a large number of fears.
2. The right side of the issue. Most of the future women in labor have no idea about their rights, social benefits provided by the state, the legal aspects of drawing up an agreement with the maternity hospital and other nuances. All this often causes nervousness in a pregnant woman and does not allow her to enjoy her position.
3. Recovery. Even if you played sports before pregnancy, do not assume that physical activity is not for you now. For women who feel well and do not have any contraindications, doctors strongly recommend that physical exercises be included in the daily routine. Of course, they should be taking into account the position of the girl. Many expectant mothers enjoy swimming in the pool, doing yoga and mastering breathing techniques.
4. Psychological preparation for the birth of a child. Many obstetricians consider this aspect to be the most important, because the health of the child and how the birth will proceed depends on the mood of the woman and her emotional state. For more than a year, experts have been saying that pregnant women who attended special courses and were interested in information on how to psychologically prepare for the birth of a child gave birth to healthy babies and did not receive any injuries themselves in the process.

A woman who was able to pay attention to all of the above aspects during pregnancy will lead more healthy lifestyle life, gain self-confidence, and many even completely change their worldview. In any case, the answer to the question of how to prepare for the birth of a child allows the future mother to approach the most important day of her life emotionally and physically prepared, healthy and with a sense of inner harmony. But some women, carried away by this process, make a number of offensive mistakes.

False strategies in preparing for childbirth

So, imagine that you have to prepare for the birth of a child. What you need for this can be found in any antenatal clinic. However, having plunged into the study of new information, women begin to try on certain roles or choose behaviors that ultimately do not give the desired result. We will briefly describe them, and you try to honestly look at yourself from the outside - perhaps the same mistakes are common to you.

Most often among expectant mothers there is an "excellent student syndrome". The woman turns into a kind of schoolgirl, diligently completing all the tasks. Such pregnant women always visit a doctor on time, special courses and are a storehouse of information about childbirth. However, they perceive this process as a kind of exam, which must be approached with all the tickets learned. Women with this syndrome are sure that with their diligence they will literally deserve a successful outcome of childbirth without complications and other problems. They are captivated by the process itself and the peculiarities of how to prepare for a child's birthday, but at the same time they are absolutely not ready for reality.

The rose-colored glasses strategy is unknowingly chosen by many expectant mothers. Doctors consider her one of the most dangerous for a woman and her child. Since during all nine months the pregnant woman ignores any important information, recommendations of doctors and even possible complications. The woman is sure that all this is nonsense and in fact she will be fine. Simply because it cannot be otherwise. Unfortunately, during childbirth, such expectant mothers often panic and interfere with the work of doctors.

The "ostrich" strategy is also very common, to the displeasure of doctors. Having chosen it, women do not even think about when to start preparing for the birth of a child, as they experience genuine fear of this process. They are frightened by everything connected with the upcoming birth and they try to completely forget about this important event. Such future mothers usually end up in the nearest maternity hospital with contractions, sometimes not even having an exchange card in their hands. What they need to prepare for the birth of a child, they are told by a doctor from the duty team, since they do not know anything about this side of their situation.

Excessive zeal in preparing for the birth of a baby is also not a factor that ensures a successful outcome. Psychologists often call such mothers "bodybuilders." They enthusiastically go in for sports, train the muscles of the pelvic floor, as they heard from experts that this will help the baby to pass through the birth canal. Such mothers can spend hours in the pool to make their baby more comfortable. And in terms of informative preparation, they can give odds to any obstetrician. A female “bodybuilder” daily “hangs” on the forums and reads any information that seems important to her. From the outside, this approach seems right, but experts do not see any advantages in it. They note that excessive physical activity leads to muscle spasms during childbirth and prevents the baby from being born. And an excess of information does not allow synthesizing a number of hormones in the cerebral cortex necessary for the successful course of the birth process.

There are pregnant women who choose a control strategy. They are not interested in forums, but prefer serious scientific literature. Women read textbooks on obstetrics and publications of eminent professors, so they try to control their pregnancy from start to finish. They literally make a schedule of what and when should happen to them. Even the birth itself, they want to go according to plan, not realizing that this is a natural process in which it is important to relax and obey your body.

