Top Questions During Pregnancy
If you are feeling like you have no idea what is going on…you are not alone! Here we will answer common questions we hear from our clients.
This is a time of change, growth, and uncertainty. I know during my pregnancies I always had so many questions. Here is a short list of some of the questions I receive from my clients that I thought would be helpful to share here. I know I wish I would have had access to this information during my pregnancies and childbirth. I do know that the more I learned, the more confident I became and the more I trusted the process of pregnancy and childbirth as well as trusting myself, my body, and my baby.
What should I eat?
Eating healthy is a very important part to a healthy and safe pregnancy and birth so just be sure you are eating a well-balanced and nutritionally dense diet (lots of colorful veggies, fish, eggs, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, complex carbs) as well as allowing yourself the chance to enjoy the cravings you are having. Being pregnant is a beautiful time and should be enjoyed. You are growing an incredibly healthy, strong, amazing baby and you are doing a great job!
Why are there so many tests?
I know there are many tests that Dr.'s like to run on you when you are pregnant, and I know you are doing everything you can to wade thru all the information...please just know that sometimes all of these tests can just make us more stressed out and ultimately do not improve or change the outcome of the birth. Some people put a lot of weight into tests/scans/procedures during pregnancy...and they are valuable and can absolutely help us understand what is going on better...BUT, only when they are necessary and evidence based. What I want you to take away from this, is that it is OK to ask questions, do your research, and know what is going on surrounding all of these tests/scans. When we put too much weight in these things, we lose focus and we lose a little bit of our own intuition and the trust of our own body to grow and birth a baby...which is tried and true and has worked for millennia for women of all walks. Trust your body. Trust the process. Focus on looking inward. You are doing great!
How do I handle all the new stress/anxiety/worry?
While I will not tell you to simply "not worry" as that is far easier said than done, I will tell you that all of that worry is surrounding things you can.not.control! So when the worry creeps in, you have to acknowledge it and say "hi, I see you but these things are out of my control. I trust my body. I trust my baby. I trust the process." and send that worry packing. I think it is important to give ourselves space and grace to worry and to feel all the feelings but to also work (like a muscle) on not letting it consume us. A tip I give my mamas if the anxiety or stress is consuming or overwhelming is to give themselves an allotted "worry time" each day. Maybe 15-20 minutes where you go to a quite place by yourself and let the worry in. And when that time is up, you tell yourself you are done worrying for the day. Or if the worry creeps up before the official "worry time", just remind yourself that you will deal with it at the designated time and then move on to whatever else you were doing. Additionally, I encourage writing your thoughts and feelings down. It is incredibly powerful to transfer the energy from our minds to paper...it will almost always makes you feel better. You can also try essential oils like lavender, herbal teas like chamomile at bedtime, moving your body 30 minutes a day, natural light and exposing yourself to the outdoors frequently. And at any point if the anxiety is interfering with your day-to-day life and not easily managed or becomes all consuming, then you must seek professional help. This is vital to your health and your babies health and there is no shame in asking for help! I would recommend asking your care provider for a therapist who specializes in pre-natal care. I wrote a more detailed blog post on this topic HERE.
Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?
YES! It is perfectly safe. And unless there is a specific medical indication (i.e., hypertension, early onset labor, swelling, etc.) as to why you should not fly, then you are perfectly fine here. I would definitely check in with your care provider if you are having any concerns beforehand. Additionally, I would just say trust your gut. If you feel like you can go, go. If not, trust your intuition.
How much “research” should I be doing to prepare?
There are many types of women and partners here. Some do all the research and compare all the things before making a final decision and some women like to be more laid back and on cruise control. There is no right or wrong. You have to do what works best for you...period. I always encourage being informed and making evidence based decisions...meaning go to reputable sources for information instead of just the world wide web. And try not to compare yourself to other women or anyone else. You do you boo! Find what you feel is most important to you and focus in on that and research that and enjoy that part of the process. This isn't about doing it without drugs or "natural"...its about doing it informed, empowered, and confident...because these exact things are what lead to a POSITIVE birth and a very satisfying experience. Some people say that "only the health of the baby matters"...and while this is obviously true...the health, happiness, and feelings of the mother MATTER...and they matter a whole bunch! Our birth experience matters! I say all of this to encourage you to be an active participant in your pregnancy and birth...in the way that works best for you. It doesn't have to look like anyone else...but do what works for you...make educated and informed decisions with confidence that you know what is best for you and your baby. Dr.'s do not deliver babies...mothers deliver babies. It is your body and you have the right to informed consent and evidence based care.
Should I take a childbirth education class?
YES! I highly recommend an out-of-hospital childbirth eduction class. It can positively impact your overall experience during pregnancy and childbirth. It also increases the chance of having a vaginal delivery and decreases the risk for cesarean surgery. A childbirth class is also a great place to get some topics that you can research further on your own. I think the hospital based class is good for understanding more about the “how to” for the hospital. In today’s world, I have found that most people enjoy having access to a childbirth education course online.
Should I take a breastfeeding class?
YES! What is important and valuable with taking a class is that it arms you with information and resources BEFORE the birth so you can prepare for things at home and also mentally for what it will look like or any potential challenges that may arise. Preparation is key here. While breastfeeding is very natural...it takes work. It can be difficult initially so having support and resources can make a huge difference. For our modern culture, many of us have not grown up around or been exposed to many breastfeeding women...which is how women "learned" previously. So taking a class is essential. I also recommend the book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". It was my bible when it came to nursing. For classes in the Atlanta area visit Breastfeed Atlanta for information, resources, and classes. Additionally, definitely check out La Leche League as they have tons of information and resources for nursing families.
What “should” I be doing?
This isn't for me to tell you. But I do like to walk through a "desired birth goals and principles" workbook for mom and dad as this will usually spark a few questions and can be used as a good launching point for what to do next or what to research next.
What are your recommendations for reading?
Want to learn more, I have compiled a list of books, videos, online resoureces and more. You can find the list of my top recommendations HERE.
ALL of your questions are important! Continue to ask, research, explore all the questions, concerns, desires you are having surrounding your pregnancy and birth and even about how you are feeling about becoming a mother.
Please feel free to post your top questions in the comments below!