The emotional roller coaster that is Pregnancy
As much as we adore the idea of pregnancy and love the idea of carrying a miracle within our womb, and as much as we realize that pregnancy itself is a ni’mat from Allah SWT, the reality for many women is quite the opposite.
Physical discomfort
Many expecting women experience physical discomfort. Aches and pains, sciatic nerve pain and incredibly tender, sometimes swollen breasts are the most common.
Psychological discomfort
There’s also the fear about giving birth. Most women experience this to some extent during their pregnancy, however for a small percentage of women it manifests in different psychological symptoms that cause severe anxiety. There’s a word for it. It’s called Tokophobia. Knowing this, knowing that what you’re feeling is normal, is usually comforting for clients in that they realize that they are not alone.
With first time moms, we’ve found that many also question their own ‘worthiness’ of being a mother. Will I be able to cope with it? What if I’m not cut out for it? What if I do something wrong? These kinds of thoughts definitely shape a negative mindset.
Also, you know, when you’re pregnant, everybody has some advice to offer, old wives tales to tell or inquisitive questions to ask, even random people coming up to ask if they can feel your belly… And, depending on your personality, it might seem like your personal space is being invaded. You know, we’re all different. Some ladies prefer a private pregnancy…
Different scenarios to consider
There are also many different scenarios to consider.
° For one, an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy can bring about fear, anger, frustration…
° A rainbow pregnancy, that is a pregnancy after having miscarried previously, might be filled with anxiety and constant nerves. This is also true for women who have battled infertility.
° Also, women who are experiencing trying circumstances in life, in general, might not be too thrilled about throwing a pregnancy into the mix!
If you fall into any of the above categories and are finding it difficult to adjust to your new normal, it is in your best interest to chat with your doctor or a counselor who specializes in perinatal mental health.
Stay well, inside and out
Waheeda, a.k.a Waydi
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