One of the biggest miracles we experience in humanity is the miracle and privilege of creating life. Humanity as whole is a wonderful and effervescent species yet we also do live in a globally capitalized environment, therefore making the differences between, health and happiness often become challenged by market, medicine and not always ideally governed free world. I think we can all agree that ideally, we all want to raise our children to be happy, successful and give them the best life to our ability as parents. In a world as busy, chaotic and loud as we live today, alongside it's wonderful aspects, there are beyond an overwhelming amount of choices, decisions, opinions, distractions and ideals to what that life may be, which is dependent on culture, location, age factors, social peer groups, economy and medical jurisdiction, which also varies on location. I am writing this article to hopefully enlighten and relieve couples of an intense amount of stress and pressure couples can experience in what is one of the happiest times of our human experiences, as this is the biggest miracle of your life! You deserve to enjoy it stress free, with love and this will greatly impact your child and your transition into becoming a parent. This article focuses on the natural minded parents who approach birthing and child bearing as a very organic process with use of any minimal drugs and medications, medical intervention and trusting their own approach therefore wanting to make choices surrounding this doctrine.
I can first offer you two pieces of advice, one may sound very cliché, yet so very true and the other possibly seemingly controversial, yet it comes with a side effect a pure relaxation and empowerment. My first piece of advice is: Always trust your instincts. If you have a feeling, a notion, a wonder a thought, a curiosity, a loving sensation, down to a straight up worry, never ignore it, follow it. These feelings within you are unique to you and your baby, as a mother and father you will learn that these instincts are well written into your DNA and even if you are concerned you may not have the natural instincts, I assure you, you do. As a living breathing human being you were born with every ability to naturally grow, raise and nurture your little ones. I'm not saying there are not things we need to learn as parents however, when these instincts and feelings within you arise, never feel pressured or stressed to not allow yourself to educate yourself further but at the same time keeping to what in your heart feels right for you. We are all very unique and composed so differently from human to human, no answer is solely independent to one person and can vary from family to family based on so many different things. So if you read or learn the opinion of one doctor, midwife etc. it can vary greatly to the next, hence allow these people act as guidance but always trust yourself. Your child will benefit most from your independent choices and instincts.
My second piece of advice comes with something that was told me by an amazing healer, hypnotherapist and father of two, he said, "As a parent, you will ALWAYS be wrong". This one statement impacted me personally on a fundamental level in a positive way for a number of reasons. During the first trimester of my first baby, I was so concerned with diet, cleaning products, exercise and everything under the sun about what was safe to a point I nearly hibernated the entire first trimester to protect my son. It was very stressful but its positive effect allowed me to make the best decisions possible for our baby. I ate an extremely healthy diet targeting specific food groups to aid in the development of each organ as our baby was growing. I also minimized my exercise quite a bit which I later learned wasn't necessary until eventually I stopped listening to the dangers and harsh opinions of others and learned to trust myself, then seek further advice if necessary. The results have been a very fit, healthy and happy pregnancy from that day forward, but it did take me a good 4 months to relax. I just wish I had read an article like this in order to relieve me of the outside opinions and recommendations of a multitude of other medical professionals, parents, and well society! Let's face it, everyone has an opinion, rule, method, recommendation, danger or value which differs greatly from one person to the next. Not to mention health before pregnancies and other risk factors. I was fortunately a very healthy, fit nonsmoker with no medical conditions, so I was in a good place. Even those with health conditions however can still enjoy and deserve a happy pregnancy without being overwhelmed by doctors and outside opinion. You can do it safely and still feel happy and as though you are doing a good job!
Due to this fact that everyone differs in opinion and harbors their own approach, therefore we will always be constantly finding those who may disagree with us, knowing this in advance allows us to let go of that impending pressuring force outside our own worlds and accept we are raising our children not theirs and vice versa; therefore, we need to do what's right for us, believe this. No one of us is the same therefore, what's right for one person may vary greatly to the next. Always do what you think is best and please do not feel the strain of others opinions or challenges of your choices.
I can't iterate enough to you is that, there are FAR too many opinions, myths, invasive medical procedures and strains of outside influence, possibly even family related, that can affect our healthy states during this time, which due to hormones and emotions is normal but I firmly believe minimized so we can remain happy and healthy, THE BEST doctrine for your child period, is being happy and approaching it with this love, which you will unconditionally harbor with or without stressors. As life begins in the womb, this is where we can begin that journey of nurturing and helping our baby grow, thrive and become strong, beautiful little beings. Without keeping you involved in this article for too long, (don' t worry if you are interested, I will continue to elaborate in further articles in more specific topics in detail) I would also quickly like to mention medical approach. Modern Western medicine has and will advocate many medical/scientific procedures, which I will discuss in another article, including excessive ultra sounds, internal exams and unnecessary testing which I feel can instill fear and rob women and their partners of a safe happy experience, causing unnecessary concern and worry. These procedures are not necessary in my opinion if you are healthy, active and eating well. Your body will do what's it is meant to and it will tell you if something is wrong, only then do I feel it necessary to seek medical intervention. Appointments are great to keep track of symptoms, get good counsel from someone you trust, check weight and blood pressure (noninvasive), I am not saying ditch the doctors! They do wonderful things including deliver your baby! I just feel a more natural approach is the most peaceful for our and our baby's wellbeing due to the simple fact we have been having babies naturally for thousands of years. Why overcomplicate it with needles and tests, unless we have a very genuine concern, hereditary problem or illness. In that case its purpose is amazing and well served. I am grateful we have such healing during crisis.
As we believe and have chosen a natural birthing approach ourselves, good diet, exercise, no medications at birth etc. I don't expect everyone to feel the same and that's okay, actually it's great! If you feel safe and healthy in a hospital, at home, with an epidural, with your family, with your dog, I want you to keep that good chi and know your instincts are correct. That is your unique facet of human imprint, it is amazing and beautiful, there is no right or wrong, as long as you trust yourself and your health care, you will always be in good hands. As long as it is not harmful to you, your partner or your baby, you are always doing what's right; including the extremely, highly controversial and very important topic of vaccinations.
As for now I want you to leave this article knowing two things, you always have a choice and what you feel is right, is always best for you and your family. By trusting this value, you are being the best parent you can be so do not be discouraged, do not allow other people's opinions to affect you, your judgement is best. You will be amazing parents if you trust yourself!! Wishing you a beautiful, happy pregnancy with all its ups and downs! Those moments and memories will carry you through a lifetime!
Thank you for reading,
Lisenced Healer & Mother,
Gini