10 Things I Learned from Being Pregnant

Pregnancy can be a wild ride. It can be excited. It can be scary, but most of all, it is full of unknowns. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to relay a few tips that helped me during this new and exhilarating time.

1. Get the Clear Blue pregnancy test with the happy face instead of the one with the lines. There are a lot of times that a woman checks to see if she is pregnant, and her hormone levels aren’t high enough to be detected on the pregnancy test with the lines. However, I found that the test with the happy face is much more accurate and easier to read.

2. Stock up on diapers. If I could do it all over again, I would have given up some of my luxuries just to stock up on diapers. It’s crazy how fast babies go through these, and even though it might be your first instinct to go with name-brand diapers, try to go for generic diapers. During my experience, I found that the Walmart’s Parent’s Choice diapers were the best bet. Not only are they cheaper, but they don’t leak like some generic diapers do.

3. Buy unisex baby clothing. During our second pregnancy, we were told that we were having a boy, only to be told weeks later that we were having a girl. Don’t ask me how this happened. All I know is there are a lot of unisex outfits out there for babies, so make sure you don’t chance it. You will want to save every penny that you have.

4. Do not buy a ton of white outfits. Though these are cute, babies tend to be messy, and one explosive diaper could ruin an outfit for good.

5. Buy a crib, not just a bassinet, and set it up ahead of time. Bassinets usually only hold up to ten pounds, so they will only be useful for a couple of weeks. Therefore, by buying and setting up a crib ahead of time, you will be prepared for when that baby grows.

6. Buy a baby monitor. You wouldn’t believe how many times you will be tempted to check on your baby, and that is not a bad thing. However, save yourself some exercise and stress, and buy a baby monitor, so you can always keep an eye on your little one.

7. Sign-up for baby boxes. There are several companies that offer these sampler boxes for free (Walmart, Target, BuyBuy Baby, and more), and in some, you will get free pacifiers, free teething agents, and even free outfits. This is definitely worth the time, because it only adds to the items that you have when baby is finally here.

8. File for maternity/paternity leave prior to the due date, so that your paperwork is in line. This helps relieve the pressure closer to the date. Also, you may find that you want to take a week or two off before the due date just to prepare yourself for the event.

9. Sign-up for Baby Center. If anything else, this app just helps aid the anxiety that pregnancy can bring. It tracks the weeks of your pregnancy, and it shows you how your baby is growing. There is also a community on the app that you can interact with if you have any questions or just need the extra support.

10. Make sure that you prepare a baby bag ahead of time. There is no telling when that baby will come. There is only an estimate, so it is better to be prepared than to end up going to the hospital, only to find out that you will be required to stay there for three days without your personal items. Even if you call someone to bring these items, it can be overwhelming, and after having the baby, all you will want to do is relax, sleep, and bond with your child.

Hopefully, this helps you with your new bundle of joy. I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy and the luxury of sleep afterwards.