Welcome to the greatest transforming journey of your life! You’re a first-time mom, and you want pregnancy tips. Well, I’ll let you know right now that you will want MORE than just tips.
You’ve chosen to educate yourself and search for what you need in order to feel OKAY about all of this. But you need some help along the way.
Pregnancy Tips For First Time Moms
Where to start? What to do, what to read? I feel your pain. When I was pregnant with my first little boy, I had no idea where to go. I had no idea what was most important to know.
So now, after having been there three times, I’ve discovered a few things on my own. And I don’t want you to be in the dark as much as I was. So here are my best pregnancy tips for first-time moms to get you going.
1. You are not alone
You are NOT alone in this! You may have a big support group behind you of your husband, friends, and family, or maybe you don’t.
I am here for you and everyone in your same situation is here for you. DON’T forget that. We have a great group of gals in the Natural Baby Birth Moms Facebook Group that you’re welcome to join.
Items You’ll Need For Your Pregnancy
- Natural Birthing Resources: my favorites are the Bradley Method and Ina May’s Guide.
- Earth Mama Pregnancy pampering products so you’re comfortable as your start to grow.
- Faithfully take your prenatal vitamins if you haven’t already started.
- De-stress in a warm bath with lavender essential oil.
2. You make the decisions
You are the ULTIMATE decision maker when it comes to the actions you take right now for carrying your baby, and later for birthing your baby. Start thinking about what you want in your birth plan.
Your support group and your husband may have differing opinions or feel other things are more appropriate for you. You may have a doctor that has strong views as well. Just REMEMBER that you have the strength to do anything you wish with your pregnancy and birth.
Related: Here’s Your Free Printable Birth Plan Form
3. Don’t be overwhelmed
Having a natural baby birth isn’t just black and white. There are MANY methods and techniques that you can learn about and start incorporating immediately. I will help you filter through the options available to you. I started with the Bradley Method.
If you find something that sounds good that you want to try, definitely work on it. But don’t think that using different methods will conflict with each other; many different methods work well together.
Related: Husband-Coached Childbirth – The Bradley Method Of Childbirth
4. Allow your body to change
Your body will be changing in a way that will AMAZE you, or it may frustrate you at the same time. You’re going to be sick, tired, sick of being tired, hungry, hasty, hot and forgetful. Among many other symptoms, know that they will come, but that will ALSO pass. You can help time go a bit faster with some well-deserved pampering along the way. I love the pampering items that Earth Mama has, especially for bath time.
Our bodies are the most magnificent creation on this earth! We have the gift of being able to create life within ourselves without even needing to consciously take part in it. Everything taking part inside of you is perfectly normal and natural.
Related: Breast Change During Pregnancy – Will They Always Be This Sore?
5. You’ll be okay
You WILL get through this. Pregnancy seems to last forever, and the last trimester drags on like a snail crossing the street.
But when that baby comes, it will seem to have gone by almost too fast.
What You Need To Do
You may read and learn and soak up every single ounce of information that you can. But it’s no good unless you put things into action.
6. Take Care of Yourself
No matter what, you and that baby come first. If you have to stop and take a nap, eat something, or just have a relaxing bath, DO IT!
I’ve known gals that would focus too much on other things that could wait, and they’d suffer for it by feeling even worse physically. Don’t let that happen to you. If you need extra help it’s NOT demeaning to ask for it.
Related: Earth Mama Angel Baby Pregnancy Pampering Kit
7. Educate Yourself
You will find all the information you need here on mynaturalbabybirth.com. You may be happy with just a little bit of information here and there. Or you may want every drop of info that you can find about all the possibilities.
Either way is fine. But it will be VERY difficult to accomplish this task without preparation. I started out with Dr. Bradley’s book and Ina May Gaskin’s Guide To Childbirth.
8. Exercise
The sooner you start exercising, the easier it will be. Your body strength will increase as your belly grows. It will help you sleep easier and feel MUCH better.
Maybe you’re already on top of that—GREAT! Continue doing so. If no, no problem. I have easy pregnancy exercises to get your started.
Related: Easy Pregnancy Exercises – Your Best Investment
9. Take Your Prenatal Vitamins
Everyone seems to be overly concerned about nutrition for you and your baby. But if you’re taking your proper prenatal vitamins (hopefully even before you get pregnant) you don’t have anything to worry about if you’re eating healthy as well.
When you’re feeling sick though and can’t seem to get anything down, or only cereal seems to work for you for awhile, your baby will still be FINE. Your body knows what it’s doing in order to get all the proper nutrients to your child.
10. Don’t Delay Visiting Your Doctor
Utilize the resources your doctor or midwife can provide and be ready with any questions for every appointment. He can find things right away that may be particular to your circumstances that I may not be able to help you with.
11. Last but not least… DON’T Worry
You’re taking the right steps for your pregnancy and for preparing for your birth. Of course, things are unexpected and we have to expect the unexpected. But fretting over how things will go is wasted energy that will drain from your already limited supply.
I know it’s hard to not get caught up on some details about complications and rare issues that still arise for a few pregnant women. But you and your doctor or midwife are excellent providers of this marvelous task ahead of you.
If you do these few tips, your worries will decrease and your confidence will grow as that baby grows with you. Want a complete way to have all your preparation done?
>> See My Top Tools For Your Natural Birth <<
If you EVER need help with anything or have a question, please drop me a comment and I’ll be there!
What’s your biggest question right now?
