Pregnancy Preparedness Part II: What’s Your Parenting Identity?
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When couples first discover they are expecting a baby the euphoric feelings quickly turn to practical concerns. Are we financially ready? Will we be good enough parents? What will we do differently from our parents? Pregnancy offers a finite time period to prepare your parenting identity. Weighty morals and values are debated and dinners are spent discussing the baby’s taste in music, food and art. Increased responsibilities and trying to juggle priorities are strenuous on new families. Natural childbirth education values partners, moms and
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babies equally. The family’s health and well-being is paramount. Partners are immediately granted the role as mother’s coach and together, couples traverse the uncertain terrain from pregnancy to parenthood.
Empowered couples are informed parents that make decisions together. Parenting choices start during pregnancy and having an active partner minimizes fear for everyone. Natural childbirth education classes teach many techniques leading to greater health. Coaches support mom’s healthy nutrition by assisting with food shopping and
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preparation. Coaches are taught how to support mom in her pregnancy exercises. Counter pressure and hip squeeze techniques become second nature. Deep relaxation occurs when the coach describes their repertoire of relaxation methods: melodic crashing waves, majestic snow covered mountains, floating feathers and other stress-relieving imagery. Coaches may need to take on a bouncer-like role, protecting mom from superfluous medical interventions. The coach may stand at her side ready to deter the overly eager anesthesiologist. Under the coach’s care,
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powerful contractions must subside before allowing cervical checks, fetal monitoring or any other distractions.
As contractions become more challenging, mom has a well-trained coach supporting her with every subtle twinge. The coach recognizes her furrowed left brow as a sign of imposing pain and reminds her to release the tension. The valued coach rehydrates her dry mouth and dims the light to create serenity. Coach anticipates mom’s needs whether spoken or unspoken.
Parents identifying as a team are confident and fortified to withstand
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challenges. Babies cry, babies need infinite amounts of attention and they love to be loved. The foundation of a healthy family begins with a strong partnership focused on working together to achieve a healthy pregnancy and labor. Determining parental identity requires evaluating strengths and weakness. Natural childbirth is an endeavor that invites support, turning to the one you love is essential.
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Molly England - 3 Nov 15
When couples first discover they are expecting a baby the euphoric feelings quickly turn to practical concerns. Are we financially ready? Will we be good enough parents? What will we do differently from our parents? Pregnancy offers a finite time period to prepare your parenting identity. Weighty morals and values are debated and dinners are spent discussing the baby’s taste in music, food and art. Increased responsibilities and trying to juggle priorities are strenuous on new families. Natural childbirth education values partners, moms and babies equally. The family’s health and well-being is paramount. Partners are immediately granted the role as mother’s coach and together, couples traverse the uncertain terrain from pregnancy to parenthood.
Empowered couples are informed parents that make decisions together. Parenting choices start during pregnancy and having an active partner minimizes fear for everyone. Natural childbirth education classes teach many techniques leading to greater health. Coaches support mom’s healthy nutrition by assisting with food shopping and preparation. Coaches are taught how to support mom in her pregnancy exercises. Counter pressure and hip squeeze techniques become second nature. Deep relaxation occurs when the coach describes their repertoire of relaxation methods: melodic crashing waves, majestic snow covered mountains, floating feathers and other stress-relieving imagery. Coaches may need to take on a bouncer-like role, protecting mom from superfluous medical interventions. The coach may stand at her side ready to deter the overly eager anesthesiologist. Under the coach’s care, powerful contractions must subside before allowing cervical checks, fetal monitoring or any other distractions.
As contractions become more challenging, mom has a well-trained coach supporting her with every subtle twinge. The coach recognizes her furrowed left brow as a sign of imposing pain and reminds her to release the tension. The valued coach rehydrates her dry mouth and dims the light to create serenity. Coach anticipates mom’s needs whether spoken or unspoken.
Parents identifying as a team are confident and fortified to withstand challenges. Babies cry, babies need infinite amounts of attention and they love to be loved. The foundation of a healthy family begins with a strong partnership focused on working together to achieve a healthy pregnancy and labor. Determining parental identity requires evaluating strengths and weakness. Natural childbirth is an endeavor that invites support, turning to the one you love is essential.
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Molly England perpetually attempts to simplify her life. She aspires to be a decent mother, wife, daughter and friend. Meanwhile, she processes the daily chaos and beauty by jotting down her thoughts. Molly’s writing is featured in The Washington Post, Scary Mommy, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Holistic Parenting Magazine, Parent.co, Sammiches & Psych Meds, Red Tricycle, and more.