The Knowledge

This article is the last bit of wisdom we wish to share with the world. After this, everything revolves around Madison!

You will find so much advice out there that it can be overwhelming. Below are things i've found to be most helpful during the pregnancy and it may be different for other women. There is so much more advice to give but what is below is relevant to every woman in her child-bearing years, whether you are a first time mom or veteran!

1. Take Vitamins! - You are not superwomen and your body needs help. You are creating a new life and should respect that brand new life as though it were your own. Never take your pregnancy lightly, start with vitamins as soon as you begin planning or know that you are pregnant. God certainly didn't take any shortcuts when he made you and me, so don't do it to your baby.

2. Watch your weight gain! - Studies show a mothers weight gain during pregnancy will affect the fetus. Too much or too little weight gain by the mother can hurt the child causing problems in later life, such as high blood pressure and increased chances for a number of heart complications. Your weight gain should be based on your BMI at the start of your pregnancy (do not follow the average).

3. Exercise! - 2 kinds of exercise are important. One is the general walking and staying active. Moving around and keeping your stamina high is important at each new trimester, do lots of walking but avoid running you are not a runner to begin with. The second kind of exercise is the specific type where you focus on movements that strengthen the back and pelvic floor. Both of these kinds of exercise come in handy when delivering the baby and pushing that huge head thru your birth canal!

4. Read! - Always be aware of what is happening at each stage in the pregnancy (preferably before it happens). This is important for preparing you mentally and your body will react better - its the power of the mind! Give your mind a little information and watch it cope and do amazing things! Don't be one of those women that just rely on their doctor for information. There is so much you can learn on your own, this is a journey. I'm not asking you to write a paper or thesis on your pregnancy but do the basic reading at least for your baby's sake! You will feel empowered during the pregnancy and gain a deeper connection with the baby as well.

5. Ask a million questions! Ask your doctor, even if you know the answer because you consulted your best friend Google and every pregnancy website out there. Your doctor has seen more pregnancies and deliveries than you will see in your lifetime (unless you happen to be an OBGYN). He/She does have good information to offer and can explain things in a way that the internet failed. However, if the doctor does say something that goes agains your values or beliefs, just take it with a grain of salt and move on. Remember, combining information from your doctor AND other resources will be the best because your doctor will not tell you everything, firstly because there is too much to tell and secondly because he/she would not know what is specifically important or relevant to you.

6. Don't over google! In addition to point 4, be very carful to take in only enough information. There is a way to over do it (believe me I know). Remember, there are plenty of conflicting arguments out there for different things, talking about different research and so on. What is important is to look at the source and year of publication. Make sure what you are reading is up to date with the times. But at the end of the day, make decisions are that comfortable for you, the baby and your spouse, even if it is different from what your friends say (keeping in mind every pregnancy is different).

7. Share Everything! Some women think that because they are carrying the baby, their spouse has no role to play. This could not be farther from the truth. From the beginning, your spouse should be involved in the joy, research, decision making and even attend doctor visits! You may think you can do it alone but there comes a point in the pregnancy where you will need support. Hence the reason God made the pleasure of baby making to involve 2 people :) In fact, pregnancy can bring you and your spouse together to a whole new level making you a stronger couple. Just remember, that although sometimes he may not show interest (a trait men lack) does not mean he doesn't care.

8. Join an Online Community! I couldn't have imagined going through this pregnancy without other women who were also pregnant and going thru the same thing. Even more importantly, join a group of women who are due in the same month as you. Even though you may have slightly different experiences or symptoms, you are still at the same stage as them and can relate. Joining an online community of pregnant women also means you will get a good combination of first time mothers and women with children already. The benefit to having first time mothers in the group is that they will ask questions you forget to ask or are to shy to ask. With experienced mothers in the group they can share previous experiences and have lots of good information to offer (including baby brands that are good or stretch mark cream that doesn't work)!

9. Stay positive! This is easier said than done some days, but it is probably the most crucial. If you can maintain a healthy, positive attitude about your pregnancy no matter how challenging the changes and symptoms become, you will have an easier pregnancy altogether. Things to do to stay positive are joining an online community of pregnant women, involving your husband for support and understanding the changes as they occur. Remember, when you think things are bad, they can still  get worse, so be thankful for your situation!

10. Rinse and Repeat! You may not fully master all these skills or understand this information right away but it will slowly come to you as you progress thru your pregnancy. This is your journey. Take note of the things you liked and disliked and share your experiences with other as you have heard other share with you.