first time mom

[gabby_baby]

I am a first time expectant mother. Everything that has to do with pregnancy is new to me. I am 8 weeks and 4 days along. Any words of advice? Things that I should know?

[gabby_baby]

Thanks girl! I am very excited with this being my first pregnancy. You all have given me great advice I really appreciate it.

[jenjenN86]

This it's my second pregnancy. People told me horror stories my first pregnancy! Dont be afraid to let people know, nicely, that they are freaking you out if you find yourself in that situation!

[MamaBear0612]

All of the above, especially the hydration, drink water as much as you can...I literally feel sick when I don't drink enough.

Be careful what you eat, the american pregnancy dot org has a good discussion of this and some good guidelines for you. Our immune systems are lower which means that we're more likely to get food poisoning, which can be really damaging to the baby. For the same reason try to stay away from germs as much as possible, and if you get sick, always ask your OB before you take any medicines. The same is true for some cosmetic products. I have the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book, it's a good basic pregnancy book, and you can also find some good information online from major pregnancy organizations.

And enjoy it, pregnancy is great. Congratulations! :)

[DanniNikole]

Hello there and congrats! I'm so happy for you. Motherhood is so special. I have been pregnant twice and unfortunately both ended in miscarriage but the experience is like no other.

At 8 weeks you're just getting started. There's really no need to worry about anything unless your doctor considers you high risk. Even then, stress is not good for you or your baby. The most that should be a concern right now is a proper diet, LOTS of water intake. You have to stay hydrated. Make sure to take your prenatal vitamins daily and it helps to take them with food at the same time everyday. Sometimes those vitamins can make you nauseous so I would take mine at night before bed with a small snack (apple, bananna, etc) so that way I get to lay down and I'm not up and about while feeling sick. That's something to think about. If your doctor hasn't prescribed any, you can get them at any retail department store or drug store. Natures Made is a good otc brand. So is Centrum.

Umm, lots of rest is important of course. I'm sure you feel tired most of the time as is. As far as breast tenderness, find a comfortable sports bra to wear at night. As your breast start to get bigger, it's crucial to have that extra support even when you're sleeping to prevent 1. Sagging later on in life 2. Pain and discomfort and 3. Supports your back as well as catches the fluid that might leak as you get further along in pregnancy.

Of course you should know no alcohol, smoking, excessive exercise, etc. No flying if you can help it. No x-rays or any exposure to radiation. No fish with high amounts of mercury in them.

Make sure to stay on top of dental hygiene. That's important because as your body is preparing to grow a new life, your immune system kind of lowers it's guard and focuses more on protecting the baby making you more prone to infections.

Those are the basic important things. If you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to help. Just let me know. =)

Congrats again.

[Lesley27]

I reccomend reading a lot... i had what to expect when expecting and used it for all my questions... plus its nice to read what going on each week, you can also sign up for lots of emails that automatically follow you along with your progress... if you have a smart phone there are free apps that you can get... including what to expect when expecting :) congrats and good luck :)

[proudmommyandwife]

Get alot of rest, drink plenty of water and take it easy