MORE RESOURCES
- Natural Pregnancy Essentials
- Natural Birth Essentials
- 10 Pieces of Pregnancy Advice For First Time Moms, Scary Mommy
- 17 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy, Parents.com
- How To Relax During Childbirth: 3 Simple Ways To Ease Tension & Enhance Joy
It’s easy to be anxious about the baby, during pregnancy and after! Would love to figure out ways to reduce that anxiety!
When I firstly had a pregnancy, I felt pain and soreness in by breasts after an intercourse a few days. The best way to know the result is to use the pregnancy test in the morning after you have missed a period 14 days!
So you’re saying you had a positive pregnancy test only 14 days after your last period?
These are some great tips for expecting mothers, especially your point about getting the right nutrition for you and your baby. I think it’s important to know what you need to do to be healthy with you level of current level of health. That way, your health will benefit the health of your baby. It may be worth working with a pregnancy care center who can coach you through some helpful ways to improve your health. I’ll have to pass these tips off to my wife, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Bernard! Let me know if you or your wife ever have questions.
Side note: My Grandfather’s name was Clyde and my son’s middle name is Clyde too! 🙂 Small world.
If I would have had this article when my first daughter was born maybe I wouldn’t have felt so alien. This is a wonderful resource for any mom new or seasoned. I’m sending this to an expectant mom friend of mine!
Every moment in motherhood seems to feel alien! You’re so right, Heather. 🙂
V have go for sonography of my daughter-in-law. On 7th,of Nov 2016. our gynaec is refer report of sonography & the second point of report is just like the “Low lying posterio placenfa” . I want to know placenta, is it harmfull for daughter-in-law. Can u give advise/ precaution for that.
Hi Bharti. With a low-lying placenta, there’s not much to worry about. The only thing that is a big issue is when your daughter-in-law’s placenta is completely covering her cervix. If this is the case, then that would mean a c-section is the only option in the birth of your grandchild. But it sounds like that isn’t the case. Be sure to work with your daughter-in-law’s doctor if they have any specific precautions she should take. Thanks for asking!
These are great tips.I hope to experience being a mom one day.
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Definitely reach out when you’re expecting and we’ll be here for you, Melody. Have a great day!
We shall see if I can actually have kids… 😐
I hope that you will find joy in whatever future is ahead of you, Gigi.
My husband and I have started talking about trying to get pregnant soon and since I’m such a planner I already know I want a natural birth. Thank you for your words of encouragement about natural births, people always gawk when someone says natural birth not realising they come off very unsupportive and discouraging.
I’m excited to read all the resources you have provided! ?
I’m so glad to have been helpful, Dallas. I’m going to be launching a beta version of my course to a number of participants for free this month. If you’d like to participate, just visit the course interest page and get on the list.
You will definitely find encouragement here. Let me know how I can help, anytime! 🙂
#2 is so important! With the first pregnancy I had a nurse tell me I had to do something that I knew I didn’t have to do and because I stood up for my baby, the nurse gently learned a new lesson that she didn’t know before. The head nurse had to inform her that parents actually did get to decide.
Hi Kristi. Way to stand up for your convictions. It’s surprising that many parents think that they don’t have a choice when it comes to their baby’s delivery. It’s no different than any other doctor you visit with a certain condition. If you don’t like their professional advice, you certainly don’t have to take it.
Oh this is good. I have a friend that is pregnant with her first child. She is about 2 months now and always looking for new information to read up on.
That would be great to hear from her Tiffany! Feel free to share.
Great article. I’ll be sure to pass it along to some friends.
That would be great. Thanks Jessica!
Great tips! I’m not a mother, but I know how difficult pregnancy can be, and it’s wonderful to see other women trying to help mothers beginning that journey!
Hi Kay! We all need some help at any part of our lifelong journeys, whether we’re mothers or not. I just hope that many women will open up more to collaborating instead of competing in this world. 🙂
These are great tips! I probably could’ve taken better care of myself with the first, but I know better for the future 😉 Thanks for sharing these!
Hi Brittney. Every pregnancy is so different and it’s hard to expect ourselves to do it perfectly any which way. I ate super great with my first, but not so much with my last. Yet I exercised the worst with my first, and the best with my most recent. Things change and we grow along with the changes. 🙂
Great tips and for first time moms these will be a huge help!
Hi Marie! I love spreading JOY too. 🙂 Thanks.
These are all great tips for first time moms!
Every little bit helps. 🙂 Thanks Marcia!
Yes I love that you reassure new moms that we’ll be ok throughout this post. A lot are nervouse and it’s great to ask questions and seek out help.
Hi Mihaela. I used to constantly tell myself that billions of women have done this for thousands of years, so I certainly could too. 🙂 Feel free to share, thanks!
Great article. I love the positive vibe through out the post. Thanks for reposting it.
You’re welcome Chaza!
yes exercise I walked all the time when pregnant doctor said that helped greatly. Never stop reading and researching as it is the only way you will find out answers to your questions. Great tips thanks for sharing
You’re right, Angie! And the research is constantly changing all the time, so we have to keep up on it. 🙂
It’s been a long time since I traveled that road (18 years exactly) but this is a great list. It’s never like you think it will be. I had natural birth all three times and honestly I had really quick births so I guess I had it easy. I really love the what to expect book.
Hi Heidi. Sounds like you had a precipitous labor each time. What do you think helped contribute to your success with having natural births? Would love to hear. 🙂
These are such great tips! As a mother of three when I was pregnant with my first daughter I was looking for all the tips I could get. Three, five and six would have been especially helpful!
We have to count on others that have been there before, right? Thanks De! 🙂