When you are ready, even seeing a baby invokes a feeling of parenthood in you. That is when you know you are ready. For a couple, this is a beautiful phase in the life. From planning the pregnancy, this journey begins and keeps on getting better at every stage.
It is always wise to plan and be prepared for anything in life, and pregnancy is not an exception! Here are 5 things that all parents should plan for the arrival of the child.
1# Planning for pregnancy
The planning phase starts right from here. It makes the most sense to talk about extending the family with your partner and then going ahead. Pregnancy brings about a big change in the life of a couple. It is a good idea to enter this phase when both of you are on the same page.
This phase can be stressful. It may take longer than expected to conceive, and a couple might have to contact a doctor. In any such scenario, a couple needs to be a team. A husband’s part in reducing this stress is much larger than any of her friends. Do some activities together! That would be a great stress-buster.
Unwind by doing some activities together!
A Pregnancy, however, is not always planned. Sometimes, the good news arrives unexpectedly. Even then, talk to your partner about the expected changes. The role of a father is much bigger than a role of the husband.
2# Selecting the best care for the mum-to-be
When you are at this phase, congrats! You have graduated from being a couple to being equal caregivers. The joy of watching that pregnancy test turn positive is unparalleled. However, most couples wouldn’t know how to go about from there.
There are two things you need to do at this stage. Firstly, you need to search for new parents in your circle. They will provide you with a good idea of what to expect during this journeyNext, and the most important part is to find the right obstetrician for the mum-to-be.
Talking with new mums will give you an idea about different doctors. When it comes to choosing one, the right doctor for your friend may not be the best option for you. Always find out the temperament of the doctor before you commit to one. If you get easily stressed, a calm and composed doctor is the one to go with. If you tend to need a little push here and there, find a more assertive one.
These doctors usually have more than one clinic. Find out what is the most convenient option for you. Remember, you have to travel to the hospital every time for a visit. It becomes a bit difficult in the third trimester to travel a long distance. Find the location where you would reach with ease. Find the most convenient location for you.
3# Regular health check ups
The first trimester comes with a lot of changes in the mum-to-be. The doctor would advise a few visits. There are going to be consultations where the doctor checks the weight gain and symptoms of your wife. And there would be scans where you would be able to see the tiny baby in a sonogram!
The early scans are critical, as a few decisions would have to be made depending on the results. A few more tests may be recommended. In such cases, it is always better to visit the doctor as a couple. Dads-to-be, take some time off work and accompany your wife to these scans. It is not every day that you can actually see the baby growing up!
The wait is worth it!
4# Saving for the new addition
The new addition to the family is going to bring about a few changes in the lifestyle of a pregnant couple. There are going to be a few anticipated expenses. If this is your first child, you will be building up the nursery. The needs of the baby in the first few months are very few, but as they grow up, the expenses increase. In addition, plan for some recreation for yourself. Things get busy after the child arrives. A babymoon is a must!
Discuss the financial situation and anticipate some gaps in the income, if the mum decides to extend her maternity leave. There are a few ways in which you can start saving for the arrival of the baby. Talk to your trusted financial advisors, like POSB, for smart ways to save. You can earn an interest of 2% p.a. on the POSB Smiley CDA account! When you sign up, you get a host of benefits like a free Grab ride and exclusive offers at over 50 merchants with the Baby Bonus NETS Card! Find out more about the POSB Smiley CDA account here.
5# Investing in a car
A husband always worries about the well-being of the wife. Once she is pregnant, this anxiety increases manifold! Most dads start thinking about investing in a car that they would drive, as anything else suddenly seems too risky. This is a natural way in which a husband exhibits his nesting habits.
When you are thinking about an auto loan, it is better to take it from an established institution such as POSB to avoid hidden charges. Consider too, maintaining your Savings/Salary account and consolidating all your finances with one Bank to avoid missing out on interest payments.
Pregnancy is a beautiful phase, and it should be enjoyed to the fullest. A couple who knows what is coming next is better prepared for it and deals with the stress associated with it in an excellent way. If you are in this phase, don’t forget to save up for the days to come.
This article is sponsored by POSB. To learn more about the POSB Smiley CDA account, visit www.posb.com.sg/cda