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When you’re expecting a baby, there’s so much to think about and prepare for. There are doctor appointments, picking baby names, creating a registry, and buying all the essentials. But there’s one more thing that should be at the top of the list and deserves attention: the mom’s emotional wellbeing.
According to The Conversation, the mother’s mental wellbeing can have a significant impact on the baby’s overall health. If you or your loved one are a mom or mom-to-be, there is a lot that can be done in order to help maintain the emotional balance. And it’s not necessarily about big things and grand gestures. Sometimes, it's the details and small steps that matter most.
Paying Attention to Your Emotions
Emotions shape more than just your mood. They can influence how you go about your day, your behavior and your relationships. Feelings are real and they are important. Perhaps that’s why a mother’s mental health during pregnancy is so important. In fact, according to a study published by the Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal in 2009, it can even have a direct effect on her baby, even before birth.
A good way to take care of yourself during pregnancy and also after the birth is to pay close attention to your emotions. This is a great way for friends and family to be involved, as it can be difficult for you to be objective about how you are feeling. Your mental state and wellbeing is just as important and worth taking care of as all the doctor visits you are going to for the baby.
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Adjusting to Your New Life
Transitioning into parenthood, whether it’s your first child, or you’re welcoming a new family member, or even getting used to a child’s new milestone or stage can be beautiful, and also challenging. They can both be true and simultaneous, and accepting that fact can in and of itself come as a relief. A blog on COPE, an Australian organization for new and expectant parents, explains that it is crucial for moms to acknowledge their feelings and be able to express them.
This means people around you need to be accepting and create a safe and secure environment for you to express yourself and your feelings. This may sound like a small detail, but if you are going through something as life changing and vulnerable as being a new parent can be, it can make the world of a difference.
Another important thing to watch out for is, are you getting enough rest and sleep? It may be easier said than done, especially when it comes to the uncomfortable last few weeks of pregnancy or life with a newborn who eats around the clock. According to the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, sleep and rest are an essential part of recovery and can have a direct effect on your state of mind and emotional wellbeing in addition to your physical health.
One of the simplest and most powerful ways you can get support is by simply asking for it. This may sound simple and obvious, but asking directly can make a huge difference. Clear communication helps everyone understand how to offer the right support.
When you feel heard, seen and valued, it not only helps to boost your happiness but also gives you the balance and emotional strength needed to nurture and care for the baby. When you feel happy and supported, you can create a strong, healthy start for your baby to grow and thrive too.
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