Preparing for pregnancy
Getting your life ready for pregnancy
If you’re trying for a baby or this is your first pregnancy, you’re probably finding it hard to imagine how much your life will change once you become a parent. It’s fairly common for first-time mums to be so focused on the birth that they give little thought to what comes next – but it can help lessen the shock if you make some practical preparations.
Here are some ideas of what you can do to prepare – mentally and practically – for having a baby.
Get your body ready for pregnancy
There are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to boost your health. These may help increase your chances of conceiving and having a healthy full term pregnancy.
Spend some time with a friend or relative who has a new baby
Caring for a baby full time can come as a shock, so spending time with another new mum will show you what’s it’s like. Observing the basics like feeding, changing nappies, bathing and dressing can help prepare you better and make you more confident about handling babies generally.
Do some financial planning
You’ll be earning less for a while after you’ve had your baby and possibly even losing one income if you decide to give up work for a few years, so think about the impact this will have on your finances.
Tempting as it may seem to have a last minute splurge on a last holiday, home improvements or even buying a new house – the reality is you might be better off saving money and/or paying off debts to help you through leaner times that may lie ahead. Some new parents rush to buy a bigger property for their growing family – only to struggle with mortgage repayments. Think carefully about taking on extra financial commitments – babies really don’t need that much extra space for the first few years.
Attend antenatal classes
Antenatal classes focus on the birth and how to cope with it and they are useful preparation for the birth. You can pick up some useful baby care tips too. In addition, you can meet other mums and dads-to-be and make friends with some of them. Pregnancy is a bonding experience and many parents make friendships that last years. You can book classes through your midwife or attend private classes run by the Parents Centre.
Paid Parental Leave
Paid parental leave (PPL) is one continuous period up to 26 weeks. This is available for primary carers who take total responsibility for the care and wellbeing of the baby. This does not need to be the birthing parent however the birthing parent must be eligible and then transfer their PPL to another caregiver. Parental leave payments are available to employees who have worked any 26 weeks out of the 52 weeks before the baby is born, for at least 10 hours per week. People with more than one employer or have recently changed jobs are also entitled to paid parental leave if they have worked at least 26 weeks in the last 52.
If you need to stay connected with your workplace while on paid parental leave, then you can use Keeping in Touch hours. This is 64 hours that allow you (if your employer agrees) to perform work from time to time, for example to attend a team day, without losing your entitlement to paid parental leave payments. This work is paid on top of your PPL and must not exceed the 64 hour limit over the paid parental leave period and must not happen within the first 28 days after your child is born.
If your baby is born more than 3 weeks early you may qualify for premature baby payments. You will get these from the day your baby is born through to the end of what would have been your 36th week of pregnancy. You can also get the premature baby payments if you have primary care of the baby during this time but are not the birth mother. Your regular paid parental leave payments will start after this. Before you apply for PPL you will need a letter from your LMC/GP to prove your pregnancy.
Best Start tax credit
This is a weekly payment of $73 per child, up to $3796. All families will receive this payment until the child turns one year old, regardless of their household income. If families are receiving paid parental leave payments, they cannot get the Best Start payment for the period of time they get paid parental leave in. After the first year, families can receive Best Start payments until their child turns 3, if they earn under $97,276. The amount a family receives will depend on the family income. To continue getting the payments after a child turns 1, families will need to provide IRD with an estimate of their family income.
More information
MBIE 0800 20 90 20
www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/parental-leave
https://www.ird.govt.nz/working-for-families/payment-types
Visit some daycare centres/childminders
If you think you will be returning to work, it may pay to do your homework to find out what childcare is available locally, as many daycare centres have waiting lists. Options include daycare centres, childminders and nannies. Ask friends too, as some nannies and childminders may look after more than one child or be about to stop working for a family and be available for yours.
Find out about flexible working
Parents of children aged 16 and under, or those who have disabled children, can request a flexible working pattern. This can help you balance caring for your child with work. Your employer has a legal duty to consider the request and must reply to you in writing.