3 things you need to know before you get pregnant

In the meantime, I am at an age where many friends are about to get married or start a family. Now that I can speak from experience about both topics, I only find it fun when friends call me for the best bridal boutique, the perfect florist, or the ultimate baby tips. I am absolutely no expert and find it incredibly annoying when people throw unsolicited advice at me, but when specifically asked, I am happy to provide useful information. For example, Amayzine asked if I have a few nice tips in preparation for pregnancy, and of course, I gladly come up with a nice list.

1. Do you already have friends with little ones? Ask one or two for advice, those whom you think share the same views as you. This way, you can more easily filter out all the other well-meaning advice and put these ladies on speed dial for all your pressing questions. And believe me: there are more than you can think of in advance: from questions about gynecologists to pregnancy ailments and baby gear. Sometimes I was on the phone multiple times a day, and each time I received answers to all my questions with a lot of patience and attention. This way, you immediately feel a lot less alone in this life-changing, ultra-exciting process.
2. Start immediately with a good multivitamin. You have probably heard of folic acid if you have already dived into the ‘pregnancy material’. The moment we wanted to fulfill our wish for a child, I immediately started taking a good multivitamin with folic acid and Omega-3 fish oil. Folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida, provided you take it at least a month before and three months after conception. So start on time.
3. Don't read too much ‘professional literature’. At first, I bought a stack of books so that I would be well-prepared to ‘go into battle’. But believe me: sometimes it's nice not to know everything in advance. I read about all possible complications, intense birth stories, and dangers of baby cribs. I can well imagine that for some, this works more like very effective contraception. In the end, I only finished one book (‘Gunpowder with Mice’) and asked everything else to my mom friends. And if I have learned anything: a pregnancy and a baby cannot be dictated by books and rules, so fully preparing for what awaits you is a utopia.