Four Questions New Age Mothers Should Ask

Let's face it, pregnancy is going to be a complicated time of your life. Even when you already believe you know what to expect when you're expecting, there are so many questions that many mothers-to-be will have. Whether you are wondering which fun activities for first time mothers will help you prepare for your new arrival, you're worried about medications and vitamins, or you're concerned about encountering health risks, you want to be prepared and confident going into this life-changing event. If you have lingering questions about motherhood, here are some answers that should put you at ease.

Am I Pregnant? Can I get pregnant? 

It sounds silly, but the first question you will likely have after missing a cycle or feeling sick in the mornings is whether you are pregnant - or if recent stressors, new environmental changes, or simple fluctuations in your hormones might be to blame. Your body is amazing and can do incredible things, but all it takes is one minor change to throw everything into whack, and everything you thought you knew about yourself goes out the window. 

Fortunately, there are solutions to these questions, allowing you to get the answers you seek to put your mind at ease. You might start with a fertility test for women to make sure that you can get pregnant in the first place, then schedule an appointment with your regular gynecologist or OB-GYN to verify the results. Be sure to follow up with recommendations on neonatal vitamins and supplements to ensure that if you are pregnant, you have the best shot at keeping it.

What Should I Avoid While Pregnant?

Everyone knows that there are certain things you should avoid while carrying a child. Alcohol and other illicit substances are clearly out, as well as extreme sports and certain exercises. But did you know that many of the items sitting on your vanity are also out of the question? Hair dyes, tanning sprays, and certain other cosmetics can soak into your bloodstream and cause complications for pregnant women if used during gestation. 

Before you go get a deep tissue massage or spend a little time on the UV bed, remember that those can also be dangerous to your unborn child. And of course, paints and cleaning supplies are just flat out to be avoided. (Even if you and your future child aren't allergic, and the fume exposure wouldn't be harmful, let's be real - who wants to get stuck doing chores all day on top of also being pregnant and sustaining another life inside of you?)

That said, don't let pregnancy prevent you from doing other important things. Eating well, staying hydrated, and taking daily vitamins are vital while pregnant. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, but also to stay active and energetic while awake. Look into building up your relationships, such as by taking classes with other mothers, but also making time for romantic date nights with your partner and relaxation days on the town with your friends. And most importantly, remember to take care of your mental health! Even a hypothetical complication-free, riskless, perfect pregnancy is going to take a toll on your mind and overall well-being.

Which Questions Should I Be Asking?

There are no such things as stupid questions, especially when pregnancy and healthcare are the topics raised. Beyond the unexpected, there are multiple questions you should ask your family doctor about so that you can prepare in advance for your pregnancy. Some of these important questions you should bounce off your healthcare provider include:

• How much weight gain is normal during pregnancy, and how quickly can I expect to lose it? 

• Are my pregnancy symptoms normal and routine, or does anything I've described raise any flags? 

• When will my child be due, and which factors go into determining that? How often do pregnancies go past the "due date," or happen far earlier than anticipated? 

• Does any part of my medical history, from procedures I've had performed to hereditary defects to illnesses I've had treated, mean that I should approach this pregnancy differently than other mothers?

Set aside a lengthy amount of time to sit down with your healthcare providers and make sure that all of your questions are answered. Even if the question feels silly, it's better to be prepared with the answers before any complications can arise. Also, if you have loved ones helping you through this pregnancy, make sure they are in the loop with any answers you seek out and get to ask their questions, as well.

Is It Time To Make Lifestyle Changes?

Many of the changes that accompany pregnancy are actually quite positive. From the "mama glow" and awakening of dormant instincts, to things like experimenting with new foods and delights that you would have never even known about before the "cravings" hit, pregnancy is a life-changing event. Even the impacts that can feel negative, can be spun as positive once you remember that you are now the responsible adult in charge of making decisions for two lives.

Just as you continue to grow into motherhood even after you first hold your child, you will need to outgrow some of your old pastimes. If you are a smoker, drinker, or partaker, it's no longer just about you taking risks and living with them. Your passenger doesn't deserve to live with the risks and harms that accompany those decisions. Certain reckless and exciting decisions you made when younger and discovering yourself, may need to be shelved until you are done "grownup-ing." 

In short, your lifestyle is no longer just your own, and you need to question which activities and choices you want to continue even after getting pregnant, and which need to be set aside and pursued later, once this new chapter of your life is fully resolved. Motherhood is scary even for mothers with multiple children and decades of secret parenting wisdom, so you are bound to have many questions. Do not hesitate to ask them and by all means pursue the resources and information you'll need to succeed in your foray into fresh mommydom.