It's happening right now. The pregnancy test came out positive, and you're expecting your first child. Are you prepared to become a mother? When do you think you'll be due? What are your plans for her name? Is she going to be she or he, then?

 

When you're pregnant for the first time, you're likely to have a lot of questions. People will tell first-time mothers that the nine months of pregnancy will be the most fulfilling of their lives—which they will, of course. But they will also be some of the most confusing and challenging. That’s life.

 

The best pregnancy advice we can give to first-timers is to learn everything you can about the path you're about to take. To help you relax, we've compiled a list of the top nine pregnancy tips for first-time moms to help you emotionally and physically prepare for this incredible journey. We've got you covered on everything you need to know about this transition to motherhood, from changing your diet to taking a gender prediction test.

 

 

Eat Right For Two!

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone knows that a healthy diet is a key to a happy body, which applies double-time during pregnancy. Every mama-to-be needs to develop healthy eating habits as soon as possible.

Here are some healthy suggestions for the next 9 months:

 

1. Start your day with a balanced and nutrient-rich breakfast. If you have morning sickness, it's important to replace the nutrients you've lost. Try eating whole-wheat bread or toast, which are bland and have no intense aromas.                                                                                                                      
2. If you are hungry between meals, don’t worry about your weight. Have a protein-rich, nutritious snack You must eat when you and your fetus is hungry.                                                                                                                                                                    
3. Go straight to the source. Replace processed foods with whole foods in your diet. Nutrients for you and your developing fetus can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and poultry.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
4. Get fishy with it. Cooked and raw fish are both high-quality proteins rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B- and D-vitamins. Choose fish that are low in mercury, such as salmon, catfish, or shrimp.                                                                                                                                                                                                        
5. Eat enough fiber. Trust us on this one; the fiber will help to avoid uncomfortable digestive issues during your pregnancy.                                                                                                                             
6. Eat foods high in folic acid, as this nutrient is essential to your fetus’s development. Some great options are legumes, asparagus, eggs, beets, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds.                                                                                               

• • Is it possible to consume too much folic acid? 
    Yes, you can strive not to reach 1,000 micrograms per day in most situations. This, however, only refers to goods produced by humans, such as fortified cereals and multivitamins. There's no such thing as too much natural whole food. You can’t get too much from natural whole foods.                                                                                                                                                                                              

When it comes to the adage, "You're eating for two now," don't use it as an excuse to overeat. You just need to eat 100 extra calories a day during your first trimester, and 300 extra calories per day during your second and third trimesters. You can use tools like a pregnancy weight gain calculator to find and match your target weight range weekly.

 

 

 

Treat Yourself to Pregnancy Cravings

 

 

 

 

 

 

One final thought on healthy eating: Let’s talk about pregnancy cravings. You may or may not want to dip your pickles in ketchup straight from the jar. Your craving might include an occasional drive-thru run at your local fast food joint. Healthy eating doesn’t mean restricting your indulgences. It’s just something to be mindful of as a daily practice.

You’re pregnant. Indulge now and again!

 

 

 

Supplement Your Diet with Essential Vitamins and Minerals

 

 

 

 

 

To ensure that your fetus is getting all the nutrients they need for healthy development, you may supplement your diet with essential prenatal vitamins and minerals. Taking supplements and prenatal vitamins, first and foremost, should be a conversation with your doctor, who can help you determine the best course of action for prenatal care. Be sure to schedule specific times to check up and consult with your doctor throughout your pregnancy. After all, staying in contact with your doctor is a must for any pregnancy checklist, whether you’re a new mom or not. 

 

Karihome Mama Milk Dual protection

 

Complete Maternal Nutrition - Stronger Children

Karihome is a premium goat milk formula brand that is fully manufactured & imported from New Zealand. Karihome Mama Goat Milk Formula contains key nutrients required by pregnant and nursing mothers such as folate, calcium and DHA. Goat milk is gentler on the stomach and it provides complete nutrition for mothers and children.

 

 8 KEY NUTRIENTS FOR MOTHERS

 

1. Goat Milk Protein - Easier to be digested compare to cow milk, cleanse and maintain healthy digestion

 

2. Folate - Key nutrient for fetal growth. Crucial for brain and nervous system development.

 

3. Choline - Stimulate brain development

 

4. DHA – Helps in mental development of fetus, also increase the DHA content of breastmilk for nursing mothers

 

5. Calcium – Key nutrient for healthy bone development for fetus, also supplement loss calcium for mothers to prevent osteoporosis

 

6. Iron  –  Key component for red blood cell formation, also supplement energy for mothers

 

7. Zinc -  Helps in ensuring optimal growth of fetus, also improves appetite for mothers

 

8. Multivitamins – Stimulate brain and eye development, provide antioxidant, anti-aging properties for mothers 2

 

UNIQUE BENEFIT Karihome Mama Milk

 

1- Gentle On Stomach, Easy For Digestion

Formulated with pure goat milk from New Zealand, Karihome goat milk protein is only 1/3 of the size of regular cow milk protein.

 

2 - Rich In Natural Nutrition

Karihome Mama Goat Milk is formulated with unique manufacturing process.

Determine to preserves the natural goodness of goat milk, Karihome Mama Milk is formulated under mild heating process.

 

3 - Maintain Beautiful Complexion

Goat milk is rich in natural vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc which helps moisturizes and maintain healthy complexion.

Goat milk is rich in medium chain fatty acids (MUFA / MCT) which is easier to digest and has lesser calories.

