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Passing the Pregnant Time
5 Things to Do While Waiting for Baby
By Shel Franco
Of course, you don't have to turn into a walking maid service or interior decorator to constructively pass the time at home. "Pregnancy is often a time of turning inwards, a time when our world gets smaller and what matters to us are the small comforts of home," Dr. Hassan says. "Allow yourself to savor the pause before the parade; take long baths, read a novel, luxuriate in slowing down."
Towards the end of pregnancy, when you're feeling huge and utterly exhausted, getting out and socializing is probably not high on your list. Avoiding your friends and family, though, is only depriving you of a wonderful opportunity to pass the time.
"Not all women feel good during this time, and there's no right way to feel, but there can be a great deal of expectation and or pressure to feel a particular way," Dr. Hassan says. "Try and be accepting of whatever it is you are feeling. It may be a time when you are worrying about the labor or how you will be as a parent and whether you will replicate patterns in your own family, which you wish to leave behind. Talking to trusted others about these concerns may be helpful. Seek out the ear of a respected elder who will listen with an open heart and share these concerns with someone who will empathize and not judge."
Of all these tips, perhaps this is the most important. Dr. Hassan believes that focusing on strengthening your relationship is invauable. "Having a baby places a great deal of stress on a relationship, just as any major life change does," she says. "Taking time to strengthen your bond with your partner will be time well spent. Talk about what your dreams are, what your worries are, and what you hope for. Take time to really listen to your partner and to share with them what is truly important to you. Talk about what kind of parent you both want to be and what kind of parent you don't want to be. Clarifying your intentions can both strengthen your bond as parents and highlight what your parenting goals are."
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