Lamaze Magazine 2009

body and mind for the big event and the prize waiting at the end. It may seem silly, but the e.V.e.r.e.S.T. acronym can help you remember to care for your body during the months before childbirth. eat: Take care to eat wisely and drink plenty of fluids. You don’t have to follow a precise diet, but be as healthful as possible in your everyday food choices. VISUaLIZe: Hold a positive picture in mind of your body blossoming into motherhood. The weight you’re gaining might not thrill you, but you’re working toward a very high purpose. eXeRCISe: Walking and yoga provide low-impact workouts that help condition your pregnant body while providing a healthy outlet for your heightened emotions. ReaD: Seek out magazines, Web sites and books that help you build confidence rather than cause you to worry about your body, your baby and your pregnancy. eNGaGe: Find a friend or two to share your concerns and questions within these early weeks. Connecting with those who understand the adjustments that come with pregnancy will bring you peace. SLeeP: Sufficient rest is key to your well-being throughout your pregnancy. like exercise, paying attention to your need for rest will help you deal with any shifting emotions. tRUSt: Self-affirmation doesn’t just happen. Increase your confidence in your ability to give birth by actively choosing to believe in yourself and your body. You know exactly what you’re doing. What if you continue to have trouble getting your mind around your new, everchanging body? Know that you’re not alone. The first few months of pregnancy are a time of tremendous change, driven by hormones and emotions. Worries can crop up along the way: lack of control over how your body looks, fear of losing your attractiveness, anxieties about labor, fear of the pain of giving birth, sacrifice in lifestyle now and in the future … the list can go on. Stop, take a breath and keep that “mountaintop goal” (that first moment when you will hold your newborn in your arms) in sight. There’s no doubt that, with every passing day, you will feel bigger because you are growing not just in pounds but in strength and femininity, too. make it a habit to let your hands rest on your pregnant belly and, in that quiet moment, consider all that is happening inside your body. Know that the life you feel at your fingertips is worth the gain. | Online: Read more at lamaze.org/magazine. the way you act, feel and think as an expectant mother actually has a profound impact on your baby. emotional Rescue Every woman experiences pregnancy in her own unique way, but one thing we all have in common is that it is always a very big deal emotionally.You’ve probably already had moments of intense joy and pride, deep-seated ambivalence, confidence about your ability to be a good parent and desperate hope that the baby comes with a really good instruction book. Throw a few pregnancy hormones into the mix and all of these feelings get very intense.You may It’s perfectly normal to experience and feel overwhelmed by dramatic mood swings during pregnancy. Here’s some advice on how to ride the ups and downs of this emotional roller coaster. find yourself crying easily at sappy commercials, things people say and life’s little frustrations. When you try to handle all of the psychological and emotional preparation for motherhood alone, it’s all that much harder. A hug goes a long way, so make sure to get lots of them. It’s normal to wonder about what’s going on inside of you and to be concerned about how life will change once the baby is born. As long as these thoughts are balanced with happy, positive ones, you’re okay. But if it seems like worries and negativity are winning the emotions war or affecting important relationships in your life, talk with your health-care provider or a professional counselor before your baby arrives. Think of these weeks as a gift of time during which to lay the emotional groundwork necessary to bring a new child into the world. By letting yourself experience and learn from your thoughts and feelings, you will find yourself better prepared for motherhood. lamaze maGazINe 2009 lamaze.orG http://www.lamaze.org/magazine http://www.lamaze.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Lamaze Magazine 2009

Lamaze Magazine 2009 Contents Essential Lamaze for Pregnancy Making Connections Body Beautiful Birth Day, Your Way Mother Knows Best Essential Lamaze for Birth Supporting Cast Labor Day Position Statement Comfort Zone Intervention Intelligence The Waiting Game Essential Lamaze for Parenting Nursing School Reality Check Sleep Tight Unforgettable

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