 

4 - Reduce Inflammation

Goat milk is proven to reduce the release of inflammatory cells which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and artery congestion. 

 

5 - Boost Immune System

Goat milk can also boost our immune system and reduce the risk of contracting fever and cold for pregnant mothers. This is because goat milk is high in nucleotides and sialic acid which can stimulate our immune system to work more effeciently. 

 

 

Pregnancy Isn’t an Excuse to Skip the Gym.

 

There’s an idea that as soon as a woman becomes pregnant, she must stick to light cardio exercises and yoga. This isn’t true at all. Take the case of Amy Keil, who finished the Boston Marathon while 7½ months pregnant. Lizette Perez finished the same marathon one month and five days before her due date.

This isn’t to say you should start running twenty miles every day and be pumping the iron between childbirth classes, but it shows that pregnant women are tough.

 

Body Specific Exercises

 

Getting in a good sweat will not only make you feel better physically and mentally, but exercise also helps to remove unwanted toxins from your body. As your pregnancy progresses, your exercise plan may be modified. You might find that you have heartburn while doing burpees or that your belly gets in the way of crow pose.

 

If you were inactive before becoming pregnant, now is a great time to enjoy light- to medium-level cardio exercises. Shoot for at least 30 minutes each day, with activities such as:

• Walking
• Light jogging or hiking
• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Yoga
• Stretching

You may want to consider joining an exercise class, like prenatal yoga, that’s focused on soon-to-be moms. These courses will help you stay healthy and prepare your body for childbirth while also allowing you to bond with other women going through the same journey.

 

 

Enroll in a Childbirth Class

 

 

 

 

Enrolling in a childbirth class will provide a deeper understanding of pregnancy. It will also be a safe place to address the often unspoken aspects of childbirth:

 

• Common fears about pregnancy                                                   
• Stages of labor and delivery                                                                         
• Handling pain                                                                                            
• Managing postpartum depression                                                              
• Parenting advice                                                                                   
• Preparing for newborn care                                                                       
• Overall comprehensive advice for first-time pregnant moms

 

Plus, just like a pregnancy-focused exercise class, childbirth classes will allow you to bond with other soon-to-be moms.

 

Know More About Your Child Sooner With an Early Gender Test

 

 

Many parents cannot wait to know the gender of their new child. And with how modern technology has progressed, now there’s no reason you have to wait. The SneakPeek early gender blood test offers new moms the ability to know their little one’s gender at 8 weeks. The best part? The test can be taken from the comfort of your home. If you’re eager to start planning your gender reveal or want to know for yourself, why not take an early gender test? Knowing your fetus’s gender early will give you plenty of time to prepare for anything you would need before their birth.

 

 

Pre-shopping For You and Your Child

 

 

It’s well understood how costly it is to raise children. And those expenses start rolling in almost immediately.

During your first trimester, you might need some essentials, such as:

•    Prenatal vitamins, heartburn medication, Tylenol
•    Pregnancy books
•    Good moisturizer

In the second trimester, consider these shopping needs: 

•    Comfortable sneakers
•    Maternity clothes
•    Body pillow

Finally, as the special moment approaches, during your third trimester, you might consider buying:

•    Car seat
•    Newborn care equipment (diapers, bottles, layette, onesies, etc.)
•    Crib and mobile
•    Breast pump, breast pump bra, and breastfeeding pillow
•    Parenting books

And these are just the necessities of things to do before the child arrives. This doesn’t include the treat-your-self shopping that all new mothers deserve.  

 

 

Namaste Right Here

 

 

Meditation has become a popular tool for navigating stressful and challenging times. It helps people center themselves when times are good or bad.

 

Because pregnancy will be an emotional rollercoaster—one filled with the highest of highs and their counterparts—it’s important to be prepared mentally so that you are ready for the child.

 

Meditation can be a grounding practice to include for your mental health in your journey. With pregnancy apps like Mind The Bump, you can find guided meditation specifically catered to soon-to-be-moms.

 

Protect Your Skin

 

 

As your body goes through changes, it’s important to remember your largest organ—your skin. Be sure to never go anywhere without these two essential skin protectors:

 

•    Moisturizing lotion – As your midsection expands, your skin will stretch to meet your growing fetus’s demands, and stretch marks will naturally appear. Having a moisturizing lotion on hand can help keep your skin smooth and flexible during the entire pregnancy.                                                                                                                                                                                     
•    Sunscreen – Your skin will also be more sensitive during this period of your life. Be sure always to use sunscreen to avoid excessive radiation from the sun.

Also, try to find moisturizers and sunscreens made with natural ingredients (instead of harsh chemicals).                                                               

Rest and Relaxation

 

 

You’re pregnant now. This comes with a free get-out-of-heavy-lifting card. It also means you should avoid working long, stressful hours. Shoot for 8-10 hours of sleep each night and try to set a daily routine and stick to it.

And, of course, the relaxation also includes the occasional pamper time. There’s never been a better excuse for a massage and facial. (Seriously, paint your toenails while you can still reach them.)

Ahem, it’s good for the fetus.

 

Breathe. Enjoy the Experience 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This could very well be the tenth tip on this list. During the hectic and exciting times of life, people often forget to take a step back and soak at the moment. You’re pregnant! This is wonderful news worth celebrating.

 

So breathe. Complain when you have to complain. Blow off steam when you have to blow off steam. Treat yourself to a professional pampering now and again, and yes, eat that extra slice of pizza.

 

Enjoy the first-time mom pregnancy experience. These 9 months will be truly unforgettable.