I actually kept a journal because of my previous losses. I figured that if I had a journal and lost the baby, I would still have some small piece of my missing baby. It was also a handy way for me to remember details that would later be forgotten.
Pleasantly, I was surprised when the pregnancy continued to advance. I was able to tell this baby in writing how much they would be loved and wanted. My husband wrote letters for my journal that are very special. Just think how much Isaac will enjoy these letters and entries when he is older.
So, how do you go about keeping a journal? Well, you can do it anyway you want. You can buy a cheap notebook and write in that. You can type letters into your computer. You can keep it online for others to share your ups and downs. Some women even start the journals before they get pregnant.
This is also another great way to keep updated on your medical procedures, appointments, etc. By being able to write about what you've done, what you've thought about, and what will be, you are able to have an accurate record for your next pregnancy. Maybe rereading how you felt about this test or that will change your mind about doing it the next time, or maybe you'll remember a complication that creeped up, when it could have been controlled better had you known about it. Plus, it's a lot easier than getting medical records from your practitioners!
You don't have to write often, you can write as much or as little as you want. There are no rules to this journal, except your rules. I tried to write something every week, because that's what I wanted to do. Some entries were happy, like when I would feel the baby move or hear his heartbeat. Some are sad, like when I was bleeding and thought my baby was dying. Some are plain exasperating, like when my mother was bugging me or I was upset with my care providers.
This pregnancy journal lends its way easily to a baby book, or a siblings journal. In that light this is a joint article done by three special women who will explain other aspects of journaling for pregnancy and small children.
