Being a parent can be a blessing. You’re bringing a new life into the world, one you get to look after and cherish for the rest of your life. However, there are going to be many changes coming your way, so it is best to start working on before your baby arrives.

Preparing for Baby

Once you find out you’re having a baby, it’s time to start preparing. There is a lot to do, and having a mobility challenge may only add to your list. Obviously, your doctor will have advice and instructions to help you care for your health and your baby. This may include extra vitamins, check-ups, and plenty of tests. You may want to take a class or buy a book on childbirth or go to a reliable forum to see what other people with your mobility challenge have gone through. Also, transform your coming baby’s room into a perfect sanctuary now while you have energy and more mobility. Pick out what your baby is going to need, and set up the room ahead of time. Then, you may want to safeguard your home. True, your baby won’t be able to crawl immediately, but once they arrive, you may not have time to make the necessary changes.

Modifying Your Home

If you have not modified your home to make mobility easier, now is the time to do it. For instance, if you have stairs leading up to your home, you may want to replace them with a ramp to make things easier on you. You could widen your doorways or use expandable hinges for your doors. Most likely, having a baby is going to cut back on your sleep and make accidents more probable. Help prevent them by getting rid of rugs and introducing skid-resistant flooring to prevent slips and falls. If you don’t need to replace your shower or bath, you might still want to install grab bars to make getting in and out easier, and providing stability to help bathe baby as they grow. If you have door knobs, swapping them for levers can make life so much easier.

Getting Support

Babies need constant care, and we may become overwhelmed if we don’t get a little help. Before you give birth, make sure you know upon whom you can rely for help. You may not be up to cooking, cleaning, or staying on top of other commitments. Ask your trusted friends and family if they can contribute by coming over and cooking a few meals for you or helping research good breastfeeding classes. Even asking your partner if they can make sure you get time alone with the baby, rather than entertaining guests and family. Having financial help can be a blessing during this time, as it could allow you to hire a maid service to come by every week and pick up around the house, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

Take Time for Yourself

This may seem like an impossibility, but it’s important to have a moment to yourself every day. You can keep your energy up by eating well and getting good rest at night. The better you look after yourself, the better you’ll be able to care for your family. Try to plan your day in such a way that you get at least 10 or 20 minutes to yourself. If you have difficulty thinking you deserve it, start replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. You deserve to feel good. You deserve a rest. It really is okay to look after yourself, even when you have a newborn baby to care for.

Having a mobility challenge can make things seem more difficult, so it’s important you get a support network straight away and start on any home modifications that can make your life easier. This should be a time of joy and love. There will be enough to worry over when your baby arrives.

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