When you become a parent, you know that you accept to be responsible for a life, until this life is old enough to look after itself. Needless to say, if your home was a place of hazards before you had a child, things could change dramatically from the moment the magical words appear on the pregnancy test. There are, naturally, plenty of parental duties that are new and that you must learn, starting with changing nappies – and let’s be clear on that one; you are going to have a few accidents before your master this skill – to understanding the needs of your baby – crying being their only form of communication, it’s expected you may not get them immediately. But one factor remains constant in your parenting life, and this is SAFETY. Indeed, you want the very best for your child. Consequently, you want to ensure that they can go through life without having to worry about health hazards, debilitating illnesses or even predators in the outside world.
Your safety as a pregnant woman
The safety of your future baby starts with your own during the pregnancy. Indeed, what you eat and how you approach this period of your life affects your unborn child. As a result, it’s not uncommon for people who had unhealthy habits to put them on hold during the pregnancy, such as smoking for instance. However, aside from developing healthy habits and eating the right kind of food, a future mommy although needs to look after her mental health. Indeed, pregnancy is a hormonal roller coaster, and as a result, it can affect your mood dramatically. You need to ensure that you are surrounded by supportive relatives and friends while you’re going through this difficult period. Indeed, there is such a thing as prenatal depression which can be difficult to cope with.
The safety of your fetus
Among the healthy habits mentioned above, what you can and can’t eat during your pregnancy is one of the biggest topics of discussion for women. Ultimately, there are plenty of potentially risky foods that you should avoid for the sake of your fetus. For a start, it is important to understand that when you’re pregnant, you don’t need to eat for two. This can result in carrying excessive weight, which will generate possible birth and pregnancy complications. In fact, you only need to up your diet by 300 to 500 calories per day during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. You need nutritious food to support the growth of your baby. This includes dairy products, legumes, sweet potatoes, salmon, eggs, dark leafy greens, lean meat, fish liver oil, berries, whole grains, avocados, dried fruits, and of course plenty of water. As a rule of the thumb, you should drink 1.5L more when you’re pregnant.
A safe delivery
Giving birth is a life-changing moment. But for first-time mothers, it is a scary time. But there are things you can do to make sure that the delivery goes as ‘smoothly’ as possible. First of all, you need to keep your body fit with gentle exercises throughout the pregnancy, as going into labor is hard work. It is useful to do your research ahead of the big day so that you know the pros and cons of every delivery method and the relevant pain relief tips. This can help you to feel more in control. A positive mindset can make a great deal of difference to go through the labor calmly.
The safety of your child at home
Once your baby is born, you reach the next step of safety, which consists in preparing your home with a handful of childproofing tips. Indeed, babies grow up very quickly, and soon you’ll have an energetic toddler exploring the home. It’s essential that you remove all potential risk from your household. Any edible or drinkable product and medicine should be kept away. It’s also a good idea to set the max temperature of your water heater to 120°F so that your child doesn’t accidentally get burned while playing with the faucets. And finally, you shouldn’t leave any accessible window without a window guard.
The safety of your child in the outside world
Last, but not least, you also need to take into account the risks of the outside world. As a result, more and more parents are refraining from posting pictures of their children on social media. Indeed, your post could be misused and repurposed to bully your children when they get to school age. Additionally, a cute photo of your toddler might impact on their future: Nothing disappears from the Internet.
Keeping your child safe is a long-term dedication for all parents. It starts from the days you discover you’re pregnant and evolves throughout the life of your child. Safety first is all that matters, safe from unwanted birth conditions, safe from house hazards and safe from external predators.
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