As I enter into my 16th week of pregnancy today(!), I’ve seemed to have tapped into somewhat of the emotional side of pregnancy. Up until this point, I thought I was doing pretty good on the emotions- no major mood swings, no crocodile tears. But there were a few different occasions this week where the waterworks just came out of nowhere. Literally. The tears would start, and while some of the time I knew what was causing them, there were other times where I just had no good rhyme or reason. Sometimes, it was actually comical.
At this point in time, I currently subscribe to about, ohh I don’t know, maybe five different websites that all send me weekly (if not daily) pregnancy emails. Sometimes I skip over them, but other times there are some that immediately catch my attention. This week, I received one from BabyCenter, which listed out 20 things NOT to stress about during pregnancy…
While I’ve always considered myself a fairly relaxed person, I have my days where I just start stressing over one thing or another. I read one thing saying you can’t do X, Y, or Z, and then I read another saying it’s okay.
How we all ever turned out normal boggles my mind…
I try hard not to over-analyze situations, attempt to keep a level head, and take things as they come, but sometimes I feel like it’s easier said than done. That being said, when I came across this email, it was one that couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. So for my other moms-to-be out there, who might be feeling similarly, perhaps you’ll enjoy it, too.
*****
“Don’t stress if you can’t get everything done that you had planned each day. The baby won’t know if the housework isn’t done!”
“It’s okay to tell co-workers that you’re not interested in their advice. Every pregnancy is different.”
“Remember, every problem has a solution, and confiding in someone who’s close to you or who you think can offer help or support is a step forward. Don’t be afraid to talk to your partner, OB, or midwife.”
“Don’t stress about how you look. You’re performing a miracle — growing a person inside of you — and that’s a fantastic accomplishment.”
“If you trust your OB, let her do her job and follow her recommendations; if you don’t, find a new doctor who you do trust. You should never be afraid to call your provider with big and small problems.”
“Don’t stress about tough times with your partner. A baby tests any couple’s relationship.”
“Don’t stress about things like food or weight. Just be sensible. There’s no need to give yourself an anxiety attack over the pint of ice cream you just finished. Take it as your special reward for everything you’ve accomplished so far in your pregnancy, and move on.”
“If you’re doing everything in your power to make healthy choices, don’t worry so much. Women have been having babies since well before we knew what to do and what not to do.”
“Don’t stress too much about things in the environment you think might harm your baby, like standing too close to the microwave or pumping gas. Remember, the vast majority of babies are born healthy.”
“Don’t worry about labor. It is what it is. Just educate yourself on your options, and be ready to make informed decisions. Beyond that, just take a deep breath and go for it. It’s not as bad as you think it’ll be.”
“Don’t stress about how the baby is fending in the womb. It’s a roll cage, but your baby is probably comfortable in there.”
“Every little twinge doesn’t mean something is wrong.”
“No matter what decisions you make, someone will always disagree. Try not to let the negative comments upset you, and if you’re really worried about something, talk with your doctor or a nonjudgmental friend.”
“There’s no such thing as a stupid question, especially for first-time mothers. Being pregnant and birthing a child are unique experiences, and a woman will never know what it’s all about until she’s actually done it herself.”
“It’s okay if you don’t have everything ready for your baby. Newborns don’t need a whole lot in the beginning.”
“When I accepted heartburn, back pain, lack of sleep, and moodiness as a normal part of pregnancy, they didn’t seem to bother me as much anymore.”
“If you’re worried about being a good mom, you probably have nothing to worry about. My husband keeps telling me that bad mothers don’t worry about whether or not they’ll be good moms.”
“I had never really been around children, and I made mistakes, but as long as you love your baby and are careful with the important stuff, you can’t harm him or her with small mistakes. You’ll soon get comfortable with the routine.”
“Don’t stress too much over all the “rules” pregnant women now have. A bath warmer than lukewarm won’t lead to disaster. If you accidentally eat a soft cheese you’re not sure is safe, there’s no use worrying after the fact. Our mothers had fewer restrictions than we do, and we turned out fine.”
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