It may be the most important moment of your life--the moment
that you learn that you're pregnant, or you find out that your
wife is pregnant. It is a moment of infinite possibilities. You
wonder whether your child will grow up to be the next Mozart or
the next Marie Curie. You go through baby name books endlessly,
wondering what to call your bundle of joy. You go to the paint
store, hoping to pick out just the right shade for your child's
nursery. You register at a baby merchandise store, hoping to get
just what you need for your baby shower.
However, while it can be a time of unbridled joy, pregnancy may
also be a period of intense stress. You may be worried about the
weight gain associated with pregnancy. Or you may be wondering
whether your baby will be healthy. You may be anxious about your
finances, especially if they weren't good before the news of
your baby's arrival. You may also be wondering how your
relationship with your spouse will change as a result of the
pregnancy. You may even be wondering how your relationship with
your parents will be altered as a result of your new baby. You
may also be worried about the experience of childbirth and the
amount of pain involved.
Most importantly, you might be stressed out about the
responsibilities of parenthood. You may be wondering how good a
mother or a father you'll make. You may be wondering whether
you'll be a good provider, a good comforter, a good
disciplinarian. You might be wondering about feeding schedules
and middle-of-the-night diaper changes.
All of these worries are natural. However, it is important that
your worries do not cause you intolerable anxiety. There are
specific steps you can take to lessen the stress of pregnancy.
If you hope to make the transition to parenthood as smooth as
possible, it's critical that you follow these simple relaxation
techniques.
To begin with, it can be helpful to take a childbirth class.
Even if you aren't contemplating natural childbirth, such
classes provide a wealth of information--information that can
help put your mind at ease. You'll receive information about how
to have a healthy pregnancy, about proper diet for the
prospective mother, about the process of childbirth, and about
the care and feeding of your baby.
In addition, childbirth classes often provide you with
information about relaxation techniques. These include not only
breathing exercises, but imagery exercises that can help soothe
your nerves. The good thing is that you'll be going through the
relaxation exercises with your partner, so you can both receive
the benefit of them. Many childbirth educators encourage
practicing these relaxation exercises right before you go to bed
at night, so you can learn how to relax your muscles right
before you try to go to sleep.
It may also be a good idea to attend La Leche League meetings
during your pregnancy if you intend to breast-feed.
Breast-feeding can be a daunting experience for a new mother, so
you'll want to get all the information you can about the
process. The La Leche League meetings also put you in touch with
experienced breast-feeding mothers who can help to coach you
through the rough times. Some groups also provide a phone list
that you can consult whenever you need advice--anytime of the
day or night.
If you're experiencing a great deal of pregnancy-related
stress, it is also important that you discuss it with your
obstetrician. He or she might have additional recommendations
for you, as far as coping techniques are concerned. He or she
can also let you know whether your stress is affecting your
baby, which can be critically important in putting your mind at
ease.
Pregnancy can and should be a joyous time. However, there is
little doubt that there is a great deal of stress involved in
the process. The more informed you are about pregnancy and
childbirth, the better able you will be to cope. Seeking out
other mothers and fathers during this critical time can also be
important for your emotional well-being. By relying on other
people for support, you can reduce your stress level
significantly and truly enjoy the latter stages of your
pregnancy.
About the author:
Tony Robinson is a husband, parent, webmaster and international
author. Leading a full and busy lifestyle he is fully aware of
the needs of a stress free life. For tips, techniques and
further information visit
http://www.stress-gone.com
