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 Concern
Treatment
 Pregnancy
Experiences
Pregnancy
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Maintaining Your Pregnancy
Words often fall short of describing the physical
and emotional journey of bearing a growing child inside you for
nine months, and the miracle of birth. Most women say that it must
be experienced to be fully understood. Nevertheless, there are
certain milestones that can be useful in gauging your own
feelings.
During the initial three months, there is often a feeling of
elation at the prospect of being pregnant, coupled with
apprehension about what lies ahead. Sudden mood swings and crying
spells are not unusual. During the middle three months, there is
growing sense of turning inward and bonding with your child. Your
changing body will begin to have an effect on your self-image and
how you interact with your partner. Worries about miscarriage fade
and are replaced with apprehensions as to whether you will measure
up as a mother. You will feel increasingly vulnerable and dependent
on your partner. In the last three months, growing physical
discomfort may be coupled with feelings of being unattractive. You
may begin to imagine the pains of labour and worry about being able
to get to the hospital fast enough.
Men’s feelings are often overlooked during pregnancy. This goes
back to gender stereotyping of the man as an unshakeable pillar of
support and his unwillingness to draw attention to himself. While
the first months of pregnancy may be marked by increasing intimacy
and closeness in the relationship, many men feel a sense of
rejection and loneliness as the woman turns inward and her sexual
desire diminishes. Some men try to bridge this gap subconsciously
by developing the couvade syndrome, in which they exhibit
psychosomatic symptoms of pregnancy, such as food cravings, nausea
and mood swings.
The incredible journey of pregnancy should be shared. Making time
to talk – and even more importantly – to listen, can go a long way
in preventing small misunderstandings from spinning out of control.
The experience of having a baby is not only a source of joy and
happiness in itself but can also bring you closer together as a
couple.
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