Pregnancy can be a magical time of excitement, fulfillment and change but, for many women, it can also be a time of vulnerability and a million questions.
Reassurance and support can come from your community midwife but, due to demands on their skills, time with them can be short and you can often remember the questions you wanted to ask as you walk out the door!
What do pregnant women need reassurance about? Day to day it is often about being healthy and safe and preparing for labour.
So where can you go for this reassurance and support? There are obviously a huge selection of websites and books to choose from and, for some, this will be all they need but many women still want to talk to a person to gain a clearer picture rather than making their way through different advice and information.
- Your midwife – if you need more of her time, ask for it! Chances are she will be busy but if you request more of her time, she will give it to you.
- Find yourself a pregnancy fitness specialist – pilates teacher and / or fitness instructors
- Use a chiropractor with experience of pregnancy to help new aches and niggles
- Treat yourself a massage with an experienced pregnancy practitioner – relax and let any stress fade away
- Book some good antenatal classes – ideally small groups where you get to talk and to ask all the questions you need to gain information and reassurance
- If you want to breastfeed your baby, it can be useful to find out more in pregnancy – your midwife will be able to tell you about the Breastfeeding Workshops at the local hospitals and Children’s Centres and it will be included in your antenatal classes. There is also La Leche League Tyne & Wear (http://www.llltyneandwear.edgoose.co.uk/) for more information and support.
- Take a wander around the Birth & Baby Network and you’ll find everything from antenatal classes and a chiropractor to pilates, aquanatal and massage. And if we don’t have what you need, just ask us.
There is nothing wrong with seeking out this extra support as your body, as well as your life, starts to experience significant change. Physical and emotional wellbeing are important in pregnancy, so look after yourself and put you and the bump first!
(image by Donald Greenhalgh)
