So I’ve finally mustered the courage to write about my personal experience of getting pregnant. I’m thinking of writing a series of blog posts about my Pregnancy Journey just to share my thoughts and feelings throughout this life-changing event.
I figured it would be good to document the process and keep a log on this site. Aside from being able to express my thoughts, I can also record what I’m going through along the way and maybe even some useful tips for other expecting mothers.
But before anything else, let me give an insight into my life prior to being a first-time mother.
My Life Before Getting Pregnant
Before deciding to start a family, my husband and I enjoyed our lives as a couple. We work in the travel industry and love exploring the world together. We’ve been married for 7 years and have been together for 10.
We each have our own careers and have professionally continued our jobs over the years. We also enjoyed going out for dinner and indulging ourselves with quality time together.
So yes, we’ve had our fun and we can say we didn’t rush into having a baby.
Why We Decided to Start a Family
It was a big decision for us and one that we didn’t take lightly. We knew we both wanted kids but had some reservations about the unknowns associated with parenthood. After all, it’s a big responsibility to raise a child and much like any first-time parent, we had some fears and apprehensions.
But at the end of the day, we both decided that it was time to take this big step in our lives. We’re glad that we were able to save for our future and build our careers as well as some humble investments.
After all, despite our desire to have children, we knew that we had to wait until we were emotionally, financially, and career-wise stable before starting a family. So we took our time, enjoying each other’s company, and cherishing our freedom.
Joy of Finding Out
I had been on the pill for years and stopped taking it when we decided it was time to start trying. We began tracking my ovulation cycles to increase the chances of conception. We also downloaded the Flo app on my smartphone and it made it all the more convenient to monitor my cycles. I tell you, if you’re a first-time mom, get the Flo App. It saved me a lot of hassle in monitoring my baby’s growth and learning about my pregnancy.
After three months of trying, I finally got the news that we were expecting. We couldn’t believe it at first but slowly came to terms with this life-changing event.
We were both so happy and excited to start this journey together. It was a surreal experience for us and we felt blessed to be part of such a miracle.
Learning About Our Pregnancy
As soon as we learned that I was pregnant, we had to make various changes and adaptations to our lives. Here are some of the ways that pregnancy impacted us:
- We changed our diets, eating more nutritious foods and drinking lots of water.
- We took more walks and went for hikes instead of going out to dinner or drinks.
- We started going over YouTube videos about childbirth, infant care, and breastfeeding.
- We began attending prenatal checkups regularly with our OB-GYN.
- We looked into baby furniture, car seats, strollers, and cribs for the nursery.
Total Shift of Focus
As an expectant mother, I have come to realize that pregnancy is a complete shift of focus for couples in more ways than one. The physical and emotional changes that come with having a baby are just the tip of the iceberg.
- Choosing an obstetrician/gynecologist
- Taking prenatal vitamins and supplements
- Eating a healthy diet during pregnancy
- Regular exercise and physical activity
- Monitoring fetal development for signs of abnormalities
- Making sure we get the recommended amount of rest each day
- Preparing my body for childbirth
- Possibility of hiring a doula for support
- Joining parenting classes or attending birthing classes
- Researching your options for pain relief during labor
- Planning ahead with maternity leave from work when possible
- Considering childcare options before the baby arrives (e.g. daycare, nanny)
As an expectant mother, I’m learning that the journey towards parenthood involves so much more than just the physical changes that come with pregnancy. It requires a complete adjustment of priorities and focus, as well as a willingness to adapt to the many changes that come with raising a child. While it may be overwhelming at times, I’m excited to embark on this new journey with my husband and to see what beautiful moments await us as we welcome our little one into the world.
Adjusting to physical and emotional changes
Pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and my husband and I had to adapt to the physical changes that accompanied it.
- Health Conscious – Being pregnant made me more mindful of my health. I had to adjust my diet and exercise routine, and I had more frequent doctor’s appointments. I had to make sure that I was doing everything I could to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
- No Travel Abroad – My husband and I loved to travel, but we had to cancel our travel plans once I got pregnant. We realized that traveling with a baby on the way was not only unsafe but also came with various challenges. We had to adjust our budget and find other ways to spend quality time together.
- Prepare for Parenthood – Pregnancy forced us to start thinking about parenthood seriously. We began reading books about childbirth and parenting, attending birthing classes, and getting our home ready for a new baby. We also had to prepare ourselves emotionally for the changes that would come with raising a child.
Summary
The journey towards pregnancy can be a transformative and life-changing experience for many women.
I’m sure it’s going to be intense, but I’m also very excited to experience this life-changing journey and finally welcome my little one into this world. The next few months will definitely be a roller coaster ride full of surprises, emotions, challenges, and adaptation. From getting used to morning sickness in the first trimester to preparing for labor in the third trimester- there are a whole lot of things that are bound to happen between now and then!
I am sure that along with all these changes come immense joy as well; so here’s me, documenting my pregnancy journey as it unfolds. Wish me luck!