BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN — PREGNANCY
There are no guarantees that our children will turn out to be perfect — children are after all human! But, giving our children the best possible chance in life is what we all wish for as parents and there are certain things we can do, even before the birth, to prepare the road ahead and maximise our child’s chances of being healthy and well-adjusted.
Looking after yourself during pregnancy is the best start you can give your unborn child. This chapter does not try to be a complete guide to pregnancy and childbirth. It focuses on those aspects of pregnancy that are important to your child’s health.
Pregnancy is the ideal time to prepare for your baby’s arrival and for your approaching parenthood. After your baby is born you will be busy looking after both of you, as well as the rest of the family, in many cases. Take advantage of the time you may have before the baby is born to read about childbirth, babies and parenting. Talk to other parents, relatives, your doctor and your maternal and child health nurse to familiarise yourself with both the emotional and practical aspects of parenthood. Do some research and find out in advance what sort of services are available in your local area such as nappy wash services, creches, babysitters and home help.
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