I know all you moms can relate to this, but it goes without saying: pregnancy is hard. Carrying a human inside your body for almost a year takes its toll on you, and then you give birth and now this small person needs to be at their beck and call just so their basic needs are met. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, wonderful, and hard all at the same time.
When it comes to having children, you’ll hear so many things from other people. You’ll get unsolicited advice from everyone, including the random stranger at the grocery store. But here’s the thing, though. Don’t take their tips to heart. Here are some of the essential habits and tips for pregnancy and postpartum.
Nutritious Foods
When you can eat healthy foods, then eat them. Raw veggies with dip, unprocessed meats, and even smoothies are excellent sources of nutrients while you’re pregnant. Protein is especially important, so work on incorporating a little bit of that throughout the day. Whether you eat some protein bars, drink protein shakes, or enjoy a piece of grilled, seasoned meat, there are plenty of ways to get in your protein needs.
Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnancy is tough in so many ways. Hormone surges can make it hard to eat because of nausea, and some foods will make you want to vomit — and sometimes you might do just that! While eating nutritious foods is a great idea, sometimes all you can stomach might be cheese pizza and chocolate milk. That’s where good prenatal vitamins come in. They help you get in all those important micronutrients you are missing out on in your diet.
Mother’s Helper
If you can swing it, hiring a mother’s helper can be a lifesaver. They can help by folding and putting away clothes, doing the dishes, helping you prepare a meal, or giving you some rest when you are exhausted. Some people hire a postpartum doula, but you can also choose an older teenager to come help.
Some homeschooled teens like having a job, and being a mother’s helper could be the perfect opportunity for them. While you don’t need to do all the things by yourself, there is nothing wrong with hiring someone else to do it. This can definitely help take a lot of the stress off your shoulders, too, allowing you to focus more on your little one.
Meal Planning
Creating a weekly meal plan can take as little as 30 minutes a week. What this does is take the guesswork out of figuring out what’s for dinner. Additionally, having quick meals to throw together can help on those nights that you don’t feel like making anything, but you know you need to eat.
You can also purchase meal plans based on your likes and dislikes through a meal planning service. If even that’s too much for you, then you may prefer to buy meals from a service that sends you all the ingredients in a box. Follow the directions on their recipe cards to prepare your evening meal, and dinner should come together in a breeze.
Get Comfortable With Saying No
There will be times during pregnancy and postpartum when people will want you to do things for them. While you can offer help sometimes, don’t overestimate your abilities. Your body is going through immense changes, and your physical and mental health are critical. Don’t overload your schedule with unnecessary to-do’s as it can easily stress you out and overwhelm you.
It’s okay to say no. If you’re used to putting everyone else’s needs above yours, you can feel free to put your foot down and tell them that you aren’t able to do what they’re asking of you.
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