5 Things to Learn from Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it’s also a time to learn and grow as a person. People often say that having a baby changes you, but the changing usually begins long before your baby is born. Read on to learn some of the most important things learned from pregnancy.
1. It’s Okay to Be Assertive
You may be the type of person who goes with the flow and never speaks up when you don’t like how things are going. Yet when you’re pregnant, you may see your assertive side start to come out. You might find yourself asking for things you want or need and saying something if things aren’t fair.
Some of this newfound assertiveness may just be the hormones talking. Pregnancy hormones can make you bolder and often less patient. Being pregnant also makes you feel a little more important, as you’re now responsible for another person. If you feel like something is unsafe for your baby, you’ll be ready to take a stand.
2. Maternal Health Is Important
While your baby’s health is of the utmost importance, your health is important, too. You should practice self-care throughout your pregnancy. Make sure to go to all of your prenatal visits. If something doesn’t feel right, bring it up with your doctor. Sometimes you’ll know intuitively that something is wrong, even if your doctor dismisses it.
One such issue expectant mother’s face is cardiac arrest. While the condition is rare, pregnancy can put stress on your heart. You should call 911 if you experience chest pains or difficulty breathing. If you do stop breathing, you can perform CPR on pregnant woman. You can also use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for CPR on a pregnant woman.
3. You’ll Have a New Set of Priorities
From the moment you realize you’re pregnant, your priorities will shift. You may change your mind about things that you thought you’d never waver on. For example, you may have a small apartment in the city that you and your partner adore. The two of you might always say that nothing would make you want to move, not even having kids. Yet once you’re actually pregnant, you find yourself dreaming of a different housing situation.
Pregnancy makes you see things differently, and just like with the assertiveness, it’s not just the hormones. Babies tend to put things in perspective, and you may have an epiphany about what’s truly important to you.
4. The Last Month Is Rough
Each month of pregnancy has its ups and downs. The first months are filled with excitement, but also some worry and morning sickness. The months in the middle aren’t too bad, but you may start to get uncomfortable as you put on weight. The last month of pregnancy, though, can be excruciating.
On the one hand, you’re in the home stretch, and you have something exciting to look forward to. However, this is the time when you really begin to feel how big you are. Everything becomes a struggle, even turning over in bed and driving your car. Your baby will inevitably get in uncomfortable positions, usually pressing on your ribs or your bladder.
The days tend to drag by as well. It may feel like the closer you get to your due date, the slower time passes. People will tell you to get as much sleep as you can and to enjoy your last few weeks without a child, but you’ll be too miserable to enjoy much of anything.
5. Due Dates Are Just an Estimate
When you go for your first prenatal appointment, your doctor will give you a due date. This date is based on the date of your last menstrual period. While doctors are pretty good at predicting when your baby will be born, it’s important to remember that due dates are just an estimate.
Your baby has a good chance of coming early, but if you’re like most of us, you’ll go a few days beyond your due date. Nothing feels more anticlimactic than finally making it to your due date, only for nothing to happen. Try to keep in mind that your due date is just a suggestion and that your baby will actually be born sometime in the window of a few days before or after that date.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy is an excellent time for reflection on who you are and what’s truly important to you. Take the time while you’re pregnant to focus on yourself and your and your baby’s health. Try to take each day as it comes and get ready to enjoy life with your new baby.
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