The wrong preparation strategies include focusing on external paraphernalia. A list of what is needed in preparation for the birth of a child, such mothers make up almost immediately after a visit to the doctor. Periodically it is updated with new items. From the outside it seems that such pregnant women are simply an inexhaustible source of energy. They have time to visit all maternity hospitals to choose the best one, study the biography of obstetricians and enter into an agreement only with the most professional of them. In addition, they are able to travel most of the children's stores in search of certain things or toys. Many relatives and friends admire such an energetic future mother, but in fact she is very tired of her activities. Behind all the external, sometimes unnecessary fuss, a woman forgets about the emotional side of her condition. She does not think about how to mentally prepare for the birth of a child, and misses many important points related to pregnancy.

Doctors believe that one of the most dangerous strategies is the adherence of a pregnant woman to certain dogmas. Based on fashion trends or someone's recommendations, she develops a detailed scenario for future childbirth. It can be water, home birth or the participation of a certain doctor in them. In nine months, the chosen scenario becomes clearer, and the woman is ready to follow only him. Psychologically, she is not ready for changes that are quite likely. If this happens, then the woman falls into a deep depression, which interferes with recovery after childbirth.

Psychological preparation for the birth of a child: features and nuances

Earlier, we listed four important aspects of preparing for the birth of a baby. The simplest of them can be considered informational and legal. It is not difficult to obtain the necessary information from the Internet and specialized directories, but I would like to dwell on other aspects in more detail.

How to mentally prepare for the birth of a child? Almost all future mothers think about this to one degree or another. And this is not surprising, because despite the fact that during pregnancy miraculous transformations occur with a woman, during this period she is subject to fears and emotionally unstable due to hormonal changes in the body.

Most often, expectant mothers face mood swings, fear for the life of their baby and fear of childbirth, as well as a reassessment of values. The last nuance brings its own set of anxieties into the life of a woman, such as fears of not becoming a good mother, and so on. In order to psychologically prepare for the birth of a baby, you need to clearly understand which phobias were imposed or borrowed, and which ones are generated by your consciousness. This can be done through communication. Do not withdraw into yourself and spend more time with people who are close and pleasant to you.

It is very important for psychological preparation to attend courses. According to the peculiarities of the course of your pregnancy and the fears you have, you can choose a specific course that will help you cope with internal problems.

Don't forget about visualization. Set a goal within yourself - to give birth to a healthy and beautiful baby. Often imagine how it will be, how you will see each other for the first time and what emotions it will cause. Over time, fears will fade into the background, and a feeling of joy will arise inside at any thought about a child and childbirth.

Information will help dispel all worries. Usually women are afraid of everything unknown, because preparation for the birth of a second child usually goes easier and simpler, since a woman already knows exactly what will happen to her. Therefore, study the literature on pregnancy and childbirth. But try to give preference to books where the text is written with a bit of humor by those authors who have a positive experience of motherhood.

Physiological preparation

If your baby is planned, then most likely you spent a lot of time on your physical condition in the process of preparing for conception. During pregnancy, this should not be forgotten either, and for women who previously led a sedentary lifestyle, their new position should be the reason for introducing a number of exercises into the daily routine.

First of all, pregnant women are shown walking. They strengthen muscle tone and help boost immunity. In addition, fresh air is very useful for the child.

At any stage of pregnancy, you can do special exercises. There are a lot of similar gymnastic complexes, but doctors advise to practice only in groups. An experienced specialist will be able to assess what kind of load you can give without harm to health. A properly selected complex helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system, the harmonious development of the baby, reduces the risk of complications during childbirth and shortens the recovery period after them.

Massage and breathing exercises: is it necessary to conduct such sessions

Imagine that you are in full swing preparing for the birth of a child. What do pregnant women need to know about massage? There are many rumors about this procedure, and some women even claim that massage is harmful to expectant mothers and leads to miscarriage. Obstetricians are ready to debunk all the myths and confidently talk about the benefits of massage for pregnant women. It relieves muscle tension and clamps, pain, reduces swelling and improves mood. However, it should be borne in mind that the procedure for expectant mothers should exclude pressure and kneading, and be done while sitting or lying on your side.

Few mothers pay due attention to breathing exercises. But her techniques help not only during childbirth, relieving pain, but also during pregnancy. In the last trimester, women often complain of shortness of breath and breathing problems, which is extremely harmful for the baby, depriving him of the necessary amount of oxygen. Therefore, breathing exercises are one of the best helpers for women in preparation for childbirth and should not be neglected.

