Pregnattitudes – The A to Z!

Pregnattitudes – The A to Z!

Pregnancy often comes as a surprise, even for the most prepared. Usually, it’s a blend of emotions-excitement doused with apprehension, and sometimes happiness tinged with fear. Here we seek to way-lay your fears. It is important to maintain the right attitude throughout the 9-month-or- so journey. These 26 tips will make the trip towards motherhood not only bearable but also enjoyable.

Be:
Amicable: Be receptive to people and situations; not putting yourself out there and letting people tire you out, but simply smiling and not being that irritable. Keep an open mind, knowing that those special people around you understand that you are trying to adjust some great little guy(s) in there. Relax and be friendly.

Brave: All will be well. Do not be afraid.

Calm & composed: You could use a clear head, especially with some little guy(s) playing downstairs. Please, keep your cool.

Determined: to have a successful pregnancy and work at it with the help of your prenatal doctor/obstetrician and spouse/partner/family.

Enthusiastic: Celebrate your journey despite the hiccup called morning sickness.

Fit: Do healthy exercises regularly and come ‘Labour Day’, you will only have yourself to thank. Consult your doctor to be sure about what exercises you need to keep and those to avoid.

Genuine: It is important to be real with yourself and honest with your obstetrician. There will be many changes; understand and accept them, and do the needful.

Humour: This will go a long way in keeping your spirits high. Good humour will keep you in a good mood too, and this will also influence those around you positively. Enjoy laughter and see the funny side of life.

Informed: Get informed. This is a good time to learn about pregnancy. There is unlimited data on this topic. However, confirm authenticity of the material before you can rely on the information given.

Jovial: Being cheerful may not be the easiest thing, but surrounding yourself with people who are warm and cheerful surely helps. Good cheer is highly contagious. Catch it and spread it to the little bundle of joy in there. Smile at every opportunity.

Keen: Learn and understand yourself. Notice and monitor the changes in you, to be able to differentiate between normal and ‘need-medical-attention’ situations.

Lively: Keep the glow.

Motherly: In thought, word and deed. Think about your baby(s) right from the word go. Prepare yourself psychologically to be a mother. You may benefit greatly from elder female company.

Nourished: An increased requirement for nutrients is given by foetal growth and fat deposition. You need an adequate, balanced diet for both the pilot (you) and the little passenger(s) on board.

Optimistic & organized: Be organised from the very start by keeping a diary for your prenatal appointments, exercise and diet. Through all this, be very optimistic.

Prepared: Prepare for the arrival of the newborn well in advance to avoid unnecessary last minute stresses. Collect the must-have baby clothes; make sleeping arrangements with baby in mind; organize for extra help if you will need one. Maintain a positive attitude and steer clear of unnecessary stress.

Quick: Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you notice anything strange. You are better off raising a false alarm than waiting till it is too late.

Radiant: What we feel inside shows on our countenance. Smile at every opportunity. Feel good about yourself and strive to be happy always.

Serene: Take some time to relax. Be still and enjoy the peace. Taking a random walk on a fair weather day, simply watching animals in the serenity and tranquility of their natural habitat or enjoying some great soothing music may be a great help.

True: To yourself, hanging on to the positive things about yourself for that is what makes you special. Try to be your usual self despite the myriad changes within and without.

Unique: Not all expectant mothers look the same. You could carve out your own style and dressing. Comfort is key. However, it is no crime to add some style to it.

Vigilant: Monitor your body, observe your surroundings and watch your diet. Be alert, not paranoid, for anything that may be detrimental to your health and that of your baby(s). If you are in doubt, please consult your doctor.

Well: Body, soul and spirit. You need adequate rest, food and exercise served with laughter and topped with love. Involve your spouse and children and friends in your pregnancy-let them know you are well. Be warm, pleasant and laugh out loud.

Excellent: ‘You are what you repeatedly do’ Your baby is still part of you at this time. You smile, he smiles; you curse, he curses; you sneer, he sneers back … So be at your best for the sake of your baby.

Youthful: Your life does not stop. Be creative and active, and young at heart. Remember you will need to be playing with your baby so don’t be too serious, okay?

Zealous: Be expectant of good things and be energetic. Look forward to the pregnancy as well as the delivery.Enjoy this great journey of discovery.

Be beautiful: Because you are-no matter what anyone else may say.

They say Love begets Love. If this is true dear mama, then you birth what you are. So be that bundle of joy that you are expecting to meet at the end of your journey.

END: PG 23 /26-27