Three Tips For Expecting Parents

By Debbie Gagnon

So you're having your first baby? Congratulations. Here are the top 3 pieces of advice that can help you enjoy the whole 9 months to prepare for childbirth. The photos above should give you a clue.


First of all, you will hear everyone say, "you're eating for two!" Don't believe that... at least not the way you hear it. Yes, your appetite will increase, but you are not eating for two adults. You are eating for one adult and an unborn, growing baby that needs nutrition and good food. You need to eat like a healthy pregnant woman, not a ravenous wolf.

So, what should you eat? Eat the foods that your doctor says to eat. That's easy enough. Just make sure you are getting plenty of iron, taking your prenatal vitamins, and get plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein. You know, all that stuff that you would normally eat if you were eating a healthy diet. Also, eat more frequently throughout the day rather than just 3 big meals.

Not only will eating more healthy make your feel better and have more energy, but it will actually help you look better, make your skin more radient, and your face glow even more than it normally does when you're pregnant. And, if you're feeling healthy, your baby is probably feeling the same way inside too!

Second, you need to stay fit and get regular exercise. This is non-negotiable unless your doctor puts you on bed rest. Take a yoga pregnancy class. Get a pregnancy exercise DVD. Take nice walks (as long as you don't stray too far from a bathroom). You will need your strength throughout the entire nine months, but especially in the final trimester and for childbirth. Consider this physical training for what lies ahead.

Another huge reason to be exercising is that it will help you recover much faster after the delivery of your baby. Have you ever seen a woman who looks like they never had a baby shortly after theirs is born? Have you seen the opposite too? Also, just like eating healthy, you will look and feel better. In my opinion, nothing is more sexy and looks better than a pregnant woman who is fit and in shape.

My final tip, take time for you and your husband. If this is your first child, these are the final months when it is just the two of you. Take at least one vacation together. It doesn't have to be far. And a vacation doesn't mean a trip to visit family. Go out to eat once a week if you can afford it. Make sure you plan things out together, and that both of you have input into the birth plan, especially planning out the baby's room.

Make sure your husband gets to enjoy everything that is getting larger while you're pregnant. Buy some sexy maternity clothes. Donations and hand-me-downs are nice, but go buy something trendy, show your belly off, and let your husband see some cleavage (which should be more noticeable now) in a low cut maternity top. All I'm trying to say is, this is a wonderful time in your life as a husband and wife. Enjoy it and continue making memories together as a couple.

Debbie Gagnon has traveled throughout the U.S., Europe, and Africa. With her experience in educating others, she is one of the contributing authors of MyChildbirthGuide.com.