It should come as no surprise that getting pregnant and having a child is a huge responsibility. There are countless different considerations to think about, such how your partner will be as a father, if you have the time and income to raise a child and if you’re ready to say goodbye to some of your current hobbies and passions.

Let’s face it; having a child is a huge ordeal that is full of challenges. While there’s a wonderful reward waiting for you at the end, some women just simply aren’t ready or aware of the responsibilities it involves.

So in this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most important mental and physical preparations you need to take before you consider getting pregnant.

Focus on your lifestyle by getting healthy and cutting out bad habits

A healthy you means a healthy baby. If you’re still drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking, drinking lots of coffee or even using drugs, you need to consider how it’ll affect your baby.

These kinds of substances and habits can make it harder for you to get pregnant and will also increase the chances of a miscarry. Since these are hard habits to break, we highly suggest that you get in touch with specialists that can help you cut bad habits to give you peace of mind when having a child.

You also need to focus on switching to a healthier diet and getting enough exercise to ensure your body is strong enough to handle a pregnancy.

See your doctor before you consider getting pregnant

It’s also important to see your doctor before you consider getting pregnant. They’ll likely discuss your current wellbeing, health history and also your family’s history.

Some health problems can be passed from parent to child, so this will be a concern that is covered by your genetic counsellor.

If you’re concerned about your chances of getting pregnant, you may be referred to an expert such as the IVF clinic, Advanced Fertility. These specialists can help you have a child if you’ve been diagnosed with having fertility problems.

In short, make sure you speak with your doctor before you consider getting pregnant as it may help to diagnose any potential issues.

Understanding the responsibilities of being a mother

Motherhood isn’t a phase in life that lasts a few years. It’s something that will permanently be with you as soon as you conceive a child.

Being a mother means spending a lot of time caring and looking after your child. This time doesn’t come for free. In fact, it’ll likely eat into the time you spend on things like hobbies, going out with friends and potentially even your passions.

Your child is heavily reliant on you for their wellbeing, so expect to spend a lot of time with them and less time with your friends and family members.

This is just part of the responsibility of becoming a mother and it’s usually one of the most challenging realizations to grasp. Of course, it helps that you will be completely besotted with your child!

Some mothers don’t want to spend any time away from their child, others will need a break. Everyone is different and there is no perfect way to do it.

Childcare arrangements

If childcare is something you have not considered before getting pregnant, it is something you may want to consider before the baby is due. Even if your little one is not likely to need it till later on when both you and your partner are back at work, being aware of what is available to you in your local area is always a smart move.

For parents in Australia, find the perfect child care setting can be a tricky and chaotic process. Enter Toddle: parents can use this service to find the most suitable child care in the area as well as shortlist their favourite and contact the centres directly. Learn more here about Toddle.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.