Decisions, decisions! Once the exciting news of your pregnancy sets in, it’s time to sit down and consider some important questions about everything from your birth plan to your baby’s name.
Take a step-by-step look at some of the decisions facing parents-to-be (and let us help you make them!).
1. Should I Find Out About My Baby’s Gender?
Most parents-to-be choose to find out the gender of their baby ASAP (usually at the 20-week ultrasound), while others like to go the old-fashioned route of being surprised in the delivery room. Decide what feels right to you. Finding out the gender allows for better planning in choosing a name, decorating the nursery and buying baby clothes, but keeping it a surprise can be a great motivator during labour and delivery, and comes with that magical moment of reveal when the baby makes his or her entrance into the world.
2. What Is My Maternity Leave Plan?
Announcing your pregnancy at work and sorting out your maternity leave plan is a must for working mums. Most women tell their manager before their pregnant belly begins to show, which allows several months for planning for your absence. While revealing your pregnancy to your employer can seem daunting, in most cases the laws are on your side to help you keep your job and pick it back up after your maternity leave.
3. What Are My Plans After Maternity Leave?
Staying at home to raise your baby vs. returning to work after your maternity leave is another tricky topic for mums-to-be. Most mums have a sense of their plan before giving birth, but your plans may change depending on your physical or mental health after giving birth, your baby’s health, and other factors you can’t predict. Family finances are a major consideration, so calculate whether you can afford to stay at home. Also, learn about the pros and cons of staying at home vs. returning to work, and if you plan to return to work, begin researching childcare options during your pregnancy. In many areas, places fill up fast, so try to begin your research early.
4. Should I Breastfeed Or Bottle Feed?
Our Ministry of Health recommends breastfeeding from birth until six months, and continue to breastfeed until two years of age. This is because breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your newborn, but it may come with some challenges that can be resolved if you’re prepared for it. Read up or/and attend a breastfeeding workshop to give you the confidence. The choice of whether to continue breastfeeding after six months is up to you. It’s one of the touchiest subjects for new mothers, so be kind to yourself about whatever decision you make, tune out other people’s judgments, and be open to changing plans if you need to.
5. What Should I Name My Baby?
Some parents-to-be arrive at pregnancy with a long list of potential baby names in hand, while others don’t have a clue where to begin with this monumental decision. Having a short list of about three potential names (per gender or per baby, in the case of multiples) when you head to the delivery room can help you feel excited rather than overwhelmed by your selection. If you and your spouse are keen on compromise, this decision can be the most fun one of your pregnancy!
6. Who Should Be Present At Birth?
Hospitals have their own policies regarding the number of visitors who can be present during labour and delivery. Perhaps you’ll want both your spouse and your parent(s) around during your labour, but only your spouse in the delivery room. Many women select one person as their primary birthing partner, and that person attends childbirth classes with the mum-to-be in order to prepare for the main event. If you don’t want anyone other than your spouse at the hospital during labour and delivery, stand your ground, mama!
7. Should I Get An Epidural?
The question of whether to opt for an epidural or try to take the route of natural childbirth is something that looms large throughout many women’s pregnancy. Don’t get too worked up about it. Gather the facts on your pain relief options during labour and delivery, and decide what your “best case scenario” involves. But keep in mind that this decision isn’t set in stone. Even if you have a written birth plan you may change your mind at the last minute (even in the delivery room) and that is completely fine.
8. Should We Bank Baby’s Cord Blood?
Some parents choose to save and store their baby’s umbilical cord blood because it is rich in stem cells that could be used later on to treat medical conditions ranging from leukemia to cerebral palsy to metabolic disorders. Get more information on cord blood banking, and weigh the options with your doctor.
