Guide to Modern Motherhood with Helpful Resources

Your Ultimate Guide to Motherhood

3 facts that you may not know yet…

1. Adolescent pregnancy is a growing public health concern in the United States. 
2. Women aged 20 to 24 years, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions.
3. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally.

Let’s prevent that from happening. Here’s a complete guide with resources that may help you in your journey to motherhood.

Bullet 1:

1. COMMON SIGNS

   • Fatigue. One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is fatigue. Your body is working hard to support the growing embryo, so you may find yourself feeling tired earlier than usual. If you’re finding that you need to take a nap in the middle of the day or can’t seem to get out of bed in the morning, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant.
   • Bloating and Gas. As your hormone levels begin to rise, you may find that your digestive system slows down, which can lead to gas and bloating. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. If you’re ever in pain or feel like something isn’t right, be sure to talk to your doctor.
   • Food Cravings and Aversions. Cravings and aversions are also common during early pregnancy. You may find that certain foods sound disgusting to you, even if they’re foods that you normally love. Alternatively, you may have sudden cravings for foods that you’ve never even thought about before.
   • Pregnancy Glow Effect. This is when your skin looks radiant and healthy, thanks to the increased blood flow in your body. If you notice that your skin is looking better than usual, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant.

Bullet 2:

2. IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS 

• Do eat healthy. 
• Do exercise. 
• Do take your prenatal vitamins. 
• Do take ob-gyne’s recommended prenatal vitamins
• Do get enough rest. 

• Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs
• Don’t smoke cigarettes 
• Don’t spend too much time standing up

There are so many things to think about and things you should or shouldn’t do. 

Bullet 3:

3. PREPARING FOR THE BABY

   • Choose your care provider carefully. You’ll want to choose a care provider that you’re comfortable with and who you feel confident in.
   • Learn as much as you can about the birthing process. There are loads of resources available these days, including books, helpful articles, and even classes. 
   • Create a support network. Having a strong support network is crucial during pregnancy and childbirth. 
   • Build up your physical strength. Childbirth is physically demanding, so it’s important to do everything you can to build up your strength beforehand. 

Stay positive. It sounds clichéd, but staying positive throughout your pregnancy and childbirth experience is crucial. Remember that every situation is unique and that things may not always go according to plan—but that’s okay! The most important thing is that you and your baby are healthy and safe at the end of it all. 

Bullet 4: 

4.  NEWBORN CHECKLIST: WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER BIRTH

So, your little one has finally arrived! Congratulations! Now that the baby is here, it’s time to get adjusted to this new life stage. Here are some things you can expect in the first few weeks and months after your baby is born. 

• The First Few Days

  1. You will likely experience vaginal bleeding, which is normal. This will continue for four to six weeks post-birth. 
  2. Your breasts will swell and leak milk as they get ready to feed your baby. 
  3. You may feel weepy, anxious, or overwhelmed during this time—this is called the “baby blues” and affects up to 80% of new moms. 
  4. It is also normal to feel tired, both from the physical exertion of childbirth as well as from interrupted sleep while caring for a newborn. 

• The First Few Weeks 

During this time, your baby will be growing rapidly and changing every day. Here are some things to look out for: 

1. Babies usually lose 5-10% of their birth weight in the first week but should start gaining it back by two weeks old. 
2. Their skin may be dry and flaky due to exposure to the outside world after being in the womb for nine months. It may also be slightly yellow (jaundice). 
3. They will have their first bowel movement (meconium) within 24 hours of being born but will then have firmer stools later on. 
4. Newborns usually sleep 16-17 hours a day but wake up frequently to feed. 
5. They should have around six wet diapers a day (urinate at least once every four hours). 

• The First Few Months 

  1. Babies typically grow around 1 inch per month for the first six months and then an inch every two months until they reach one year old. They also gain 5-7 ounces each week until they reach four months old and then 3-5 ounces each week after that until they hit their first birthday. 
  2. Their eyesight also improves during this time and they should be able to follow moving objects and recognize familiar faces by two months old. They will also begin experimenting with making sounds (cooing) around this age. 
  3. At three months old, babies usually start sleeping through the night (for around five hours at a time). However, if your baby is not sleeping through the night yet, don’t worry—this milestone can take up to six months or even longer for some babies. Just make sure to talk to your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep patterns. 

Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming but remember that you’re not alone—millions of parents have gone through this before you and millions more will after you! Take things one day at a time and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. And pretty soon, caring for your little one will become second nature. Welcome to parenthood!

Want to know what type of Mom you are?

TAKE THE QUIZ!

Let’s go read what our Mommies have to say!