The idea of having a baby can be very exciting. Being pregnant can be thrilling, joyous journey that every woman is prepared to take. However, getting pregnant can also cause anxiety, confusion and a lot of questions and concerns. Planning your pregnancy is one of the most major life decisions a couple should take and it should be planned carefully.

Here are some helpful lists of information to help you and your partner when you are considering taking the first step in expanding your family.

1. Check Your Health.

Check your physical condition before you become pregnant. It is important to identify your health habits, lifestyle and health status before planning to have a baby. This is to ensure that you will have a healthy baby. If your are planning to become pregnant, check a pregnancy chart and take a look at prenatal risk assessment chart to check if you are at risk or is facing any potential problems once you get pregnant.

Don’t keep your concerns to yourself. If you have any questions about your health or if you want more information on how to plan your pregnancy, visit your doctor right away.
If you are not sure what to ask, this checklist may help you start an informational talk with your doctor.

-Your immunity to German measles
- Nutritional needs, vitamin intake. (Most pregnant women are recommended to take Folic Acid daily to avoid occurrence of birth defects.
-If you have any illness like Anemia, Hepatitis B and HIV
-Genetic disorders; ask your doctor what sickness or illnesses that may be passed on to your baby from you or your partner
-How to manage your current health problems while you are pregnant
-What lifestyle habits you should change while you are expecting.

2. Check Your Finances.

Will you and your partner be able to sustain a newborn baby? A baby is an added expense especially since a newborn baby not just requires a lot of attention but has needs that require additional expenses. Have a talk with your partner about this. Check if you will have enough savings to cover expected expenses. You also need to make sure you have contingency plans for unexpected things like preterm birth, birth complications that may require a longer work vacation on your part, if you are a working.

Aside from checking your finances, also check what medical benefits and coverage you can get. Ask your Health insurance or HMO on what is covered and what is not. You can also ask your doctor the full cost of normal delivery and other additional costs that may be included. Get an idea on how much you will have to pay for uncomplicated labor, delivery and postnatal care.

3. Check Your Home Space.

You may need additional space for a new member of your family. Make home changes if possible to accommodate the space your newborn baby needs. Allot space for bassinets, changing tables and other things that a newborn baby may require.

4. Check You and Your Partner’s Social Life.

Getting pregnant will surely have an impact on you and your partner’s social life. Being pregnant can decrease your energy level and will definitely affect your social life. You may be active with outdoor activities aside from your work; maybe you are regularly spending weekends on social gatherings or participating on various strenuous activities. But once you are expecting, you will not be able to sustain this lifestyle because there will be a drastic change to your energy level, plus the fact that you need to get enough sleep and remain well-rested for your baby. To adapt to these changes, you need to have a healthy diet, eat right to remain active.

5. Mood Changes.

When planning your pregnancy, one of the things you will have to know is that you will definitely encounter mood changes once you’re pregnant. Your hormone levels will change and will more often that not cause sudden tears, anger bursts and irritability even with no apparent reason. Your partner should also be informed that understanding and being sensitive to these emotional changes will help you deal with it and lessen unexpected reactions when they occur.

6. For the Father to Be

For the expectant dad, he should understand that he is directly involved in this planning. Expect and understand that your partner is undergoing major changes not just in her body, but in her entire being and lifestyle. Be ready that unexpected changes and issues may arise as you both go this journey. You may wonder what kind of father you will be, or worry about the changes with you and your wife’s relationship once you have a new baby as part of your family. It is normal. Try to be open to these feelings with your partner. You may both seek comfort if you talk these things out openly with each other and you may realize that your partner is experiencing the same worries you may have. However, you can seek professional help if you think the issue is becoming serious.

Get involved in the pregnancy by accompanying your wife during check-ups, attending prenatal or childbirth education classes. Together with your partner, read books and watch videos about parenting.