There are so many questions, concerns, and moments of joy when you find out you are pregnant. Many may not find the need to ask questions or wonder, but for me I knew I needed to educate myself for these next 9 months, let alone what is to come once the baby arrives. Be careful a good amount of advice is sufficient, too many opinions can start to stress you out, and that is the last thing you need for your little “nugget”, especially during the first trimester.
Mother Knows Best- The first person I was most excited to share the news with and ask every question possible was clearly my mother. After learning what she went through with my siblings, to symptoms, to even how she carried to term I realized how helpful she was. More importantly, my mother was reassuring, and it creates a bigger than before bond with your Mother.
Fellow Mommies/ Friends- I was always the last girl in my sorority to get married, and now the last to become pregnant. Thankfully I have many wonderful mommies to turn to. I called upon all new and old mommies to share the news ( when appropriate of course) to get new mommy to be advice. I highly recommend this because of two major reasons. 1) If you are a partier like me, it opens up relationships with girlfriends who have paved the path to becoming a mom, and life got busy, but there is much new content to reopen friendships and with women who know what you are going through. 2) Their stories and experience matters. It matters because it should, but it helps you learn from their mistakes and gains. Each time I told a good friend I was pregnant- it may have been a wonderful moment I will never forget. Keep a journal of these moments, I did and I will re- read them over and over.
Books/ Apps- There is so much content out there today. I actually found that there was too much and it was overwhelming. Many moms told me to join groups and chat rooms. The moment I did that – I realized that it was the worse thing to do. Part of the beauty of being pregnant is finding out as you go. I am in my 14th week for this entry and I can say that I am using three literal sources and highly recommend them here:
- Book-The famous ” What to Expect When You Are Expecting” pregnancy guide is written by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel. Published in 1984, over 15 Million copies, and said to be the “bible” for American pregnancy. I will say however, that it can terrify you… There were some chapters where I started to become paranoid. But overall it has been very helpful and right on the money.
- App- My Pregnancy Today App for your smart phone is wonderful. It not only tells you where your baby is for the week during pregnancy, but gives you great tools. The app has a “bumpie selfie” too, which allows you to take a picture of your bump each week, and it is recorded. There are weekly tips to do with your spouse in preparation, and a mental checklist for the week. Download this stat.
OBYN- The Man in Charge is your best educator other than your mom. You obstetrician should be the person you call upon for any questions or concerns- period.
