Women’s bodies are made to get pregnant, carry and birth babies but that doesn’t mean that women don’t have to e incredibly strong to complete the task. The hormone fluctuations, weight gain, cravings and nausea alone would convince some people that child bearing isn’t worth it. Then there is labor, delivery and aftercare. The female body and mind are put through so many changes and endure stress that is sometimes overlooked by partners or even society. Women, therefore, should be given assistance and have access to the resources they need during this time in their lives. Whether it’s labor coaching classes in Arizona or free pregnancy tests in Illinois, everyone needs to be supportive of pregnant women as they bring the next generation to life.

Basics

Maybe you’ve never had the opportunity to be around pregnant women before and so, you don’t know what they need and how to support them. Being the responsible citizen you are, though, you’d like to educate yourself on this topic. Great idea! You don’t have to devour a bunch of pregnancy books to find out what you need to know, though. Approach the concept with some common sense. Every woman who’s ever been pregnant has a story about other people being unintentionally offensive to them. Just a few tips here, people.

  • Don’t touch a pregnant woman’s belly without her consent. That’s just rude.
  • If you’re not 100% sure she’s pregnant, don’t ask her due date. Women come in all shapes and sizes. They’re not all pregnant just because they carry their weight differently than a stick-thin supermodel.
  • Don’t offer unsolicited advice or make judgments about a pregnant woman’s activities unless you’re her doctor or partner.

First Timers

What if you find out you or your partner is expecting? Well, then, you definitely need to educate yourself beyond the basics. First, get confirmation from a clinic or a doctor. The at-home pregnancy tests are very accurate and once your pregnancy is confirmed,  you’ll need to be under the care of a medical professional for the duration of the pregnancy. Think about the type of care you’d like to have. Most women still go to a clinic or to their obstetrician/gynecologist for prenatal care. You can also choose to see a midwife or doula.

Your body will change quite a bit as you nourish the little one in your womb. Most women take a prenatal vitamin supplement to help. Others keep to a strict diet. You may need to be prescribed anti-nausea medication or you may try time-tested remedies like ginger and mint teas to help settle your stomach. Don’t forget exercise, though. Women who moderately exercise through their pregnancies have reported an easier time in labor and delivery because their bodies are stronger than those who don’t exercise. Talk to your medical professional about what you can do. Most will tell you walking, stretching, swimming and yoga are fine, but some women have even continued running and weight training while pregnant.

Pregnancy can be exciting and scary. Ensure your doing the best for yourself and your baby by getting the help you need.