Week 11: Time to think about learning how to do a proper squat.
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La Leche League is a more than 50 year old organization that provides peer support and help for breastfeeding women. Find out where the local LLL group meets in your area. You are welcome to visit a group before your baby is born to start making connections and learning about breastfeeding.
La Leche League
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Learn how to do a proper squat to strengthen the major muscles you'll need to birth your baby. Squatting is one of the best ways to prepare your pelvic floor for birth and lifelong health and continence.
About.com
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Make sure your calcium intake in sufficient for your own health and your developing your baby's needs. Aim for 1,000-1,500 mg per day. The March of Dimes is a great online resource for finding out the best foods to eat during pregnancy.
March of Dimes
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Limiting your caffeine during pregnancy is healthy for you and healthy for baby. Try to drink no more than one or two cups of coffee per day and make sure to follow it with plenty of water to stay hydrated.
March of Dimes
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A due date based on your last menstrual period is really a guess at when baby will be born. Less than 6% of babies are actually born on their due date.
Transition To Parenthood
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Many babies take longer than 40 weeks to fully cook. Think about apples ripening on the tree. Do all ripen at the same time? Not at all! Some babies require just 38 weeks to fully develop while others will need 41 weeks or more.
Medscape
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Ask your friends about their experiences with your maternity care provider. Find out what they liked and what they didn't like. You have plenty of time in your first trimester to find the care provider who is a perfect fit for you. Don't settle for a doctor or midwife you don't like.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
BirthWatch Recommends:
This is the one book I wish every woman would read before she gets too far into her prenatal appointments. This book takes you through the algorithmic thinking of doctors and shows you how it helps your doctor BE a better doctor if you ask lots of open-ended questions about your care, in particular tests, procedures and medical interventions. Remember, informed consent is your right, but YOU must ask for it.