7 Things You Don't Need to Worry About During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a stressful time for expecting mothers—especially if this is your first rodeo. There are so many things to worry about, from the health of the baby, to your changing body, to how you will manage the responsibilities of being a mom.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things that you DON'T need to worry about! Here is a list of the top 7 things you can stop stressing about right now:

1. Whether your family and friends approve of your choice of baby name. As long as you aren't doing anything wacky like copying the exact name of your baby's cousin, it really shouldn't matter whether you choose a unique girls' name that starts with A, a simple one syllable girl name, a strong badass girl name, or anything in between! If you and your partner agree on the name, that's what's most important.
2. Whether your body will ever bounce back. Chances are, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, you'll more-or-less return to your pre-pregnancy shape. Even if your body does change a little, it sort of just comes with the territory of carrying and birthing a human! Either way, other than eating well and staying relatively active, there's not a WHOLE lot that you can do about this now—so don't stress!
3. How you're going to handle giving birth. You've probably heard all sorts of stories about childbirth, so it's natural to have some fears. The truth is that the experience can vary wildly from person to person. And the fact of the matter is that there is virtually nothing you can do (besides mentally prepare) to make labor go one way or another. So, there's no sense in worrying about something you can't control, right?
4. How you're going to take care of a newborn. Especially if you're a first time mom and you've never cared for an infant before, it can be pretty daunting to think about all the things you'll need to figure out. The good news is that you will learn as you go. You'll even get to "practice" a little while you're in the hospital and have a team of amazing nurses there to guide you.
5. What kind of baby swing or high chair to buy. Your baby actually needs very little in the beginning, so you've got plenty of time to figure out some of the toys and baby gear that will be useful as your baby gets older.
6. What your baby will wear home from the hospital. I always kind of laugh (in a nice way) when my fellow moms obsess about this. Leaving the hospital is INCREDIBLY special... but it really just involves putting your baby in their car seat, carrying them out, and driving them home. Any comfortable outfit will work perfectly.
7. Whether you'll be able to breastfeed successfully. Many women worry whether breastfeeding will be painful. They also stress about whether their milk supply will be sufficient. I'm here to tell you NOT to lose sleep over this! You'll likely encounter some bumps along the way (especially in the beginning), but with a little patience and perseverance (and maybe the help of a lactation consultant), you'll figure it out. Not to mention, supplementing with formula or switching to formula is a perfectly great option. This should take some of the pressure off of you.

Pregnancy is a really special but challenging time. It's really easy to go down a rabbit hole worrying about all the things you think could go wrong. Do your best to stay positive and focus on the things that (A) really matter and (B) are within your control, and if you do have any concerns, talk to your doctor.