Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Before you jump the gun (you probably already have) thinking about their future schools, academic achievements and career, you’ve got to get through the first month (and the next, and next, and next).
Most of you may have poured through many books and websites on what happens before welcoming a newborn into this world, but which ones are the most relevant? You certainly can’t take every piece of advice out there, but there are the crucial ones you can rely on.
The problem is, which ones are they?
Here, we are making it super easy for you by breaking down what almost all women wished they knew (and did) before childbirth.
Take care of yourself
Baby, baby, baby, baby—that is all you think about before delivery and after.
You probably have prepared every possible thing for his or her arrival, but there are things you’re bound to miss or wish you had in mind during your planning. Before you go ‘Oh, bummer‘, we’d advise you to schedule time for self-love after your delivery.
Most would be very cautious and follow everything in the rulebook before delivery. But just in case you want the lowdown of all the must-dos, here they are:
- Sign up for parentcraft classes that cover early pregnancy, birthing techniques, antenatal yoga or pilates, breastfeeding prep and relaxation sessions, among others.
- Do workouts to prepare your body for labour and delivery. Some even believe that workouts will help you return to your pre-baby body quicker. With a yoga mat on the floor, try the child’s pose, deep squat and cat-cow that will help ease discomfort and lengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
After delivery, remember that you have done a good job of pushing a new life into this world, therefore:
- Sleep just about anytime and anywhere when the baby sleeps. Almost half of all parents with children below six months only get one to three hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Sleep deprivation can tip some mothers into postpartum anxiety. Your body and mind need time to heal, physically and mentally. Therefore, make sleep one of your top priorities.
- Stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water daily. When you are fussing with your child, you might forget to keep your body well-nourished and hydrated. Water is also very important because breast milk is 90% water, so be sure to get enough water to sustain yourself and your baby.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help
You are (or will be) a new mother. Regardless if this is your second or third child, you’ve never been at this stage before. Therefore, never be afraid to ask for help. It can be practical help such as preparing meals, doing the washing or shopping.
The first person to recruit is your husband. The parenthood journey does not only involve you, and if your husband is a little lost on how to help you, don’t leave them wondering. Communicate your needs clearly because hints sometimes don’t work.
Daddies and soon-to-be daddies, if you are reading this, here’s what you can do to help:
- Get the home and car baby-ready. Set up the cot and the nappy-changing area, ensure household supplies are accounted for, fix the car seat and be sure the hospital bags are packed.
- Remember, the smallest gestures do help. Cleaning the home, preparing or purchasing food, bringing your wife a pillow or a drink when she sits up to breastfeed, encouraging her and being patient is the support that she needs while she avails her mind and body for the baby.
- You can also get hands-on by learning how to dress, settle and bathe the baby. Granted, it can be overwhelming, and you might not think you are good at it. However, no one is born to be good at it; only practice makes perfect.
If you need extra help, there is no shame in reaching out to your parents, in-laws, siblings or friends. Most times, they want to help but don’t know how.
Set rules
A few days after you arrived home with your baby, you will start forming a pattern on how to care for your baby and yourself. As your baby is still very new to the world, it is the best time to start establishing a flexible sleep routine according to your baby. Note the time when your baby goes to sleep and wakes up so you can adjust your body to get sufficient shut-eye.
It will slowly change, and by the second month, you can slowly set your baby’s day-night sleep cycle.
You can set other personal rules like the type of food you want to consume that will benefit your new-but-old body. Though you may feel lethargic, introduce an exercise routine to your schedule. Even if it is just a 10 to 15-minute workout, it will give you a burst of energy.
We also advise you to set rules when it comes to visitors. It is not just about the fear of COVID-19, but prioritising energy and space; so you are at your most rested self before having to entertain guests. You can choose to limit visitors, set a meeting time or just say you are not accepting visitors until the baby is a month old or older.
Expect medical issues
This is not jinxing your child’s health; it is about being practical about what may happen.
Jaundice, colic and fever are among the common list of ailments that may befall your newborn. These ailments will require hospital stays that may be a day or two, probably more.
Or you may be the one that needs medical attention. Some breastfeeding mothers may experience mastitis, an infection that develops in the breast tissue. This painful condition causes one’s breast to become swollen, red and inflamed.
Now, what would happen when these unwelcomed medical problems involving your baby or you arise?
Having insurance to cover it will give you peace of mind, so you do not have to worry about worst-case scenarios.
Mummies never regret getting insured
It is advisable to prepare an umbrella before it rains—and one significant thing you can do to protect your baby, family and finances, is to get insured.
After handling delivery bills, baby purchases and other contingencies, you would not want to be shocked into paying more medical bills if anything happens.
Almost all mothers who concluded that insurance can come later wished they decided otherwise.
When deciding to insure your pregnancy, delivery and both you and your child, consider Allianz!
Allianz now has PreciousCover and BabyCover insurance provides for those who need phototherapy treatment for neonatal jaundice (no hospitalisation needed), Hospitalisation Benefit for Mother’s Prenatal and Postnatal Conditions and Compassionate Care when the child is hospitalised in ICU/ HDU/ NICU.
You can gain exclusive access to the Allianz Careline support for immediate medical advice—powered by Sunway Medical Centre.
Sunway Medical Centre medical officers or nurses will be providing medical advice on maternal and children’s health. The telehealth support is available from Monday to Friday, 10AM – 8PM (except public holidays). Just call 1300 88 8822 or WhatsApp to 019 2212 398.
The first 1,000 customers who purchase a new Allianz PowerLink policy and attach PreciousCover and/or BabyCoverduring the campaign period will get an exclusive Allianz Baby Box, on a first come, first served basis. If you are expecting, register ASAP as the campaign ends on December 31, 2021.
When you are insured, you can be sure that you’ll be sleeping more soundly at night—that is, until feeding time calls.
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!