Being YOU, is What Makes You A Great Mother.
Every pregnant woman feels like they are going crazy, your relationship may not be going the way that you want, or your constantly worried about your unborn baby, and why is this? It's because you are experiencing a wide range of emotions and hormonal changes that you have no control over. Let me assure you, that everything you are feeling is 100% valid and totally normal. People often like to make you feel like you're overreacting, being too emotional. or that you're making irrational decisions because of the hormones. And while your hormones are playing a major factor in your feelings during this time, all of those emotions you are experiencing are coming from a real place.
One minute you are feeling over the moon about your pregnancy, while the next minute you may be feeling scared or even disappointed. You might be disappointed because, you got pregnant unexpectedly and it wasn't a part of your plan, or you don't feel financially equipped to bring a baby into this world, or you already have a big family and didn't plan on adding any more additions to the household. Whatever the reason is, you have every right to feel how you feel. And trust me, you're not alone in those feelings.
Even some of the most successful and financially stable women have all of these negative thoughts running through their head. And guess what? YOU are capable, YOU can do this, and YOU are not a failure.
Society makes us think that we have to all of these glamorous things like, have a house with a big yard, a long relationship, or be an executive at some firm, but none of those things make you a good or bad mom. While these things would be nice for some people, yes. But it's not what makes you fit for parenting.
It's sickening how others put women down for not having something, or not waiting until *insert ridiculous notion* to have a baby. Babies are blessings and we should be supporting women through these times, not tearing them down and making them feel like they are going to be inadequate mothers.
So how do you overcome all of the negative talk and gossip during your pregnancy? Here's what I want to share with you...
1. Get Educated
People are constantly going to tell you what they think you should be doing to prepare yourself for pregnancy. And all you can do is take that unwarranted advice with a grain of salt. The best thing you can do for yourself is take a pre-natal, childbirth, and/or a parenting to course to learn as much you can about care for yourself and your baby. Knowledge is power, and what better way to quiet the haters than to be educated and skilled on newborn care.
2. Seek Mentorship/Coaching
Having a trained professional at your fingertips to help you prepare for motherhood is so beneficial. Being a mom is already hard enough, especially when you feel like you have to parent alone. A mommy mentor or motherhood coach can help you gain confidence, rediscover yourself after birth, help you land your dream career, and grow as a person so that you can become a better version of yourself.
3. Join a Support Group
You'll really have to get out of your comfort zone with this one, but mom support groups can really make a huge difference in the way you perceive yourself as a mother. Sometimes, we have to see other moms going through the same experiences we are in order to feel more at ease and know we are not alone.
Overall, you are the best person for the job. You are going to be an amazing mother, if you are not already. And you deserve support without judgment and sadly us moms don't always get that. With everything that you are experiencing, of course you feel overwhelmed. Who wouldn't! But you don't have to feel bad about it and you don't have to experience these feelings by yourself.
**For more information on pre-natal, childbirth education, parenting and motherhood coaching be sure to visit https://www.breastfeedingdoula.com/services to learn more!
