When we had our first child, we felt like we were the only ones who knew what being pregnant felt like. But, of course, the wonder of being pregnant for the first time comes with a lot of anxiety. If you were to go back and do it all again, would you not stress out so much? Would you enjoy it more? If there’s someone in your life who’s just going through this wonderful journey for the first time, here’s some advice they could certainly do with.
Stay as calm as possible
This is not an easy thing because the first pregnancy scan could bring about a wave of emotions, but it’s so important to remember that stress is something that will unconsciously affect us, no matter how hard we try to ignore it. Being as calm as possible does not just ensure that new mothers get to feel every single emotion in a genuine fashion, but it also means that if they can take the opportunity to stay calm during the first trimester, this will give them a far better foundation of feeling more secure in themselves when it comes to giving birth.
Educate yourself
One of the biggest reasons we all feel so stressed when it comes to our first pregnancies is because we put our lives in the hands of the doctors and the nurses. As we start to go through pregnancy, there are so many notions of what they call that “motherly instinct” kicks in, and we can think that because the doctor has told us to do X, Y, and Z, we must do it even if it goes against our instincts. A very good example is having a C-section. It is something that may be essential if the baby’s life is at risk, but it’s important to learn as much as you can about the process of childbirth and realise that if you have certain instincts, you shouldn’t go against them. This is why many mothers go to Hypnobirthing classes because it gives them much more information than they would necessarily learn from a pamphlet, but being educated while also having the confidence to know that you are doing right for yourself and your child.
Rest is vital
Lots of new parents, upon the news that they are pregnant, try to do as much as they used to. It can be easier said than done to tell someone that they need to rest up more, but it’s about listening to those instincts. Many mothers-to-be will have numerous anxieties, which is why it is important to preach that rest is the most important thing during the entire pregnancy. It’s so simple, but it’s something that goes against modern society. We all think that we just need to keep pushing and go at the same pace as everyone else, but you are using all of your physical, mental, and emotional resources on growing a child, rest may seem like a silly suggestion, but this is the one thing that will ensure that you can prepare yourself for the most important events in your life.