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Note to Self: "Enjoy my Pregnancy"
Most women can't help worrying full stop, let alone worrying about anything baby-related. First we worry about conceiving. Then, after we get pregnant we worry about the baby, the birth, getting our figures back and countless other things.
Of course it’s only natural to be concerned, but how do we make sure that the worrying doesn’t take over the pregnancy
So you’ve taken the pregnancy test and it’s official, you’re going to be a mum. Now is the time when the fun starts….. isn’t it?
It is common for you to feel a little overwhelmed with the fact that you are now with child, which is why you should follow these simple steps from www.pregnancy.about.com
Do make an appointment with your midwife or doctor. Call as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed or you suspect you are pregnant. The big surprise is that you may feel a sense of hurry up and wait. Many practitioners don't schedule the first appointment until after you have missed two periods, while others have you come in right away. Even if you don't have an early appointment, do feel free to call with questions about things like medications you're currently taking, symptoms that are worrisome, chronic health conditions, etc. Also do not be afraid to get an earlier appointment if you've had a history that might suggest you need to be seen sooner.
Do celebrate! While you shouldn't have alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, that doesn't mean you should stop having fun. A great glass of sparkling cider is a great way to liven up the night and to toast your new bundle of joy. Some women plan a romantic dinner to surprise their partners with the news of the pregnancy, others have bigger parties. How and when you celebrate may depend on many factors. Either way, remember that having fun is perfectly acceptable part of pregnancy. By having fun, you are releasing stress and relaxing, which is good for you and the baby.
Do share your news! Telling your family and friends about the new addition, is fun and exciting. Some families wait until after 12 weeks, the first ultrasound or a special date to begin telling everyone, while others begin telling everyone right away. There isn't a right or a wrong answer to when the appropriate time to tell is for you.
Do learn about pregnancy. Look through things like the pregnancy calendar and follow your pregnancy week by week. See if you can sign up for an early pregnancy class at a local hospital or birth center. This will give you a bit of knowledge to start making the appropriate decisions for you and for baby. Books are also a great source of knowledge about pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Do take care of yourself. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, taking a prenatal vitamin and exercising in an appropriate way are all healthy ways to encourage a great pregnancy, easier labor and healthy baby. Listening to your body's signals, whether it is morning sickness or exhaustion, will help you cope more easily with symptoms of pregnancy.
Do find a support system. Whether you are talking to your family, old friends or new, the support you get is a must have for pregnant women. So much will change in your life and you'll have so many questions, you will need to surround yourself with people to help you answer the questions and gain the knowledge you need. Sometimes that will be your midwife or doctor and other times that will be your friends and family. Consider finding others who are due when you are due to share the ups and downs of pregnancy with.
Most of all, enjoy your pregnancy! After all, it's only nine months. A common worry among pregnant women, whether first-time or not, is miscarriage. The most common causes of miscarriage are genetic defects or failure of the egg to implant properly in the uterus, factors that women can't control. There are obviously things you can do to improve your baby's chances of survival, such as not drinking alcohol or smoking. It is also worth remembering that even though a terrifying experience for many women, a little spotting can often occur around the sixth week of pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage decreases dramatically after the first trimester of pregnancy. Miscarriage fears, however, can be particularly debilitating and become an obsession to women who have suffered the loss of a previous baby.
Delivery Fears
Another worry pregnant women face is the delivery. It is important to differentiate between old wives’ tales and reality when it comes to pregnancy and delivery. Don't let friends scare you with negative stories. Pregnant women should draw a boundary for people wanting to recount negative experiences. The likelihood of the same bad experience happening to you is tiny. There is no reason to get upset about something that probably won't happen. It's a good idea for women to prepare for labour by discussing it with trusted friends and family members. Of course labour complications exist, but many women will tell you about their easy deliveries. Finding a health care practitioner you trust and can talk to will help ease anxiety, and attending pregnancy and childbirth classes will ease fear of the unknown. Find out what helps you relax before delivery and prepare yourself by practicing relaxation.
Coping with Worry
Whatever your worries might be, it's important to find ways to cope with them. The following advice from www.pregnancytoday.com offers several methods for coping with pregnancy related worries:Discuss your fears with your partner, a friend or a family member. Many women feel better after talking things out. Express your worries to your health care provider. His or her medical expertise and background can dispel many fears. Educate yourself. The more you know the less you fear. Head to the library or log onto the Internet to research your worries. Occasionally, worrying can lead to obsession or depression. Signs of unhealthy fears include changed eating or sleeping habits that don't return to normal, like inability to get out of bed or feelings of constant unhappiness. These symptoms warrant a visit with your doctor.
Case study
 Twenty-six-year-old Samantha Allester lives in Herfordshire with her partner Jamie and her eleven-month-old son Felix. Samantha and Jamie hadn’t planned to have a baby so when she first found out she was pregnant she was amazed, shocked, happy and worried all at once.
Samantha experienced a lot of worries during her pregnancy, such as bleeding and worries that Felix might be Down Syndrome, making it quite stressful at times. She says: “My experience of being pregnant was a series up ups and downs. Generally I felt that I didn't enjoy it as much I thought I would. Emotionally it was tough going due to all the problems and physically it was intrusive at the beginning. But it was worth every second as Felix is the happiest, healthiest little boy, full of smiles and laughter and I feel so lucky to have him.”
Samantha advises mums-to-be to eat healthily, relax as much as possible and to put you and your baby before anything-else. She says: “Swimming was the best thing for me when I was pregnant and I went at least three times a week. It helped keep me fit and the relief when you get in the water is amazing.”
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