Choosing a doctor and maternity hospital

Today, pregnant women can choose not only but also the doctor who will take delivery from them. Therefore, preparation for the birth of a baby is accompanied by a painful search for the best place and specialist.

Most women prefer to conclude a service agreement with a medical institution in advance in order to be calm about their health and conditions in the hospital. Most often, the selection criteria are the following characteristics:

• conditions in the prenatal, maternity and postnatal departments;

Whether it will be a separate room or part of yours, the main thing is that this is his place. After returning from the hospital, you will be tired, and first of all you will want to take care of yourself and the baby, so it is better to prepare everything now.

Only for him

Whatever location you choose, it should be well ventilated, well-lit, and easily accessible. The crib or cradle should be located away from the window and heating. The optimum temperature in the room is + 17-19 ° C, so it should not be under the roof or on the sunny side.

Peace of mind first. So that the child is not too disturbed by external sounds (beeps, siren), make sure that the windows, if possible, face the quiet side. To avoid exposing it to indoor noise, move the TV and stereo set away.

If you are afraid of not hearing your child when you are far away, you can use a special device that allows you to hear him from a distance.

Functionality and comfort. Having decided on the place, you can start arranging and decorating the room with the whole family (leave painting and carpeting for your husband).

Choose light materials: wallpaper, tiles, plastic panels, parquet. If the room is cool, carpets and carpeted furniture will serve as additional thermal insulation. However, they will have to be abandoned if someone in the family suffers from allergies.

When decorating a room, do not forget that the child is especially susceptible to contrasts and changes. He may not notice the print on the wallpaper or the color of the walls, but he will be happy to watch the interchangeable pictures. If you plan to keep the wallpaper for several years, choose cheerful and delicate colors with modest patterns.

If you decide not to find out the gender of the child in advance, choose neutral colors that are suitable for both a girl and a boy.

Light and illumination. You can choose any kind of curtains or curtains, but do not forget that their ability to transmit light is very important: your baby has entered a new environment for himself. He is still learning to recognize where is the day and where is the night - the change in the time of day outside the window will help him navigate. Curtains look more comfortable. Make them double if there are no shutters on the windows.

While the child is very young, it is good to put a table lamp with a regulator and another small lamp on the changing table. Later you can adapt the lighting to different types child's activities: when he plays or gets ready for bed.

Safety First

To secure a place for the child, you need to think about those things that he can accidentally touch (the curtain from the cradle) and which can interfere with him. No need to hang shelves above the bed or put a lamp next to it. Moreover, do not put the bed next to the curtains: the baby will very quickly learn to grab onto them.

Pay attention to the bed and mattress. If you decide to purchase a crib with railings for your baby, first choose a cradle for the first months. Make sure that the sides are high enough so that they do not fall.

Pay attention to the quality of the mattress. It must exactly fit the size of the bed or cradle so that there is no extra space around it. It should be sufficiently dense and rigid, smooth, without recesses and tubercles.

With the deadline approaching, you can give yourself pleasure by preparing a room for the baby.

Household fever

• This period of preparation and shopping is often accompanied by a desire not only to constantly put in order and clean the room, but also to wash the surfaces of cabinets, penetrate into the most distant corners, redo the furnishings in the rooms ...
• This can bring a smile from those around you. However, your desire to clean up is justified: when the baby is born, you will have neither the desire nor the time to play the fairy of cleanliness.
• Many women know these impulses, which sometimes reach insanity. This is natural: the mother wants to make sure that she has done everything possible to prepare well for the arrival of the child in the home.
• This desire may be a reflection of some of the fears that appear as the deadline approaches.

Name choice

• Here is a task that occupies your thoughts and is an occasion for discussion.
• One thing is clear: the choice depends only on you and your partner (your tastes, family traditions and cultural influences).
• There are also some underwater reefs: beware of popular names that will soon go out of style (once at school, you run the risk of meeting five people with the same "rare" name).
• Think about the compatibility of the name and your last name.
• If you are not sure, wait until the baby is born. Surrounding all this time will wonder what you will call him.
• Please note that you may be refused registration of a name if a municipality official finds it too strange.

Think about it ahead of time

Household help. In France, a young mother can get help with housework free of charge - for this she needs to contact the mayor's office for information. Relatives usually help our compatriots. The services of a paid housekeeper are also popular.

