Getting Ready for Your Baby’s First Year

Whether you’re still making arrangements for a vasectomy reversal, or you’re already excitedly sharing the big news, you and your partner are probably eager to get ready for baby’s first year. Before going on a spending spree at the toy store, take a step back and make a few decisions. You’ll need to think about healthcare, family leave, and child care, in addition to setting up the nursery and choosing the perfect baby name .

Healthcare

Sorting through healthcare policies is probably one of the least exciting aspects of becoming pregnant, but it’s definitely a top priority. You’ll need to determine which medical services are covered during the pregnancy, and for the labor and delivery. Talk to your HR manager at work to get the details about adding your little one to your policy when the time comes. During the second or third trimester, it’s time to start the search for the pediatrician.

Family Leave

If you don’t already know your company’s family leave policy, now is the time to look it up. Check the employee handbook first, and then talk to your HR manager if it isn’t mentioned there. Look up the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to learn about your legal rights. Most women wait until after the first trimester to let their employers know they are pregnant. Sharing the news is only necessary, because it’s reasonable to assume that the company will need to plan for your extended absence.

Child Care

Once your leave ends, you probably can’t rely on grandparents to provide free child care forever. There’s no question that child care is expensive, but this is one thing you don’t want to skimp on. It’s essential to choose a daycare provider with an unblemished safety record. Double-check the licensure with the appropriate state agency, and check out the provider’s references.

Baby Gear

Shopping for cute baby gear is the fun part (until you see the price tags). You should be able to get most things secondhand from thrift shops and garage sale groups on social media. However, for safety reasons, you should never purchase a secondhand car seat or crib.

Did you have a vasectomy that you now regret? Call Dr. Joshua Green at (941) 894-6428 to request a consult at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal. We make special accommodations for out of town patients who plan to travel to our vasectomy reversal clinic in Sarasota.