You can’t be a little bit pregnant, you’re either pregnant or not! Pregnancy is holistic: your body, mind and soul are all affected, as they also are for your unborn child.
Practically, it means that not only are the external issues important, such as examinations, ultrasound images, the baby’s weight and your waist circumference but other things are equally important, that are less measurable.
Space for the mental and emotional changes
It’s very important that you make room for all the changes you experience. So give yourself time and space to deal with them. It means that you cannot go on living as if you are not pregnant. Your body will make this fairly impossible anyway. You need rest and the chance to get involved with the changes that you’re experiencing. You don’t have to stay in bed or stop working of course, though some women often want to, you don’t even have to meditate really – even though it’s helpful. It’s enough that you take time in the evenings and on the weekends to focus on you and the baby.
Feeling good is important
We often overestimate our capabilities when pregnant: so much has to be done and a schedule is more important than ever. Make room for the experience and taking care of yourself and the baby. This shouldn’t be last on the list – it’s the most important thing to consider. It will give you personal strength and will help you build a strong relationship with the baby which is fundamental.
Creativity and pregnancy
Pregnancy and creativity go together. Creativity is a life force and during pregnancy it is particularly strong, after all, making a baby through a physical union is one of life’s most creative acts.
During pregnancy, your body will react to things differently because it has another priority: the baby. You will feel physically more open, more flexible and more relaxed, while at the same time your mind will absorb new ideas and feel new emotions. During a more difficult pregnancy, such creative ideas and emotions can help bring peace and balance.
All your feelings of nurturing and love need to be expressed and any negative feelings can be dealt with more easily. Not only by direct expression of feelings will you benefit from creativity but even if you don’t directly explore or express them, they will help to nourish you and find balance.
All of this is much more than a creative act, which is precisely why it’s important to take the time for creative expression during your pregnancy. But even if you don’t yet have a creative outlet, pregnancy is the perfect time to find it.