Midwife at home. You can ask the midwife to come to your home; her help may be needed immediately after childbirth during the period of regulation of lactation. This process is not always well established by the time you leave the hospital, and her help can really help you.

You can also find a kinesitherapist or an experienced babysitter in advance who will teach you how to properly handle a child.

Find a pediatrician. Before the maternity hospital, you can find a good pediatrician or pediatrician in advance who will monitor the health of the child immediately after birth. You will be able to count on him in case of an emergency leg call. "Word of mouth" in this case - The best way find a good specialist. Feel free to ask for recommendations from people around you (friends, acquaintances, doctors).

From purchases to invitations

After returning from the hospital, you will not have time to shop. Take care of some purchases now: diapers, hygiene products for your baby, everything you need - you can prepare a lot before the birth.

It is worth stocking up on food in advance: mineral water, milk, some canned food.

Fast food, frozen mixes for soups and second courses will help you “hold on” for the first time.

You can think of your friends and relatives. Make a list of people you want to tell about a happy event in your family. After giving birth, this list will be useful to you or your husband, especially if it contains the contacts of the people you call or send SMS.

You may want to notify someone by letter or telegram.

You can order the master or make your own cute postcards. Now handmade printing is very popular.

The birth of a baby and the first months with him is a very important and touching moment in your life. When all the worries associated with childbirth are behind you, you will want to share your joy with others.

Think about your comfort

The moment of dressing up is a special moment, full of tenderness and harmony with the baby. You laugh and kiss him ... But sometimes the child does not want to lie still and is capricious - such situations can be a little nervous. In no case should you leave him alone on the changing table.

For changing clothes

Install it in a way that suits you. The changing table can stand in the room or in the bathroom. The main thing is that you have the opportunity to keep an eye on him, and all the necessary items are at your fingertips: diapers, cream, saline, cotton wool, etc. There is special furniture for these needs, you only need to put a changing mattress on it and put all the necessary things nearby. You can use any table that's a comfortable height so you don't lean too far while changing (you'll have to do this every day for a year!).

Other things

You have purchased a bed, a changing table, meanwhile it is time to think about other things (where to bathe him, what to feed him, what to take him out for a walk). The list of things you need can be long: a baby stroller, a stroller, a car seat, a baby carrier, a baby chair, a bathtub, a camp bed.

Some things may be given or loaned to you; buy what you like. These items are quite expensive; some of them (car seat) can be bought at a thrift store or online.

Packing things for the hospital

It's pointless to pack your bags when you're 4 months pregnant. At the same time, you should not wait until the last minute to start getting ready for the hospital. What if labor comes at the beginning of the 9th month? Here are the things you will need during childbirth and your stay in the hospital.

For day "X"

For you. Prepare a separate bag in which you put a loose T-shirt or loose shirt (you should feel completely free), hair tie (if it is long), a spray bottle, a bottle of water. You can take a player or radio with you to brighten up the long hours of waiting by listening to music.

For baby. Take small towels with you (to wrap it right after birth, wipe it off and put it on you). The baby will be completely wet, and it must be wiped immediately so that he does not catch a cold. Then do not forget pajamas, undershirts (light or warm, depending on the season) and a hat made of cotton or wool. Give preference to natural fabrics and take with you, if possible, children's clothes for the first time.

The dad-to-be should not dress too warmly - it's always hot in the delivery rooms - have money in his pocket to buy something to drink, eat and read, as the wait can be very long.

Mom's stay in the hospital

Bring a roomy T-shirt or nightgown (which opens well at the front for feeding), a bathrobe and soft slippers. Do not forget also a nursing bra, panties (you can use disposable or mesh, the main thing is that they are comfortable!).

From toiletries, take napkins (plain and special hygienic), add a hair dryer and handkerchiefs to your usual items.

At home, prepare in advance the spacious clothes that your husband will bring on the day of discharge from the hospital.

For a child

A newborn baby will need one bodysuit or pajamas per day (if someone can wash clothes for you), soft undershirts, two pairs of socks and knitted slippers, a cotton or fine wool cap, a bib, a newborn sling and a day suit.

Take two small blankets (there are usually only blankets in the hospital), a toy to put in the crib, and toilet paper or paper towels.

Do not forget the things necessary for the baby: body milk, oil, cotton wool and a thermometer. Often maternity hospitals give out a list of what they have in advance.

