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Step 1
Realize that you will need help and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Your body has just been through an incredibly difficult experience and you will need time to recover. If your partner isn't available, ask your mother, sister or a close friend if they are willing to help you out. If all else fails, arrange for a mother's helper for a few hours everyday.
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Step 2
Stock up on food before the baby's arrival. Try cooking double batches of things that freeze well, like soups and casseroles, in the weeks before your due date. Make sure that you also have simple, healthy snacks available so you don't end up grabbing things that aren't so great for you when you're starving and the baby is nursing or fussy.
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Step 3
Lower your expectations. You will not be able to get back into your pre-baby clothes. You will not have time to properly style your hair. You may not shower everyday and you will rarely sleep. It sounds ridiculous if you have never had a baby, but it is reality. If you are aware of this before you bring the baby home, then you won’t be surprised when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror.
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Step 4
Make lists. Create a list of things that must be accomplished everyday no matter what, like laundry, meal preparation, dog walking, etc. If you are the one in charge of bill paying make a list of all the bills that are due during the month of your baby’s expected arrival and how you normally go about paying them so that your partner won’t be left digging for information if you are unavailable. Make a list of all important details of your pet’s care so that someone else can take over while you are otherwise occupied with the little one. Sit down and consider every vital part of your day to day life and make a list of instructions for someone else to follow so that you won’t have to worry once the baby arrives.
