Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

The importance of your pregnancy diet cannot be underestimated - it's one of the first things you should look into when you fall pregnant.

Plan for balanced prenatal nutrition - I've provided this guide to great food chocies. I've also provided advice and precautions for a vegetarian pregnancy diet and a vegan pregnancy diet. All deserve your careful planning and attention.

You don't need to stuff yourself but you do need to eat enough to grow a baby, nourish yourself, and replace cells, fluids, and blood for yourself and your child daily. Be sure you're getting the best nutritional bang for your buck! It's possible even if you're suffering from morning sickness.

Try and relax your concerns about pregnancy weight gain so that you can give your baby the best start. Prenatal vitamins through your pregnancy week by week give you extra insurance, but it is vital that you focus on the best prenatal nutrition possible.

Your Prenatal Care

Another choice you make when you're newly pregnant is about your prenatal care. Who will see you throughout your pregnancy week by week? Remember this person will probably influence where you give birth and how your birth goes so research carefully!

Looking for a childbirth course that will prepare you for a good birth - at the hospital, home, or birth center? The Pink Kit teaches you to work with your birthing body - no matter where you choose to give birth!

During pregnancy you can see an obstetrician or you can continue to see your family doctor (if he or she does prenatal care). You'll want to take some questions to ask a prospective doctor to your first meeting. It's also be helpful to review what your appointments may be like.

An increasingly popular option for your prenatal care is using a midwife. Midwives offer a level of involvement and intimate care that you'll love during your pregnancy. Put together a list of questions to ask your prospective midwife and learn what your appointments with her will be like. A midwife is an excellent option if you want a home birth or a birth center birth!

You'll be offered many prenatal tests throughout your pregnancy week by week. I strongly recommend that you research all tests and procedures offered - including Amniocentesis - and examine your feelings about each one - make the choices right for you and your baby.

Some women choose to take complete responsibility for their own prenatal care and guide themselves through pregnancy week by week. They also take responsibility for their own birth - this is called unassisted prenatal care (UP) and unassisted childbirth (UC).

Enjoying Your Pregnancy

Taking care of yourself during pregnancy week by week benefits both you and baby. Don't feel guilty about pampering yourself! This can be tough, especially if you have a busy work schedule or other children, but the benefits are great.

Make time for some moderate exercise such as prenatal yoga and eat well. A daily nap is also a good idea. If you find napping hard, try listening to a guided relaxation. This will be good conditioning for natural birth relaxation too.

Common pregnancy complaints can make it hard to be happy about pregnancy week by week. You may also have ambivalent feelings - these are normal!

Enjoy a cup of tea or get a foot massage to relax ;)

An emergency or natural disaster can happen any time. Make sure you've planned for emergencies during pregnancy.

I highly recommend the birth stories in Spiritual Midwifery - they will comfort and empower you throughout pregnancy!

Intimacy during pregnancy can be very enjoyable - and sometimes tricky - read more about sex during pregnancy.

If you find you're worrying during pregnancy talk to your midwife, doctor, partner, or anyone who you can trust. Research your worries. A good childbirth course can also help prepare you for birth and ease worries. Take a look at the natural birth pages as you begin your birth research.

Depression in pregnancy is being acknowledged more and more by professionals. Don't feel guilty if you have conflicting feelings or even sadness about your pregnancy. These feelings are normal. Seek help if you feel consistently depressed - it's not something to be ashamed of.

More Pregnancy Articles

• What does Your Rh Status Mean? You should definitely read this if you are Rh-!
• Baby Positions in the Womb (remember positions can change throughout pregnancy week by week, but this article will give you a good overview of the possible positions)
• Turning Your Breech Baby
• Maternity Wear
• Bleeding During Pregnancy
• Baby Gear list
• Choosing Your Baby's Name
• Planning a Blessingway
• Read birth stories as you prepare for the natural birth of your baby.

  Some women like to read a new birth story each week as they read what's happening with their pregnancy week by week. Others like to wait until they get close to the end of their pregnancy. But reading good natural birth stories can be heartwarming and empowering!

• Take the Birth Survey -- help me improve this page!