The Family Groove "Calm Together"

CALM TOGETHER
SIMPLE TIPS TO EASE EXPECTANT PARENTS’ MINDS

When you’re a mom-to-be or dad-to-be, it seems like the preparing-for-baby to-do list never ends. With so many things to accomplish before D-day, knowing exactly the right actions to take will not only ease your mind, but it will serve to bolster your confidence, empowering you to effectively handle what is certain to be your greatest and most challenging role to date: parent. So, if you’re ready to get your ducks in a row, read this article.

Tips for Dad
Since it takes two to make a baby, here are a few things to include on Dad’s checklist:

Chill Out
Trying to conceive? Any action that will keep your internal temperatures rising is bad for the baby-making business because it lowers sperm count. So, stay out of the hot tub, off the laptop (or use it on a location that isn’t your lap) and reduce strenuous activities.

Kick Butt
Studies have shown that smoking impacts general everyday performance. Dad needs to be at his peak overall health level for the long road ahead. Once pregnant, secondhand smoke can put Baby at risk for birth defects and cause Mom immediate breathing and sleeping problems.

Love Her Tender
Pre-conception and pregnancy is a time of intense hormonal changes and moods swings. Although the family is growing, it begins with the two of you. Do everything you can to keep the flame of love alive. Small gestures like flowers, a massage or even tidying up around the house go a long way.

Tips for Mom
Having a baby is a marathon, not a sprint. To make sure you have the endurance it takes to make it to the finish line, consider these helpful tips from Teri Lukin, MS, FNP, director of Work Life Initiatives at Time Inc.:

Check It Out
A healthy baby requires healthy beginnings. Make sure to get a physical examination that includes the following: a weight check; pap smear; pelvic, breast and abdominal exam; blood work; and STD check-up, among other health screening tests. If a test reveals a condition that requires treatment, this will be the best time to clear it up. Blood work will also be able to detect whether your immunizations are current. You may require a booster, rubella or chicken pox vaccination. Contracting anything during pregnancy can be problematic for you and your baby.

Chew on This
Your body isn’t the only thing that requires an A-grade approval stamp—your mouth may need maintenance, too. Studies have shown that there is a link between gum disease and premature labor and preeclampsia. Dangerous during pregnancy, it’s a high blood pressure condition that can cause premature birth, seizures and death. Note: Receiving X-rays when you’re pregnant is an absolute no-no. It could harm the fetus. Make sure you take care of the heavy-duty items: have oral X-rays, dental procedures and treatments for gum disease and gingivitis completed before getting pregnant. If you are already pregnant, give your teeth an extra dose of TLC by brushing after each meal, followed by a once-over with floss.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Your emotional health is very important. Stress, depression and anxiety can have detrimental effects on your body and your baby. Relax by doing some yoga or meditations, which may help with delivery. Try to rearrange your schedule to free yourself from frustration, and take some time to chill with your girlfriends, especially the ones who have your back no matter what you’re going through.

Fuel Up
Your body needs a balanced diet to develop and sustain a healthy baby. Start upping your intake of foods rich in folic acid, as they contain a form of the water-soluble and very powerful vitamin B9 that combats neural tube defects like spina bifida. Kick the processed, preservative-laden and heavily salted foods to the curb. Opt for über-healthy foods like whole grains, low-fat dairy and brightly colored fruits and veggies. Load up on proteins, like lean cuts of chicken or beef and fish, which are a great source of brain-building omega-3 fatty acids. Note: Since some fish is too high in mercury to eat during your pregnancy, ask your doctor which kinds to avoid and which ones to eat sparingly. Pregnancy is not the time to eat what you want, willy-nilly; on the contrary, it’s the time to take well-rounded and healthy eating to a new level, keeping treats to a sweet minimum.

Inquire Mindfully
Got questions? Good. Your health care practitioner and/or birthing team is prepared to answer everything from how to get ready for the birth experience and what’s “normal” to how to breast-feed and care for a newborn. Keep a running list of your questions and be sure to bring it with you when you go for your check-ups.

Tips for Both Parents-to-Be
There are many changes to expect during pregnancy that are not only physical but financial as well. Juggling finances and responsibilities at work and home can be a balancing act. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, former management consultant for various Fortune 500 companies, presents some useful strategies:

Assess Your Coverage
Familiarize yourself with exactly what your health plan offers—and what it doesn’t. Take some time to compare health plan options for prenatal coverage, genetic testing and fertility treatments. If you don’t like what your current plan has to offer, this is the time to consider changing plans or providers.

Take the Temperature
Review your company’s policies regarding time off for new parents, paid and unpaid; short- and long-term leave; disability insurance; and flex time and spending. You should also take note of your company’s culture. If your company is family-friendly, it may have perks that you can utilize, such as on-site day care facilities, childcare reimbursement or a family leave policy. Don’t forget to notify your manager about your plans in advance. Have a conversation with other co-workers to see which systems, services and resources they used.

Seek Support
All moms-to-be and dads-to-be need a good support system. Many things will change in your life and you will have many questions. Surround yourself with those who can help you gain the knowledge you will need as you begin your journey on the road to parenthood.

—Monique M. Johnson

Monique M. Johnson is a freelance writer based out of New York City.