Proper Prior Planning Promotes Perfect Pregnancy

Prepare yourself and partner for what’s to come during your pregnancy and beyond.

In school we would have to study to do well on our exams; well, pregnancy is a test on your body and the exam is your delivery. So in order to do well on your "exit exam" you must study and prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the arrival of your newborn. Even if you think of yourself as experienced, maybe even an expert because this is not your first child, I assure you there will still be at least one or two things you will learn on this journey.

I promise you will be able to manage and figure everything out that you’ll need to know on your own, but why add that extra stress if you don’t have to. In many cases, you have access to birthing and baby classes that are free and available; you just need to look for them. Many hospitals offer mommy-to-be classes that educate you from first ultrasound to postpartum recovery. Partners are welcomed to these courses and the amount of information you will learn is priceless. 

Having the chance to learn about what to expect at your delivery, regardless of what delivery style or location will bring you peace of mind on your big day. Many of these courses will also discuss breast and bottle feeding. The teachers of these courses are commonly nurses, doulas and/or midwives. They have an incredible amount of knowledge and a desire to help, so don’t ever withhold a question because you think it might be a dumb question, these wonderful people want to help you. 

Check your local hospitals by giving them a call, reading their website’s events calendar, or check their social media profiles for information about classes being offered. You can also research birthing centers near you, most also offer classes, even if you’re not delivering with them. 

The beauty of attending one or more of these courses is that not only are you learning new things, or possibly getting a refresher, but you’re also making a connection with other new parents and a support person to contact when you might have questions. It’s very possible that these locations will also host nursing courses and have connections to lactation experts. These wonderful people can help you personally with how to feed your newborn with a variety of techniques, or they can properly teach you how to handle lactation issues or how to dry up your supply if and when needed. 

One of the best things my husband and I did was attend a few classes and partnered with a Birthing Doula. We attended a Pregnancy A to Z class at the hospital I was scheduled to deliver at, the instructor was a delivery nurse and lactation consultant. It turned out that she was there the day my son was born and she also came to our room and spent hours with me teaching me about nursing, latching, tongue ties, and other techniques. She was so patient and helpful, she helped my son and I in so many ways. Our Doula provided so much education to us as well. She explained what was happening on the inside and what was going to happen on the outside (if you get my drift). She taught both my husband and I techniques for labor and delivery. She shared a mountain of education with supplements and readings too. 

Because of the classes we attended, the locations we visited and the relationships we made, we felt so much more prepared for our little arrival. We even heard from one of our nurses that she was told by her other coworkers that we were the family they didn’t need to worry about because we “knew what we were doing”! That’s all because we were as prepared as we could be. 

Throughout the rest of You Got This Mamas website, you will find lists to help get your prepared, suggested items for mama and baby that we personally researched, tried, and own that we loved, and I will be sharing blogs with stories, tips and tricks and recommendations to help all the mamas out there along this same journey of parenthood! I’m so excited to be on this journey with you! I’m learning along the way too so thank you for your support. Please feel free to share what you learn in the comments below to help your fellow mama friends too. Never forget that G-d only gives you what you can handle and always remember “You Got This Mamas”!