the week i found out that i was expecting was a pretty important one. there were four failed pregnancy tests. and every time it came up negative, i said 'no. i'm definitely pregnant.' i wasn't late. not even close. but my entire body and self knew that things had changed. i didn't panic. not even when my sister said 'well, you won't be buying $400 boots anymore'. which is a small miracle in itself. but i was super fortunate to have some incredible support in my life who had my back more during that week than ever.
here are a handful of my tips on unplanned pregnancy aka [hopefully] the greatest surprise of your life:
1. one good starting point: there is NO good/easy/especiallyideal time to have a baby. i mean, there are points in your life where it's certainly easIER, and MORE ideal than others. but whether you are [mention no names & by that i mean my name] 23 and in a very new relationship, or 30, married for 3 years and perfectly planned: there will be budgeting. and heavy decision making. your man may freak whether it was a surprise or not. you may freak. whether you grow a beautiful baby in your stomach or not, life happens. challenges happen. celebrations happen. it happens.
2. stop drinking jagar bombs. and caesars. stat. and don't freak out if you had a cocktail in the first week of pregnancy. you aren't the first. you won't be the last. marcus didn't come out drunk. neither will yours. knock on wood.
3. make an appt with the fam doc. this is important. they will confirm the pregnancy, try to chart out how far along it is, and do a physical. you need this. as early on as possible.
4. go get a prenatal multivitamin and a high-potency fish oil supplement. two must haves [in my personal baby making op] that will ensure you grow the most beautiful, healthy and intelligent baby possible. these are both like added health insurance, especially helpful during weeks 1-12 [or if you are this girl, weeks 1-40 and one day] when you vomit more times in any given single day than in the rest of your life combined and are stressing over nutrients.
5. find an awesome obgyn. you don't necessarily have a birth plan in mind if you weren't planning to conceive at all, so try to find one that is as open minded and offers a ton of options during the pregnancy and delivery. mine was unreal but i think i got lucky. she was no nonsense, straight shooting, super supportive and had common sense even the DW would respect. don't stress if you don't get an appt until the second tri. that's cool. the fam doc will arrange your first ultrasound anyways.
6. if the man is behind you, awesome. if not, find some equally awesome support because you will need it. not in the form of a back up baby daddy. in the form of a fam or friend member who you're cool with seeing you up close + personal plus like 25 pounds.
7. go to www.thebump.com and www.babycentre.com. subscribe to their email newsletters. these emails are a great resource and i found a nice balance between both sites.
8. don't read books on pregnancy. read books about what to do with the baby once it's here. if you can read both, then sure. do. but if the pregnancy is unplanned you might be better off to subscribe to some great e-newsletters and just focus on getting ready for d day. [delivery day].
9. go for a walk. outside. get fresh air. get active. so important during the everyday life and even moreso when you're knocked the heck up. don't be a lazy pregnant woman whose all 'i have no idea how i gained all this weight i swear i didn't eat THAT MUCH ice cream' and out of breath after they carry the newborn upstairs because they didn't bust a single sweat the whole 40 weeks.
10. breathe. this is an insane. scary. important. wonderful. beautiful. life. changing. in. the. hugest. possible. way. journey. and if you're going to do it, i'm totally begging you to do it 'right'. don't half-do it. if you're in, be all the way in. and take time to breathe. because before you know it life goes from this:
to this:
 |
| hours old. |
we are sending lots of love + healthy, happy energy to that friend of a friend. because sometimes it is pretty wonderful to celebrate 'congratulations' and 'surprise' all at the same time.
-kare
