Becoming a parent can radically transform you. But long before you're even pregnant, you can begin thinking about how having a family may change the way you approach your life.
Knowing that you want to create a certain kind of family life will allow you to consider what changes you need to make to bring your baby into a sensitive, responsive, and loving environment. The following are steps you can take that can help you toward this end.
An extremely high-stress lifestyle isn't conducive to conceiving or carrying a baby to term, or to getting a baby off to a good start. A study of 44 women who were at risk of premature labor showed that they all had either a high level of stress in their lives, a high level of fear or anxiety about the birth, or many unrealistic demands placed on them with little support.
If having a baby is your main priority, start thinking now about rearranging your other priorities around this one. Consider reducing your workload or cutting back on the obligations that may have accumulated outside your work. Start taking time out of your day to take care of yourself. This self-care will become even more important when you're pregnant and after your baby is born.
