Having a baby is an exciting time for new expecting mothers but it can also be scary for first time mothers. There are some very important things that you will need to do to prepare for the birth of your child and today we are going to discuss the steps you need to take in order to get ready for childbirth.
Find a Doctor
If you don’t already have an OBGYN doctor you will need to find one immediately. Proper prenatal care is imperative to you and your new baby’s health. If you have health insurance then all you will need to do is contact your health insurance provider and they will give you a list of all the OBGYN’s in your network. From there you will simply choose a doctor and make an appointment right away. If you don’t have health insurance and can’t afford it then you will need to apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is health insurance that provides medical care to you at no cost but you and applying is as easy as going on the internet. You will then be contacted by a representative and they will explain all of your options. A free clinic that is in the Medicaid network will help you every step of the way through your pregnancy. You can make your appointments at these free clinics and most of the times all of your lab work will be done there as well. The care that you will receive will be regulated by the government so you can rest assure that you will be getting the best care possible. Medicaid insurance will also cover you for three months after you have your child so that you can make sure you are fully recovered from childbirth. Furthermore, if you received Medicaid insurance throughout your pregnancy then your child will automatically qualify for the same insurance.
Get Baby Supplies
Your new baby will need tons of things that you will have to go out and buy such as diapers, bottles, clothes and a baby crib. If you are on a limited budget you can buy clothes, strollers and other baby items at thrift stores for a fraction of the cost of regular retailers. It’s also a good idea to have a baby shower so that you can get other items that you need such as diapers. These things can get quite expensive so you will need to start planning financially for these expenses right away. Formula can also be a really big expense so you might want to consider breastfeeding so that you won’t have to buy formula. In the event that you are unable to breastfeed there is another government program called WIC and they will buy all the formula that you baby needs with no money out of your pocket.
Pre-Register at the Hospital
A lot of first time mothers don’t think about doing this but pre-registering at the hospital is important. You usually do this about six weeks before your due date and it will take about an hour. You will do all of the necessary paperwork with the hospital so when you do go into labor you won’t have to worry about it. They will also give you a tour of the hospital so you will know exactly where to go and what to do if you go into labor unexpectedly. It will give you peace of mind and help you feel more at ease about the delivery of your new baby.
