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| Embrace, Love and Respect Your Pregnant Body |
I'm eager to give away the whole point of this post—pregnant woman shouldn't let worries get in their way.
Pregnancy is a momentous time where the health of your body and mind is directly linked to that of your growing baby. Speaking from my personal experience, it is easy to worry about every detail relating to our developing babies and pregnant selves, even when we know that nothing good will come of it. Considering this, I'd like to examine two common stress-inducers that expecting mothers often experience.
Body Changes - Pregnancy can lead to a lot of physical changes in a woman's life. During my pregnancy, the changes I had expected (a healthier diet and bigger clothes) were accompanied by other new delights such as morning sickness, stretch marks, fatigue, swollen feet and ankles, etc. You may feel betrayed by the health you used to take for granted, and there are parts of your body that are morphing beyond recognition. Just remember that most of these are only temporary adjustments . . . your body goes through a lot to create new life.
Pregnancy is a momentous time where the health of your body and mind is directly linked to that of your growing baby. Speaking from my personal experience, it is easy to worry about every detail relating to our developing babies and pregnant selves, even when we know that nothing good will come of it. Considering this, I'd like to examine two common stress-inducers that expecting mothers often experience.
Body Changes - Pregnancy can lead to a lot of physical changes in a woman's life. During my pregnancy, the changes I had expected (a healthier diet and bigger clothes) were accompanied by other new delights such as morning sickness, stretch marks, fatigue, swollen feet and ankles, etc. You may feel betrayed by the health you used to take for granted, and there are parts of your body that are morphing beyond recognition. Just remember that most of these are only temporary adjustments . . . your body goes through a lot to create new life.
And while some body changes will be permanent, you have every reason to wear your battle scars proudly. I can assure you that once you're looking into your sweet little baby's eyes, you'll be extremely proud of every change your miraculous consciousness giving body went through.
Labor Woes - Why wouldn't an expectant mother worry about labor at least a little bit? It's only the single most important event of her life. Soon-to-be mamas may feel they have to prepare for anything that could happen in labor and stick to their three page detailed birth plan, right? Not exactly.
Labor Woes - Why wouldn't an expectant mother worry about labor at least a little bit? It's only the single most important event of her life. Soon-to-be mamas may feel they have to prepare for anything that could happen in labor and stick to their three page detailed birth plan, right? Not exactly.
There is a reason there are professionals in every field, and once a woman is in labor and in the delivery room, she has one job only . . . have a baby! I wrote a post about my personal Birth Story. It details how my experience went completely against my birth plan in every single way, from the pain management to the cutting of the cord. However, because I trusted my coach (who happened to be my loving fiance Josh), and I trusted the team of doctors and nurses around us, there was nothing for me to worry about except the huge job of having little Charlotte.
For expectant moms who are still concerned about labor, my advice to you is to take childbirth classes, and find a reliable and supportive coach (husband, girlfriend, mom, doula, etc.). These are both absolutely essential to relieving your worry now and while you're in labor. Planning ahead will help you split the daunting responsibility of safely delivering a child with someone you trust. Also, learning about all the things that can happen and getting an idea of what to expect during labor takes the fear out of the process, and it replaces it with excitement. Also, take a hospital tour, pack your bag(s), and get ready to meet the love of your life. There's nothing to worry about. Zen.
For expectant moms who are still concerned about labor, my advice to you is to take childbirth classes, and find a reliable and supportive coach (husband, girlfriend, mom, doula, etc.). These are both absolutely essential to relieving your worry now and while you're in labor. Planning ahead will help you split the daunting responsibility of safely delivering a child with someone you trust. Also, learning about all the things that can happen and getting an idea of what to expect during labor takes the fear out of the process, and it replaces it with excitement. Also, take a hospital tour, pack your bag(s), and get ready to meet the love of your life. There's nothing to worry about. Zen.
I urge you to research the questions you have, because becoming informed is a great thing. It may actually help to lessen your worries and give you the extra confidence you need to face the future unknowns. And there will be many. I can't even begin to address the many worries I've had and continue to have regarding the future of Charlotte's health . . . and so on.
When I first found out I was pregnant, I was offered great advice from my dad. He told me that pregnancy is a time to revel in the day to day happenings. This could possibly be the only time that I was awarded the gift of pregnancy, and 40 weeks is such a short time in comparison to the rest of my life. Focusing on the preciousness that enveloped pregnancy, I was set to enjoy what was the happiest time of my life . . . that is until I laid my eyes on sweet Charlotte, and the happiness grew.
My dad's words rang so true, and they continue to bring me gratitude with every special moment in day to day life, as well. Wake up, smell the coffee, appreciate the hard times, pet your dogs, and enjoy it all. It really is the small, unphotographed moments that make life grand.
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