Mother Courage

Congratulations - you're going to be a mother! The nine-month rollercoaster commonly known as pregnancy is about to begin. Welcome to the first trimester.

If you’re like most pregnant women, you’ll probably experience a whole assortment of conflicting emotions during your first trimester including joy, confusion, and fear of the unknown – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As you move forward, you should know that fear and confusion are perfectly natural emotions for expectant mothers. You will be facing many unknowns, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. You might wonder about the changes happening in your body, and whether or not they are safe and “normal.” You might, like countless other pregnant women, be concerned about the pain of labor. If you find that you have lingering doubts, don’t beat yourself up – it’s part of the process. In fact, a little fear can be a healthy motivator if you learn to channel the energy it brings you into positive action.

On the other hand, too much fear can be dangerous for you and your baby. Physically, stress-related hormones and chemicals can decrease blood flow, thus decreasing the oxygen your growing baby needs to thrive. Psychologically, fear can lead to emotional paralysis. It’s an unfortunate paradox your fear comes from a desire to care for and protect your baby, but if left unchecked, it could put you in an emotional state that actually prevents you from caring for and protecting your baby.

You can move beyond this – don’t let fear get the upper hand, and don’t let it make you passive. You shouldn’t feel powerless to make a difference or resigned to let others take control. Conquering your fear is imperative, not only to having a healthy pregnancy and successful birth, but to being a responsible and attentive parent. There are resources that can help you with this process. Having a confidant, whether it be a spouse, parent, friend, or therapist, can make all the difference.

In addition, gathering knowledge is the best way to assuage fear of the unknown. Be willing to ask your doctor or midwife tough questions, and seek information from other sources as well. One of the healthiest and most empowering things you can do for yourself and your baby during this time of change is to face your fears, know what to expect, and learn what actions to take. The more you learn about pregnancy from your doctor or midwife, from other women who have been through it, and from the wealth of literature now available on the topic, the more confident and prepared you will feel to relax and enjoy the most wondrous of gifts the birth of your child.

Visit www.SafeBabySystem.com for more guidance in facing your fears and learning what actions to take.