A woman is not born a mother but rather she is learning how to become one. This motherhood process begins when a woman becomes pregnant and will continue for months and even years after the baby is born., Each woman will have different experiences. So, Pregnant mothers need to mentally prepare before giving birth to welcome the little angel into the world.
What happens to a woman during pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, One thing is obvious: you are happy: Most pregnant mothers believe that pregnancy is a happy and beautiful time. And certainly pregnant women feel happy and have many positive emotions.
However, Pregnancy is a time when women can feel like they're in a whirlwind of emotions, one of which is overwhelming, unexpected and not always positive. Mothers may experience feelings of anxiety, scared, mệt mỏi, sadness and more. Now, Mothers need to prepare psychologically before giving birth carefully.
Women will have to create a new identity of a mother and it can be quite difficult; they face physical changes, mentality, feelings and relationships to find a new balance.
Actually, while on the cusp of hormonal chaos, Becoming a mother causes women to relive their own childhood conflicts, bonding experiences with their mothers, memories of challenging relationships within their families, and any other trauma and trauma.
All the unfinished issues related to their mother surfaced intensely during pregnancy and may persist after the mother has given birth.. This is not just a limitation for the mother-to-be, This mother did not enjoy the full joy of her pregnancy, but this is also a problem about the bond between mother and child throughout pregnancy.
If mothers do not prepare psychologically before giving birth, Intense and prolonged stress during pregnancy will adversely affect the development of the fetus, affects the formation of the baby's nervous system and even temperament. If pregnant women suffer from depression, Their children are more likely to develop depression at a very young age.
Prepare mentally before giving birth: Psychosocial support
Prenatal consultation
In a safe and understanding environment, There is no judgment, Here women can share and express all their feelings and fears. Mothers will be aware of the relationship between what they experience so this could also be what the baby will experience too.
The goal of prenatal counseling is to locate and heal past psychological trauma so that mothers can Prepare mentally before giving birth, escape the stress and trauma they encountered as children, That still has a negative impact on their physical and psychological health, whether consciously or unconsciously..
Mothers also get help with the transition to new titles and roles. Prenatal counseling can help pregnant women prevent stress and bring them closer to a happy life as they create a positive first bond with their baby and ensure that they are ready to welcome their child..
Perinatal consultation (7 first day after birth)
This is a safe space for mothers to express negative emotions that may arise in the postpartum period and where they can share difficulties as they face their new role as mothers..
Through technical guidance and sophistication of consultants, Women will have their inner resources awakened so that they are ready to deal with their new titles and roles; Their sense of competence will be strengthened and they will feel confident in their role as mothers. Perinatal counseling will create a good relationship and healthy attachment with your baby, Prepare mentally before giving birth the best way for mom.
Support psychological and social preparation for postpartum women
A very real problem is that many mothers do not receive enough support in the first days or months after giving birth. They need time to recover and adjust, especially during the postpartum period.
Ở giai đoạn này, the mother can only eat and drink, sleep and take care of the baby. Taking care of a newborn is truly a full-time job, Not to mention doing housework and taking care of the first child. Therefore, psychological preparation before giving birth is very necessary.
At this time, A pair of practical helping hands can make a big difference by giving mothers time to recover from birth and breastfeed..
Many studies have shown that breastfeeding is important for the health and development of the baby and for the health of the mother., both now and in the future. However, The biggest challenges for all new mothers are:
- Not getting enough sleep.
- Must take care of household chores
- Lack of emotional support.
- Isolated, especially since her baby seems to always nurse at night and wake up at night.
New mothers need a lot of help and support from family members to prepare meals or do laundry.. They need people to be patient with them as they breastfeed and become mothers. And babies still need grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin, siblings and other family members and those around them who love and care for them.
Some ways to help breastfeeding mothers include::
- Tell her how well she has been doing.
- Listen if she feels worried, mệt mỏi, or overwhelmed.
- Help mother take care of baby: change diapers, lull baby to sleep, Take the baby for a walk or take a bath while mom sleeps.
- Caring for older children. Take them out for a walk, to the park, Participate in outdoor activities, After-school entertainment activities
- To help mothers feel comfortable while breastfeeding, Be a breastfeeding advocate. Avoid undermining her intentions by asking negative questions like: “Mom, are you sure the baby is getting enough milk??” hay, “Why doesn't the baby sleep through the night yet??” You should listen empathically rather than give advice when she complains or seems tired, Try to be supportive and encouraging.
- Encourage, Encourage mothers to share their difficult problems right from the beginning. Or create conditions for mothers to join mothers' clubs to share parenting experiences, receive support and share experiences with other breastfeeding mothers. There are many people in the same situation as you, so you won't feel lost., Still living as actively as when young.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for children's development. Mothers need to breastfeed their babies for at least a month 6 first month of life so that children can perfect their resistance, digestive system and intelligence. No product can replace breast milk.
Mothers need to understand the nature of low milk supply, What is milk loss?. That is the decrease of the hormone Prolactin (Helps increase the quantity and quality of breast milk) in the body. And one of the favorable factors that causes this hormone level to decrease is psychological disorders - maternal stress., mệt mỏi, insomnia…
Even not being able to breastfeed regularly causes the amount of this hormone to decrease, Therefore, psychological preparation before giving birth and after giving birth is extremely important and necessary.
The article was verified by doctors at Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital.
