here - Health Promotion Agency

Feelings and relationships
40
‘I've enjoyed it. I’ve
enjoyed the newness
of it. I’ve enjoyed
thinking of the baby.
The only thing I
haven’t enjoyed
is getting so big.’
‘I loved every minute
of being pregnant
and went through a
wonderful experience
with labour.’
‘Antenatal classes really
helped. I met lots of
women there who had the
same fears as me.The
midwife made us more
confident by telling us
what happens in labour.
I felt well prepared.’
reasons why you may feel rather
down. You may have money worries
or worries about work or where you
are going to live. You may be
anxious about whether you will cope
as a parent, or about whether you’re
really ready to be a parent at all. And
many of these anxieties may be shared
by your partner or family as well.
This may be your first baby but not
your partner’s, so you may see and
feel things differently. Talk through
these feelings together.
Talking about your feelings to your
partner, or to someone who is close to
you, is often a relief and can help you
get things in proportion. It may help
your partner too. Making sure you keep
WORRYING ABOUT THE BIRTH
One worry that a lot of women have
in pregnancy is whether labour and
birth will be painful and how they
will cope. It is difficult to imagine
what a contraction might be like
and no one can tell you – though
many will try. However, factual
information about the options open
to you can help you to feel more
confident and more in control.
Begin by reading the chapter on
Labour and birth (page 89) with
your partner, or a friend or relative
who will be with you for the birth,
if possible. Ask your midwife or
doctor for any further information.
Antenatal classes will also help to
prepare you for labour and the
birth (see pages 64–5).
Think about the sort of labour
and birth you would like to have.
You will probably have an
opportunity to discuss this in more
detail with your midwife and to
draw up a birth plan during the later
months of pregnancy (see page 38).
Talk to your partner too, or to
someone close to you, and
particularly to the person who will
yourself well and get plenty of sleep
will also help. Anyone who is tired
and run down is likely to feel rather
low, whether they are pregnant or
not. And don’t let the pregnancy take
over your life. Keep on doing the things
you enjoy. Although it’s normal to have
some worries while you are pregnant
and to feel a bit down from time to
time, it’s a real cause for concern if
you’re feeling depressed for most of
the time. Whatever the reason for your
unhappiness, or even if there doesn’t
seem to be any reason at all, explain
how you feel to your doctor, midwife
or health visitor. Make sure they
understand that you’re talking about
something more than just feeling low.
be with you in labour. Remember
they may be anxious also. Together
you can then work out ways in
which to cope.