Pregnancy 101: Inspiration for you, your mate
and your family
While I was pregnant with our third child, I came across a poster on one of the clinic walls that I thought was just absolutely amazing... If I didn't have a conscience, I would have stolen it home for me to enjoy every day waking up to... But since I do have one, a terrible one at that, instead I decided to make up my own such poster and then decided to keep it here.
The concept is, things you or others can do for you to assist in dealing with the changes and challenges of pregnancy. Ideas for small activities to keep your spirits up, to keep your mind active and your emotions stable and healthy... Which is quite a challenge for some of us on a hormonal rush in our third trimester. I hope this gives some of you the pleasure it gave me before the twins were born. Luck to you with it all...
Activities
In the quiet, under the Moonlight, expose
your belly. Acknowledge the life growing inside of you. Give your
word to do your best... No one can ask of more than that from you.
Create a Belly Chain. Rejoice in the
size! Put charms on the chain that mean something to you... Symbols
that will give you hope and strength when you're in need of it. This chain
can double as nursing beads later, after your little one has arrived.
Cast a mould of your belly. Decorate it and use it
as an art fixture, or a bird bath out-doors.
Keep a journal of your pregnancy
experience. Keep track of things like your weight, or if your hair growth
changes for the better.
Make a Scrapbook for your new baby.
Include before birth photos, belly measurements or other fun, personal touches.
Your baby will love the memories captured just for it.
Give your baby a nick-name, and have your
partner help. Maybe the name of a food you've been craving, an animal
totem or just something cute the two of you appreciate.
Choose your child's name with your
partner. Consider family names for inspiration. Remember to spell
out initials to make sure they don't make some strange word... Have fun
doing this together.
Get a hold of some of those bath paints
that just wash off... And paint your belly. Let your partner help...
Have some fun!
Create a layette for your baby. Have
it washed with love and care for when your baby comes home.
Decide where your baby is going to sleep,
and place a protection charm above or under the crib, bassinet or your bed.
Practice meditations and ritual with your
partner and family. Work on Courage, Strength and Endurance as themes.
Make a listing of fears, worries or
challenges. In an open air environment, and in the safety of a circle,
burn the things that are causing you stress. Let go of your pain to the
Goddess, to make room for love and new joy.
Have a party. Either with
girlfriends or with your family, to celebrate your baby coming into the world.
Have yummy healthy foods, small token gifts and a nurturing environment to
express your inner self. If you're pagan and have the support of a circle,
get together for ritual with the pregnancy as a theme. Work on the Full
Moon.
Take and have photos taken. Remember
the joys of growing life inside you. There will never be another moment
quite like this one.
Listen to music to expand your baby's mind
while it's inside you. Classical works wonders for soothing, but try all
different types of music and see what response you get!
Plan a mushy movie night and rent all your favourites to watch. Have buttery popcorn and snuggle on the couch.
How your Partner can help
Tell your partner you love them. Tell them how
beautiful they are... Don't hold back.
Listen. No matter how silly,
irritating or discouraging the conversation... Listen. She needs
you.
Talk about dreams, about feelings, and
make plans for the future. There is security in hope. There is
strength in sharing.
Go to doctor appointments, no matter how
often or trivial they seem to be. You never know when you're going to wish
you'd have been there. Pregnancy is 9 months of time, but it's a life
altering event that consist of nine of the most important months of your life.
Don't miss out.
Read to your baby. Babies can hear
you from inside the womb, so letting your child become familiar with your voice
will help with baby bonding.
Help make a birthing plan, be a part of
the decisions that will aid in bringing your child into the world.
How Family and Friends can help
Bring fresh flowers or new potted plants
into the house. Violets are wonderful for welcoming a new baby.
Wash the dishes, the laundry or anything else that isn't
too personal, but will help out around the house.
Arrange a spa day, girls only if you'd
like. Get pedicures or facials... Nurture Mama.
Listen. I can't stress enough how
important it is to be a supportive friend or family member by listening.
You might not understand her, but the best gift you can give is to share the
load of how she's feeling.
Decide on names for the baby to call
you... Grandma, Papa, Mama, Auntie... Everyone should have a special
and appropriate title.
Understand the birthing plan and where you
fit in. Birth can be a difficult and stressful time, so try to be
respectful of the couple's need for help, privacy, and ultimately their needs.
If the family has a pet that you might
house for a week, offer to do so. Sometimes the additional needs of a
furry companion can add unneeded stress to the household once baby arrives.
Run errands. Go grocery shopping or
do things that might be helpful outside of the home for the couple.
Offer to cook, or make freezer casseroles
for the couple. Nothing is more appreciated than a quick warm meal at the
end of a long hard day.
After the first few weeks, offer a short
baby-sitting venture for Mom and Dad to have a little out and about time.
Even if they just take a little time for coffee at a local shop, the reprieve
will be refreshing. Make sure they're ready though, timing is everything
and leaving baby for the first time can be a tender and sensitive occasion.
Bring books into the house. Even a
paperback novel might help relieve a little tension or stress during this time
of change and excitement.
Help her to laugh. Bring over the comics, share a joke... Help to keep her spirits up, especially towards the end of her pregnancy.
Note that Eira Alarches
and SnowStones.com can take no responsibility for outcomes or events
based upon the use of the above listed information.
Please use Common Sense, Reason and above all, Love.
Copyright Eira Alarches© 2008
