During pregnancy, a woman is in a state of constant waiting. Although life seems to go on as usual, psychologically expectant parents are more in the future than in the present. Our psychologist Vera Yasnaya tells us how to cope with the problems that arise during this period.
There are many scientific studies, books, and films about intrauterine development. It is believed that at a certain period of development, the baby can react to familiar voices, pleasant or unpleasant music … Probably, he is no less sensitive to the psychological state of the mother, because maternal hormones are transmitted to him.
At the same time, the beginnings of a future relationship between mother and child begin to be laid. The expectant mother always listens to the new life that has arisen inside her. Studies show that those mothers who perceive the growing baby as a separate being, a “personality” (which in fact can only be spoken of by the age of two), in the future, form a healthier and more fulfilling relationship with the child.
The psychological state of a pregnant woman is largely determined by her hormonal background. That’s why there are unexpected whims, mood swings, fears… The main thing at this time is to know that it will pass and change when the child is born.
What is useful and what is harmful for the state of mind of the future mother? It is useful to have more rest, do your favorite and pleasant things, spend time in the fresh air and move more-within reasonable limits. And, of course, the support of your loved ones is very important at this time. It is harmful to overload yourself with work, especially nervous, and other worries, to sit in one place and read forums for pregnant women-there is a desire to try on all the horrors described there for yourself.
But life is life — where can you get away from nervous work, fatigue, a stuffy city and various small troubles? In addition, in the months before the birth of a child, you need to have time to do a lot of necessary things — prepare a house for the future baby, finish some things at work — because after the birth, the life of the mother and the whole family will change very much, at least for a while.
For many expectant mothers, the time after the birth of a child seems happy and serene. Probably, this is a defense mechanism invented by nature, which helps to ensure the continuation of the genus and the normal course of pregnancy. Courses for expectant parents usually focus more on psychological preparation for childbirth, but it is equally important to be psychologically prepared for the postpartum period. Of course, there are ideal children who eat by the hour, sleep well both day and night, do not get sick and calmly tolerate wet diapers. But there aren’t many of them. And it is likely that parents and the baby are waiting for urticaria, an unhealed navel, abdominal cramps, crying for some unknown reason and many sleepless nights.
Does that sound scary? There is nothing terrible in all this. It’s just that the child needs to adapt to the new world — adults are not always happy with life either. And in a small child, the only way to communicate about yourself is to cry, and you need to prepare yourself psychologically during pregnancy for the fact that the child will certainly cry! Treat it more calmly — your good mood, your self-confidence will be appreciated not only by the baby himself, but also by all your loved ones!