Will I Be A Good Mother? Managing Prenatal Anxiety
With just a few weeks to go until your baby's grand entrance, you may be starting to think beyond the birth. Babies do not come with instructions, so you may be asking yourself whether you will be up for the task of motherhood.
Being a good mother.
Although you are filled with joy when thinking about the baby you are expecting, you are also full of doubt. You ask yourself whether you will be a good mother, and if the two of you will be good parents. This is totally normal. The truth is nobody is born a parent. Before the arrival of your first child, you are, above all, the daughter of your mother and your partner is primarily the son of his father. In your mind, you both have a dream child, to whom you will be dream parents but, in reality, it will be your child that will make you parents as you take part in his/her life. So, don’t worry about it unnecessarily, when the time comes, you’ll learn to cope.
Discover Haptonomy.
Haptonomy offers the mother and father an opportunity to establish emotional contact with the baby by caressing the mother’s abdomen in an affectionate way. Touch is the first of the five senses that a baby develops. The concept behind haptonomy is that the sooner the baby feels in touch with his/her parents, the sooner he or she will feel safe. At birth, the "haptomic holding" technique, holding the child by its base, allows him or her to quickly gain independence. Haptonomy allows the future parents to establish a first contact, and experience the development of their future baby together, before the birth. It´s more than a preparation for the birth; it´s a preparation for parenthood.
Take the leading role in your pregnancy.
There is no magic formula to becoming a good parent but an early relationship with the child, even before birth can help. It is therefore necessary for you to talk to your baby, tell him/her what you´re doing, what you see, what you feel, have him/her listen to the music you like and share your meals, as your baby derives the nutrients from your diet.
You should enjoy your pregnancy, living precious moments of shared experience with your child. Have confidence in yourself. This will gradually prepare you for maternity, and without a doubt it will be an enjoyable time.
Related articles
Your 12th Week of Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of an apricot. It measures 5 cm from crown to rump, and 7.5cm from crown to heel. It weighs 18g. It now looks just like a little human being.
2 mins to read
Stay active to help keep weight in check & increase chances of an easier birth
2 mins to read
3-week pregnant: baby development and diet advice
You’re at the very beginning of the journey. You can’t see anything yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot going on.
3 mins to read
38-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Two more weeks! Yes, it’s true, you and your little one will soon be making each other’s acquaintance. Everything is pretty much in place. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Critical foods to help you get pregnant
Why are folic acid and iron essential vitamins to take prior to conception? In which foods will I find them? Should I eat them before I get pregnant?
3 mins to read
How to cope with first trimester anxiety
Suffering from first trimester anxiety? You’re not alone, 1 in 10 pregnant women experience this pregnancy symptom in their first trimester. Here’s how to keep the feelings under control.
2 mins to read
Your baby-ready diet
Enjoy the recommended servings from the five food groups to give your baby-to-be a healthy start! Healthy and moderately active?
1 min to read
16-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
If you could see inside yourself and watch your growing baby, you might soon see him sucking his thumb! He has finally managed to get it into his mouth.
2 mins to read
Pregnancy Week by Week
I got the results of my pregnancy test and I’m pregnant! I’m going to be a mom! How can I find out about the different stages of pregnancy week by week?
7 mins to read
Children’s dental care checklist
Looking after our teeth is a lifelong undertaking so it helps to get off to a good start.
2 mins to read
Preconception meal plan: here is what a day of food could look like
Preconception meal plan: get an idea of what your ideal daily menu would look like to set yourself up for a healthy pregnancy.
1 min to read
28-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your little one is around 35 cm long from crown to toe and already weights about 1.3 kilos, a third of her birth weight. Her feet measure nearly 6 cm – yes, they are tiny!
2 mins to read
Your 16th Week of Pregnancy
Your baby is now the size of a grapefruit. Your baby measures 9cm from crown to rump, and 14cm from crown to heel. It now weighs about 110g, the weight of a small apple. You could
3 mins to read
Making healthy diet choices during your pregnancy has many benefits
5 mins to read
4-week pregnancy: baby development and diet advice
Almost one month already! There are lots of things happening inside you this week.
3 mins to read
39-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You might have felt a few contractions already and were wondering if that was “it”. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the start of labour! Read more about this next to last week.
3 mins to read
Feeling Emotional? It's Those Surging Hormones!
If you are feeling particularly sensitive right now, don't be concerned.
3 mins to read
Questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment
Your very first prenatal appointment is here—exciting! With so much going on, it helps to have a list of pregnancy questions on hand to ask your healthcare provider.
2 mins to read
What exercise can you do while pregnant, and when?
Exercising while you’re pregnant is important for you and your baby’s health. Physical activity can help you control your weight gain, lift your mood, and even help labor go more smoothly.
4 mins to read