For practical purposes, it will be better if you have a separate bag for the things of the newborn.

ATTENTION!

Think official documents!

When you go to the hospital, take your marriage certificate, medical card, insurance certificate, additional health insurance card.

What to take with you to the hospital?

• Watch to control the frequency and duration of contractions and develop a regimen for the baby.
• A pencil and a notebook to write down the time of awakening, wakefulness and feeding, questions and answers about your health and the well-being of the baby - this will be a kind of reminder. It can also serve as your little personal diary.
• List of phone numbers of people you may need.
• A separate pillow for your comfort.
• A camera to take pictures of the baby, even when dad is not around.
• Bring along something to pamper yourself: fruits (dry or fresh), your favorite cakes and drinks (tea...). In the hospital, food will not always meet your exacting taste.
• A baby care book where you can find information on how to take care of your baby and what to do in the first weeks of life.

A few decades ago, almost no one thought about planning a pregnancy. The couple simply stopped using contraception and waited for the onset of pregnancy. Today, everyone understands that this is not enough to conceive and give birth to a healthy child.

Many couples decide to have children already at a fairly mature age, often after 30 years, when stable housing and financial conditions have been created for the appearance of a new family member. But along with material well-being come potential health problems accumulated over previous years. According to statistics, the older the parents, the higher the risk of conceiving and having children with developmental problems or anomalies. About 45% of women and 40% of men are infertile, and 15% of couples experience some form of infertility. Approximately 10% of couples have immunological incompatibility, which also leads to problems with conception. Therefore, in order to protect the family from such problems as much as possible, pregnancy planning is actively developing today.

The main goals of planning are:

• increasing the level of fertility of both future parents;
• conducting a full examination of a woman, and, if necessary, a future father;
• detection and treatment of pathologies potentially dangerous for the health of the unborn child;
• lifestyle changes and a number of activities aimed at psychological preparation.

Couples who are planning a pregnancy will be right to prepare for this important event. But this, of course, does not mean that an unplanned pregnancy will not be healthy and prosperous. Just in this case, you should register with a doctor on time and follow all his recommendations.

Stages of pregnancy planning

So, you have a desire to become parents. Where should you start planning? First of all, experts recommend the story:

• Improvement of future parents with a full medical examination. If you find health problems that can interfere with conception, pregnancy, childbirth, try to eliminate them.
• Preparation of a woman's body for a full pregnancy, and a man's body for conception.

The body of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding will experience increased stress. This will require strength and health. Expectant mom and dad should for this time at least temporarily give up bad habits, avoid stressful situations and exhausting loads. If necessary, the doctor will recommend drugs to increase the fertility of both partners.

The conception process itself will be a special time for the couple. Many mistakenly believe that pregnancy should occur immediately after giving up contraception. In fact, doctors consider a period of six months to a year to be normal (especially if hormonal contraception was previously used).

The usual preparation scheme includes approximately three months before the “active planning” stage, and several cycles during which pregnancy usually occurs. In some cases, the duration of planning may increase due to circumstances and health conditions.

Improvement of future parents

Even if you do not like to visit a doctor, and consider yourself absolutely healthy, you need to spend time and effort on the examination. For a woman, the first step should be a trip to the gynecologist. The doctor will carefully study the woman's history - ask about previous pregnancies, abortions, childbirth, menstruation, methods of contraception, past illnesses and problems in the female part; perform a seat inspection. This is necessary to assess the structure and functioning of the reproductive organs, to exclude pathologies of the cervix, uterine body and ovaries.

In addition, the doctor will issue a list of tests necessary to determine the state of health. These include:

• blood test for blood type and Rh factor
• blood test for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis
• smears and blood tests by PCR to detect sexually transmitted infections and latent infections (viral and microbial).

If necessary, the range of tests can be expanded by tests for hormone levels, antibodies to certain infections, biochemical blood and urine tests, blood tests for glucose, coagulation, smears for oncocytology and bacteriological culture.

It is also useful to visit a therapist for a general comprehensive assessment of the state of health. If he finds any deviations, he will appoint additional visits to narrow specialists, in the presence of chronic pathology, he will develop a course of treatment to prevent relapses during pregnancy.

