Meeting someone special and becoming a couple is one of life’s great pleasures. You fall in love, you might or might not get married, you end up living together. That’s the story, the modern love story, but then what next? For many couples, there is a strong desire to start a family. It can be one of the most exciting journeys you and your partner embark on. Children can lighten up your life; there is no doubt about that.

So what should you consider? Perhaps this is the first time you have decided to consider getting pregnant and having children. Do you know where to begin and most importantly how to ensure you give your family the best start in life? Many people focus on the pregnancy side of things and very little research goes into the preparation and what happens when the baby arrives. While starting a family is exciting, I thought it might be worth noting down some of those things you can do in the early stages. Giving you and your family the best possible start in life. If you are experiencing twin pregnancy symptoms, you’ll need to focus on these things even more.

Take care of your body

Let’s start at the beginning. The actual getting pregnant part. For some women, this can be easier said than done. Many women struggle to conceive, so if you find yourself not getting the results you want now is the time to relax. Nature needs to take it’s course. However, there are things you can do to help as much as possible. One of those things is taking care of your body. First and foremost you need to be taking some essential vitamins. It has been reported recently that buying branded multivitamins specifically for conceiving and being pregnant are a waste of money, you will need to make an informed choice of your own on this, but the two most important things your body does need are Folic Acid, and Vitamin D. Folic acid is very important for the development of a healthy baby. It encourages the maintenance of existing and new cells made in your body. You can take Folic acid tablets or look for natural sources in foods such as liver, green leafy vegetables and brown rice to name a few. You can find a list of other ingredients that you will find a good source of Folic acid online. Vitamin D is also important. It regulates the amount of Calcium in the body. Which is needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It is difficult to find Vitamin D in ingredients you would eat each day, so it may be recommended to take a supplement.

Another way you can take care of your body is to maintain any fitness you are doing. A good healthy lifestyle is important for a healthy pregnancy. If you aren’t already keeping your body hydrated now is the time to up the amount of water you drink. It is recommended to drink at least two litres of water each day. Not only can increased water intake help you sleep and improve mood, but it also has other benefits including skin care. Just take some extra care of your body during this time and give your body the best chance of conceiving. Getting ample rest and keeping a good lifestyle is important.

Prepare in advance for the arrival of your baby

Reading books can be useful, but for many women they tend to focus on pregnancy symptoms and the labour aspect. They forget all about once the baby arrives. Que confusing faces when a crying baby is placed in your arms. Maternal instinct has a lot to do with it, but it also helps to prepare in advance. Preparation doesn’t just mean learning how to change a nappy or finding amazing ways to sooth your baby. It can also mean preparing in regards to finances and the equipment your baby will need.

We all know that babies and young families cost. Let’s face it from the moment they are born until adulthood they will heavily rely on your finances. Saving as much money as possible is a great way to prepare in advance. A handy tip would be to start putting some money away each week the moment you decide to start a family. Of course, you won’t know how much time you will have to save, depending on how quickly you conceive, but you should at the very least get nine months worth of saving under your belt. In advance, you can work out what maternity leave you are going to want to take, and whether you decide to do the shared maternity on offer for fathers now. Knowing what your income will be will be a great indicator as to how much time you want to take. Each employer has their own guidelines so ask what they are so you know where you stand.

Make sure you get plenty of rest

What is going to be the most common thing you hear from others when you announce you are starting a family? The answer is sleep. Get lot’s of it! Prospective parents will be warned about sleep so often that you will wonder what the big deal is, but no one can explain about sleep until you are feeling sleep-deprived yourself. Children are commonly known as sleep thieves. Which is why you need to make the most out of the next few months and rest as much as you can. However, this advice does not just extend to the pregnancy but after the baby is born as well. Getting as much rest as possible, including sleeping when the baby sleeps, is going to be vital for your well-being, do it first time around, because as you have more children all of that is impossible!

Try and not let outsiders influence your decisions

When it comes to pregnancy, giving birth and a newborn baby, everyone has an opinion. You won’t escape people commenting on how you are doing things. This is because everyone of us handles situations in different ways. We all have our own instincts to follow. However new mothers can feel pressured into trying different things. This could be from breastfeeding or bottle feeding, right through to how you get your little one to sleep through the night. Everyone will have a tried and tested method. The best advice would be to listen. Sometimes this information can prove useful and beneficial, but mostly listen to your maternal instinct. It will be there. It just happens. You will know what is right for you and your baby. Try and not let outsiders influence any of your big decision. Do what you are comfortable with. If breastfeeding isn’t right for you, then that is fine. It should all be about a happy baby equaling to a happy mum and family.

Consider the area you live in and the future

Starting a family means decisions will need to be made about the future. With that means considering not just the pregnancy and newborn days, but beyond. What will happen when your child starts preschool and school? This is where you may need to consider the current area you live in. Applications for new schools happen around four to five months before a place is accepted. Often you have to provide proof of where you live. This is when thinking about this sooner rather than later will be of great benefit to you. This is an opportunity as changing areas or relocating could be great for your family and lifestyle. It’s worth outlining what you want now and making the necessary changes to get what you want. Using estate agents could play a vital role in helping you choose the right area and property. You can find more information sourced from Entwistle Green. It could be one of the best decisions you make ensuring your family as the best start.

Workout what you will do after the baby is born

Finally, starting a family presents you with difficult decisions. You consider your area and home; you think about your finances, but what about you? What do you do once the baby is born? You may be on maternity leave but what is next? This is where you need to make a decision on whether you return to work or become a stay at home parent? Or find a job that works around your new family dynamic. This might mean part time hours or something more flexible like working from home. It’s never an easy decision to make. Factors to consider would be your income, your way of life and childcare options. Many employers offer childcare vouchers that can help with the financial cost.

What you have to decide is what is right for you and your family. Again the whole principle is a happy mother equals a happy child. Will you be satisfied going back to work or reducing your hours? Will you be excited about being a homemaker? Or a combination of those things? There are many benefits to each option, and the best advice is to work out what you want to do from the heart. Ensuring you will give your family the best start, no matter what you decide to do.

Happy parenting!