If you are having the baby talk with your partner, then you may need to ask yourself these top questions before you try and conceive. If you do, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to come to the right conclusion for your family.
How are you Going to Try for a Baby?
Some people prefer to track things such as ovulation, but others prefer to just see what happens. The last thing that you want is to disagree on how you are going to move forward, so talk things out and make sure that you are both happy with your approach. There are bound to be compromises between your two points of view, but at the same time, it’s vital that you make sure that you are both 100% happy at all times. If you are going to go through egg retrieval recovery then now is the time to really discuss that with your partner so you are both prepared.
Are your Finances Stable?
Babies are expensive, there’s no doubt about that. You should however be discussing whether or not one of you is going to stay home. You may also want to discuss the idea of day care. It may be that the baby ends up staying with a family member or that you hire a nanny. Either way, these are all expensive options. If you can make sure that you have a realistic view of everything, then this can give you a good incentive to save. If you do settle on the idea of day care, then remember that a lot of them have very long waiting lists. This is especially the case with infant care. The policies will also vary, so if you have your eye on a particular place then make sure that you explore the idea of getting on the waiting list as soon as possible. Now may be a good time for you to redo your budget, as there may be things that you can no longer afford for the both of you. This can include lavish gifts or even expensive shoes. If you can come to terms with how you want to spend your money before and after your baby is born, then this will help you to get on the same page with one another.
What is the Maternity Policy Like for your Place of Work?
It’s well worth looking into this now so that you have a good idea of how much time you are going to be allowed off. You also need to explore what your pay is going to be when you go on leave. Maternity policies tend to vary quite a lot so you need to try and make sure that you know what the rules are for your company. It’s a good idea for you to check out the paternity policy so that you can find out what the rules are with this. If you can get paternity leave, it may be wise to time this with when you go back to work, so that your partner can stay at home. If you have a seasonal profession such as a teacher, then it can benefit you to plan your birth around this.
How’s your Relationship Right Now?
If your relationship has been very rocky for quite some time, then you need to see a counsellor. Don’t go into your pregnancy thinking that a baby is going to solve anything or improve your relationship. It may well bring you closer, but at the same time when your baby arrives, there will be a lot to think about and there will also be a lot of work that needs to be done. You need to have solid communication skills and you also need to be able to negotiate. If your relationship is going through a serious snag, then you may want to rethink your idea of having a baby. If you don’t then this could lead to bigger problems in the future.
Are you Both Ready to do Chores?
Some people joke that they are never going to be the ones who are changing nappies, but now is the time for you to find out how serious this is. You need to do this before your baby arrives. It’s a very good idea to discuss the idea of midnight feedings too, so you can find out who is going to be doing the laundry and who is going to be doing the runs to the store late at night. It’s helpful for you to look at any household tasks that may seem to double when you welcome a baby into your household too.
Are you Prepared to Give up “You” Time?
Motherhood really is one of the most selfless jobs that you will ever have to do. It is something that you have to be prepared for. If you are not quite ready to give up hours for your friends or even time in the gym, then you may want to reconsider if having a baby is going to be the right thing for you. It may be that you have some life goals that you want to achieve or even that you intend to travel the world.
What Religion do you Want your Baby To Follow?
If you follow a religion, or if your partner does then it may be worth having a conversation regarding this. You need to discuss what faith you want your baby to be raised in and you also need to talk about any ceremonies that may well accompany this.
Are you Going to have to Move?
Tiny babies might not take up much space at all, but the stuff you’ll need to care for them will take up your entire home. You need to discuss whether you need to move into a bigger home and when you would like this to happen. At the end of the day, nobody wants to be packing up a kitchen when heavily pregnant. Things like this may not seem important, but when you have a baby on the way, you will soon find that they are more important than ever to talk about.
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