Visits to the ENT doctor, dentist are also shown. If there are problems with the thyroid gland, weight or reproductive organs, a visit to the endocrinologist is necessary. And couples over 30 years old or with unfavorable heredity should visit genetics. Medical genetic counseling is especially important for:

• the presence in the family of hereditary diseases, children with malformations
• parents over 35 years of age
• having problems with pregnancy in the past
• presence of consanguinity
• the presence of chronic and endocrine pathologies.

Additionally, an ECG, fluorography, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, analysis for TORCH infections (they can give fetal defects) can be prescribed. If narrow specialists have identified any deviations in the state of health, additional examinations and treatment, consultations with other specialists may be recommended.

What's next?

With the results of all examinations and a conclusion about the state of health, you will meet with the gynecologist again. He may recommend vaccinations against rubella (if you did not have it as a child) and hepatitis B three months before conception, as well as vaccinations for tetanus and diphtheria, and flu.

Your doctor may prescribe a schedule for you basal body temperature to track ovulation and identify the most auspicious days for conception. Also, if there was a reception of potent drugs, the doctor will indicate the period after which conception will be safe.

It is important to switch to a balanced and healthy diet with the rejection of fast food and store-bought convenience foods, an increase in protein and fresh foods in the diet, a decrease in the amount of carbohydrates, especially simple and fats, and a reduction in spicy, fried and pickled foods to a minimum. All products must be natural, fresh and wholesome. No diets and dietary restrictions are shown when planning pregnancy; you should not lose weight drastically.

It is important to provide the body with the intake of minerals and vitamins through nutrition. But usually, already at the planning stage, doctors recommend special complexes to replenish the deficiency of vitamins and minerals. First of all, this is taking folic acid (at least three months before conception) and vitamins A and E (the first ten days of the cycle for a course of three months), taking iron and iodine supplements, or prescribing a full-fledged multivitamin complex, both for the wife and husband .

An important point - before conception

With a standard cycle of 28 days, the most successful time for conception is the beginning of the third week, approximately 14-16 days from the first day of menstruation. To increase the likelihood of conception, it is recommended to refrain from intimacy for a couple of days before the estimated date.

A man should give up baths and hot baths, drinking alcohol, as all this significantly reduces sperm activity for about three days. You should also give up coffee and cigarettes.

A woman should not douche before conception, so as not to disturb the acidity of the vagina and increase the chances of sperm entering the uterus and tubes. After intercourse, it is useful for a woman to lie on her back, lifting the lumbar region with a pillow.

Naturally, the most important thing should be the psychological attitude, your desire. You should not get hung up on the first failure - according to doctors, pregnancy usually occurs within 4 to 12 months from the start of unprotected intimate life.

Photo - photobank Lori

Expecting a second child is a great joy for parents, but a lot of stress for the first baby. What problems may arise with an older child, how to overcome them and prepare the first-born for the appearance of a brother or sister, I am the Parent will tell.

According to the data of the Public Opinion Foundation, 85% of Russians surveyed consider brothers and sisters the closest people, and 86% answered that they had an excellent relationship in childhood. And only 13% admit that they always got along badly with younger family members. However, to some extent inevitable. Therefore, it is worth preparing the first-born for the appearance of a brother or sister in advance, they believe.

What should parents prepare for?

The main problem that parents face is. His feelings are quite understandable - before the birth of the youngest, all the attention of adults belonged to him, and now the baby is very worried about the loss. After all, at first the whole life of the family revolves around a newborn who needs maximum care.

Children under three years old, as a rule, openly express their displeasure: they can offend the baby, call names, be capricious, and disobey. And an older child may begin to behave like a small one: stop asking to go to the toilet, not eat and not dress on their own. Schoolchildren usually hide their emotions: their experiences manifest themselves in the form of a decline in school performance, causeless conflicts with classmates and teachers.

How to avoid the jealousy of an older child? Our experts have prepared nine recommendations for those who are planning to become parents for the second time.

9 Rules for Preparing Your First Child for the Birth of a Brother or Sister

1. Inform your child about the arrival of the baby in advance

The child should be told about the replenishment of the family to the parents, and not to other adults. It is better to inform him about the joyful event at about the third month of pregnancy, so that he has time to get used to the changes in his life.

2. Discuss with your first child what will happen after the birth of a brother or sister.

The expected birth of the baby should be discussed with the child. Parents should tell the elder that the baby will require a lot of attention at first. Explain to your son or daughter that mom and dad won't love them any less.

