A new member's arrival in your family, a joyous and life-changing event, can radically transform you and your lifestyle. Before the two of you decide on making a baby, you need to plan and consider the changes that you may need to make in your lifestyle, financially, socially and psychologically.

If you want to bring a child in your life, lifestyle changes are bound to occur. You can't plan your weekend parties with your friends with the same amount of freedom and flexibility as you do now. It is better to get used to this idea psychologically and socially beforehand so that it is not a shock later on and doesn't become a cause of conflict in the relationship.

Most people start having panic attacks at the mere thought of changing lifestyles and they find it difficult, in their fearful imagination, to adjust to a new lifestyle that is sure to come with the arrival of a baby. But such changes (some may call it sacrifice) need to be made in order that your dream of a building a whole family and the hopes of the joy that a new baby will bring are fulfilled. Therefore be mentally prepared for it.

A high stress lifestyle may not be very conducive to conceiving and carrying a child to its full term and even afterwards. Child care, and during pregnancy care can be a time-consuming, an almost full time, activity.

Therefore, deciding on your priorities and rearranging current obligations is the first step.

Before you get pregnant, the two of you need to:

" Plan when you want to have a child

" Decide on sharing housework far more systematically than now. So that shared housework becomes a habit before the arrival of the baby

" Cut back on your commitments and obligations outside the work
" Start a healthy routine now, more fruits and vegetables. You will realize the importance of it when you actually get pregnant. Ask your spouse also to follow a healthy diet

" Work out a weight loss program if you are overweight and build on your muscle tone

" Take good care of your self and feel good about yourself. Enjoy, do what you like doing. Take time out for things that you missed doing because of career or a heavy-duty job, for example embroidery, gardening, painting, making crafts or even traveling

" Create a support group around you if you are a working woman. For example family members, friends, communities, groups if any etc. Plan it out, talk it out with them and see how you can strengthen your social network. Think, if you need to move near to a relative's house?

" Build a common ground for caring, intimacy with the child, performance of various duties beforehand with your partner so that it is not a shock or cause of conflict for either of you later on.

" Think about where you want the birth of the child to take place. Wherever you feel safe and cared for is the right place. Whether it is your own mother's place or your mother-in-law's house, or a relative or friend's place, think about it beforehand.

" Love your self, dance, sing and be light-hearted. This will be good for your soul and consequently good for the child that will be.

" Start saving money. Pregnancy, child care can be very expensive.

" Speak to an experienced mother, somebody whom you trust.