 This post is for the partners. It's not unusual in pregnancy, for partners to feel somewhat disconnected to the pregnancy and the process. You're feeling changes happening in your body but your partner isn't. This is often especially true in the first two trimesters. Many partners at this point occupy themselves with more of the practical concerns of pregnancy. How will we be able to afford a baby? Is our home big enough etc.
Here are some things to think about as the non-pregnant partner.
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 In Seattle the weather is so changeable that people who live here have a saying, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes”. In the course of an hour it could go from overcast and gray to pouring rain to blue skies and sunny.
A lot of pregnant people find a similar thing happening with their emotions. One minute they’re happy with not a care in the world, and the next they’re bawling into the couch cushions because of a cute dog in a Super Bowl commercial. This is completely to be expected during the first trimester, but some pregnant people find it continuing and escalating into prenatal anxiety or depression, even with a very much wanted pregnancy. Postpartum depression is talked about a lot, but prenatal depression really isn’t so people don't realize it’s a thing. It’s actually the biggest prenatal complication suffered in pregnancy. if you are feeling anxious or depressed and it lasts two weeks or more, please reach out for help. And if it’s extreme, please don't wait the two weeks. Your OBGYN or midwife should be able to refer you to a perinatal therapist and may also check your thyroid. You can also contact Perinatal Support International who can refer you to therapists and support groups in your area. Prenatal depression is not something to be ashamed of and is absolutely something you should seek help with, in the same way you would for any other pregnancy complication. In my birth classes, I encourage families to download this app and take the test every week throughout your pregnancy and the first few months of your baby’s life. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day every week and take the test. Suggest your partner takes it too. Partners get prenatal and postpartum depression too and are less likely than pregnant people to seek help.  Are you planning a babymoon? Now is a perfect time to take a short trip with your loved one(s) before baby arrives. Whether you're planning a local destination that you can drive to or one further afield, here's my top tips for traveling at this stage of pregnancy.
Check in with your provider Check in with your medical provider and let them know of your plans. They know your unique medical situation and may have advice for you. Plan walk around breaks If you're driving, make sure to plan stops every few hours so you can out of the car and walk around. As you're probably noticing these days, being in any position for "to long" makes your back and legs hurt. You know you'll need to pee anyway! On a plane If you're flying to your destination, make sure to get up and walk the plane aisle every hour or so. You'll also benefit from wearing compression socks to minimize swelling and help prevent blood clots. Make sure to check with your airline when booking to find out what their cutoff date for flying when pregnant is ass this can differ between airlines. What to take Make sure to take with you your medical insurance details in case of emergencies. If traveling abroad, remember to take out travel insurance. Pack your prenatal vitamins and a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. And know that while you're pregnant, you're more susceptible to sunburn, so make sure to pack a strong sunblock if appropriate. Have a great time! Everybody poops.....except when they don't Can we talk about poop? 💩 I know, we should probably know each other better before we go there, but here we are anyway. Why poop? 💩 Because a lot of people at your stage in pregnancy are struggling with constipation. It's a very commmon part of the first trimester as the hormone progesterone rises in your body. That said, there are things you can do to try and help. 1. Eat more fibre. 🍏 I know; easier said than done in the first trimester when the mere thought of food makes you nauseous but if you can stomach it, fiber rich foods such as wholewheat crackers, banana, figs, avocados, oatmeal etc can be really beneficial in encouraging things to keep moving. 2. Drink ALL the water 💦 Drinking water smoothes the way so to speak, and helps keep what's in your intestines hydrated which in turn makes it easier to move. Many pregnant people buy one of those giant Stanley like water cups at this point and take it everywhere with them. Drinking water really is THE best way to help with constipation. 3. Go for a walk 🏃🏻♀️ Moving your body helps to keep EVERYTHING moving. So try and go for a walk or do a short pregnancy yoga video every day. (I like the Yoga with Adrienne videos you can watch for free online). 4. Consider a probiotic You'll need to talk to your doctor about this, but some pregnant people who are suffering from constipation have noticed a big difference when taking a probiotic that contains beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. 5. Take a look at your prenatal vitamins 🧪 Many prenatal vitamins contain iron which can contribute to constipation. If your's does, you might want to chat with your doctor about it. If your iron levels are healthy already, your doctor may suggest you take a different non-iron prenatal vitamin instead. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for keeping things moving. |
AuthorEmma is a childbirth educator, prenatal birth and postpartum massage therapist, doula and overall pregnancy and childbirth junkie living and working in Seattle WA. She's British too which is where the tea bit come from. In England, if you want to have a chat with your friend about anything really, someone puts the kettle on for a nice cup of tea. It doesn't matter what the topic is, a nice cup of tea relaxes everyone, makes the conversation flow easier and generally makes everyone feel good. So you're invited to brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea, pull up a chair around Emma's kitchen table and let's have a good chat, (or chinwag as we say in the UK), about birthy stuff. Archives
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