3. Do not scold for the manifestation of aggression towards the youngest child

An older child must be listened to, even if he says “wrong”, in the opinion of adults, things. For example, that she does not want a brother or sister at all, or that she will not love him. Do not scold the first-born for this, it is better to give him the opportunity to speak. The very fact that parents understand the feelings of the child will give him the strength to cope with his experiences.

4. Do not associate the changes in the life of an older child with the arrival of a younger one.

All significant changes in a child's life - moving to another room, visiting kindergarten should not be associated with the birth of the youngest. It is better to do this before childbirth, or postpone it to a later period.

The first-born will feel his involvement in the upcoming event if the parents discuss with him all the pressing issues. He can help choose a crib, toys and clothes for the baby, take part in choosing a name, pick up a gift for a brother or sister.

6. Tell your older child about his infancy

Parents can tell the elder about how he was as a child, how he behaved in his mother’s stomach, show photos of his infancy period and explain that his brother or sister will be born as small and helpless as he was a few years ago.

7. Tell your child how he can show care for the baby.

The child should be warned that the newborn will not be able to play with him immediately in order to avoid disappointment. It is good to focus on pleasant moments, to make it clear to the first-born that he can take care of the youngest, to teach him everything that he himself can do.

8. Show your child a positive example of families with many children.

It is good if the parents have friends in whose family there are several children. You can take the elder to visit them. Tell him about the benefits of a big family and show him how much fun it is for kids to play with each other. Tell him that he will play like this with his brother or sister as soon as the baby is a little older.

9. Expand your child's social circle with peers

Parents should try to ensure that the child has a social circle outside the family. If he communicates more with other children, his life will not be connected only with his parents, and he will painlessly endure the appearance of the baby.

Is the older child ready for the appearance of a baby in the family?

Ekaterina Kushnir

Preparing for the birth of a baby- this is one of the most important activities in the period and you must do this in advance, because if you do not prepare on time, then there will simply be no time, because the baby requires constant attention and almost 100% of your free time.

We also recommend that you not only prepare for the arrival of a child in the family, but also start buying at least the most necessary things that you may need in the first month after childbirth. Many people think that buying things for a child in advance is a bad omen. Believe it or not, it's your choice, but in fact, if you don't buy anything at all, then the first weeks will be terrible for you.

But how prepare for the arrival of the baby and where to start? - this question is the most difficult for many expectant mothers. Therefore, we have compiled a short list of activities, based on the experience of professional mothers, which will help you to be fully prepared for the arrival of your baby.

Necessary measures before the birth of a child.

Buy baby care books and read them with your partner. You and your partner must know how to handle the child, what he can and cannot do. This will save you from many problems and scandals.

Sign up for a school for young parents. There, experienced mothers will teach and show you how to behave, and what to do in the first year of a baby’s life, as well as how to behave during pregnancy, childbirth, how a man should help you, and much more.

In every room, and even in the kitchen, create a small children's corner with a strategic supply of diapers, diapers, baby wipes, towels, bedspreads. This is done so that if suddenly the baby has to change a diaper, then you do not have to run through the whole apartment in search of them.

Buy a camera if you don't already have one. Try to photograph your child's first steps in this world: the first time he sits down, when he gets on his feet, the first bath. Babies are very funny and funny, and looking at pictures of the baby will reduce the stressful situation that new parents find themselves in in the first year of a child's life.

Important purchases before the birth of the baby.

First, make a list of everything you and your baby will need. Priority items include:

You also need to collect a first aid kit with everything you need. First aid kits must contain:

1. Cotton buds and disks.
2. Alcohol.
3. Hydrogen peroxide.
4. Zelenka.
5. A solution of potassium permanganate.
6. Colic remedy.
7. Collection of mint, chamomile and string.
8. Pipette with rounded tips (2-3 pcs).
9. Vaseline oil.
10. Saline.
11. Thermometer for a child.
12. Aspirator for suctioning secretions from the common cold.
13. Cream "Rescuer".
14. Enema.

You will also need:

1. Pads for every day.
2. Night pads.
3. Simple cotton underpants (about 5-6 pieces).
4. Cream for body and face, as well as cream for cracked nipples.

Here, perhaps, is a list of all the essentials that may be needed for the first time after childbirth. Of course, you can add something, and possibly take something away. Some of the things listed may not be needed at all, but just in case, let them be.