This guest post is written by Jenn Mullin, a freelance writer, focusing on social, economic, and political issues. Her inspiration is writing about topics which provoke thought and start conversations surrounding important and controversial issues.
Pregnancy is a time that heralds a great change in your life and in the lives of those closest to you. Many people experience a great deal of stress that can detract from the joy of carrying a child.
Reconnecting to your spiritual side during the process can help you retain your balance inside and out. Spirituality is all about connection—a deep connection to who you are, the world around you, and the way that you feel.
It’s also a deeply personal definition that allows each of us to have and nurture our relationship with our environment and other people in our lives. Spirituality doesn’t have to be relegated to any single religion or belief system.
Psychology Today defines spirituality as, “a boundary-less dimension of human experience.” This leaves the concept completely open to the interpretation of the person undergoing the experience.
In this sense, pregnancy is the ideal time to find and nurture your inner self. As you connect to your growing child, you can redefine your purpose as a person and grow the boundaries of your life to include someone new.
Your child will be an extension of your values, beliefs, and of your experience with the world. Staying in touch with the best parts of yourself has never been more important.
Embracing the process
Growing your family is the very definition of change. It’s extremely important to prepare yourself for what’s happening to your body and your life. Even if they weren’t a spiritual person to start with, many women report an elevated feeling of connection throughout their pregnancy.
Creating and carrying life is a huge concept when you stop to think about it. Embracing the process involves accepting the changes going on in and out of your body. This can be difficult as we watch our waistline spread and deal with physical changes that make us feel awkward in our own skin.
Visualization is an excellent tool to use when coping with these types of changes. It can help to imagine the tiny baby growing inside of our bodies. Think about what your child looks like and how they’re interacting with you already.
Then visualize the changes that your body will go through throughout this journey. Try to look at every change in a positive light. Think about making more room for your baby and providing them with the best home possible.
This type of exercise can help you embrace your body as it adapts for childbirth. This is a beautiful and natural thing. Some women struggle with considering themselves attractive when going through this. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
It’s more important than ever to love yourself during your pregnancy. Love what your body can do for your child, and love the way that your life is moving forward in a positive direction.
Preparing for new life
As you prepare your home for the new baby, you’ll need to prepare yourself emotionally and spiritually as well. Many women face things like postpartum depression after giving birth.
This condition usually results from hormones but can also be due to the significant changes going on in a person’s life. It’s critical to care for your emotional health before and after the pregnancy.
Some women turn to yoga or meditation at this time. This allows them to take time out of their day for themselves, and to focus on their needs. After the baby comes, things will get significantly busier, so it’s important to ensure that you relax and take time to pamper yourself a bit before it’s time to start dividing your attention.
Sometimes, physical symptoms can also cause depression and interfere with our ability to feel connected. Many people combine remedies that align with their spiritual beliefs during their pregnancies.
It’s always important to ensure that these things are safe to use before taking anything. Some herbs and natural remedies may actually be harmful during pregnancy. Unfortunately, helpful things like ashwagandha and pregnancy don’t always mix. Ashwagandha is a popular Ayurvedic herb and method for treating several conditions.
Always consult with your physician before taking anything. The goal is to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible, inside and out.
Reconnecting with your partner
Your partner can also experience stress and anxiety throughout your pregnancy. They, too, are facing many changes and trying to deal with a shifting focus in their life.
Both of you are responsible for this new life, and that ties the two of you together in ways that you may not have imagined before. Embracing this deeper connection can be a great way to take your love to an entirely new level.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and really involve your partner in the spiritual side of your pregnancy. The more connected both of you feel to your new baby, the easier the transition will be when it’s time to introduce that new life into yours.
Strengthening your relationship prior to birth is a great way to ensure that you’re both on the same page and to create a more cohesive support system. Your child deserves a happy home, and both of you working together can provide this.
Restoring new balance
After your baby’s birth, the centre of gravity in your life will change. This shift can throw people off balance emotionally and spiritually. It’s important to have a strong connection to these parts of yourself to find balance at this time.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, spiritual leaders, and loved ones for help. A new baby has a way of bringing people together that is both profound and enlightening. Pregnancy and birth can be an outlet for spiritual growth and take you to a better place in your life.
