Essential factors to consider before having babies

culled from:http://pulse.ng

Bringing a child into the world is a really serious decision, and one that would change your life forever.

Not only will your lifestyle change, every decision you make thereafter would be centred around the new addition to the family.

So if you have just recently tied the knot and you're still trying to determine whether to have a baby or not, consider these essential factors before making up your mind.

• Relationship: If things are not going smoothly between you and your partner, it wouldn't make sense to include a third party into the chaos; especially when the person in question cannot decide for him/herself. Babies don't solve marital problem, they suffer from it. So save the poor child from living a miserable life, and fix your marriage instead.
• Money: Babies are very expensive - from their medication, to food, and diapers - you need a 'comfortable' pocket to be able to handle it. If you are not financial buoyant, it is advisable for you to save up some money for a couple of months or years before having a baby. That way, you will be fully prepared for the task ahead.
• Career: This is particularly important for the woman. Do you want to be a full-time mom or would you have to hire a nanny to care for your child while you're out all day working? Being a career woman could take a toll on you as a mother; not only would you miss some of your child's milestones like walking or talking for the first time, or losing their first milk tooth, it can also be really tough juggling your job with caring for your child. So this is something you really have to think about and weigh your options before you make your final decision.
• Age and Health: As a woman, the more you advance in age, the less your chances of having a healthy baby. This means that if you are putting off having a baby till sometime later in the future, you may have to consider your age before deciding on that. Also, your health is another major factor to consider. Be sure to check with your doctor especially if you have any lingering health condition that needs to be attended to before taking the plunge.
• Lifestyle: There are some habits you need to let go of if you have to bring a baby into the picture. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol are some things that need to go because they are not healthy for the baby. Partying also needs to reduce once your baby shows up because he/she requires all the attention they can get from you.