1. You don’t have to buy it all

Decide what your budget is for the nursery and then choose wisely what you spend on. Why not ask a mommy friend what she would/wouldn’t spend on if she were to begin again.

2. Get comfortable making difficult decisions

Do you spend on a fancy pram or put that towards an expensive monitor. Do you have natural or a Caesar, circumcise or don’t. The decisions you will be forced to make in this season, will be endless. BUT this is just the beginning. Start to find confidence in trusting your decisions to be best for you and your growing babe, as post their arrival you’ll be tasked with being a decision-making machine.

3. Stay active

While it’s tough to avoid gaining lots of weight while pregnant, I promise its TOUGHER to lose that weight once you have a babe who requires ALL of your attention, time and energy. Choosing to stay as fit as you are able to while pregnant, will not benefit your post-partum body but your growing babe and labour too

4. Love your new body

In saying the above, your body, mama-to-be, will NEVER be the same again. And that’s more than okay, its magical. You have carried life inside of you. LIFE! Flaunt that new body, be proud of it, love on it. You’d never criticize a mommy dog for having saggy teats, NO instead you’d celebrate the new stage she is in – do the same for you.

5. Sleep in, sleep through, JUST sleep

Whether you’re blessed with a sleeper or non-sleeper, sleep will look very different in the months to come. Prioritize sleep now…while you have the choice!

    6.  Save

Being at home with Sarah was one of the things I was most grateful for but it did come at a cost. If you’re fortunate enough to get maternity leave then soak it all up BUT for those who don’t, save save save. The little spending sacrifices now will be well worth it when you get quality time at home with your babe.

7. Build up your medical savings too

NEVER in your wildest dreams could you predict how much money can potentially be spent at doctors and paeds rooms in your child’s first year. This can go either way but being prepared will only stand you in good stead.

8. Go on date nights

It will be a long while before it’s just you and your baby daddy again. Make time for each other now!

9. Don’t believe everything you hear

Advice will be given, but doesn’t all need to be taken. Choose wisely who you listen to as the amount of information out there is boundless, and can potentially derail even a stable mama.

10. Know that you’ve got this

Stop worrying, beautiful mama-to-be. God has entrusted you with life, and He knows full well that you’ve got what it takes to care for your growing babe. Trust yourself!!!