Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time in life! It also takes work to give you and your baby the best possible start. Everyone has opinions about what pregnant mamas need in order to survive and thrive in pregnancy. Everything from fancy stretch mark creams and handmade soaps to favorite books and yoga poses. There are a million lists on the internet for moms to find. So why do we need another list? Because there are 3 simple things mamas *really* need for pregnancy. So, without further ado, here is my list of simple, but important, things you MUST have - according to Cheryl!
1. Good nutrition: Eating a variety of fresh, whole foods gives you and your baby the best! It doesn't have to be fancy foods, just foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Avoid foods that come out of boxes or packages whenever possible and limiting your sugar intake. Many moms decide to take a good quality,whole food prenatal vitamin that contains folate (as apposed to folic acid).
Something that make this easier for me is meal planning. If I shop and know what I'm supposed to make for dinner, we are more likely to eat a well-balanced meal than if I have to be creative and throw something together at 5:35 pm. Another thing I do is make a veggie tray that I can pull out at meals. I pre-wash and cut broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, etc. and put them in a tupperware tray that gets pulled out at dinner. We can eat them as is, dip in dressing, or add to our salads. This was a game changer for me. The effort upfront is worth it. I find that we eat them if they are sitting there ready for us!
2. Favorite water bottle: This sounds so simple and kind of silly, but this is a MUST. I drink more water when I drink out of my favorite water bottle. Mine has a soft, bendy straw because tipping up a cup is just way too much effort. HA! Find a bottle that makes drinking water fun. There are so many options out there so find one that you LOVE! Even if it costs more than you'd normally spend on a cup. Drinking plenty of water during pregnancy is very important. Dehydration can cause a host of problems. Time to go shop!
3. Access to good birth stories: We live in a culture that fears birth, pain, and the unknown. We can find scary stories every place we turn. I'll never understand why everyone wants to tell you about the bad thing that happened to so-and-so. You have to put all of that out of your mind and read GOOD birth stories! Stories of triumphant victories. Sweet, middle of night babes. Strong, warrior mamas. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Mama Birth Blog, Birth Without Fear Blog, the story of my last baby is here. Here are some really great birth videos to check out! These resources are a great place to start. Find your own inspiring stories that fill your soul with birthing power. It really is so important to have the right frame of mind when planning your birth. Great stories are a must!
Ok, so what did you think? I think my list is pretty great. Simple. Important. Preparing for birth is hard, serious work on every front. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. Prepare well, mamas!