Benefits of Keeping a Pregnancy Journal
Pregnancy is an exhausting emotional roller coaster ride for many expectant mothers. From the moment the pregnancy test comes back positive to the time the baby makes their arrival – you’re sure to go through some ups and downs. And, over the course of several physical changes, you may discover a surprising new craving for pickled gherkins or find yourself crying over the most meaningless mistake.
Yes, there’ll be lots of mood swings to deal with as you transform into the archetypal pregnant woman. While you’ll have the support of your family and friends, this new baby checklist from life insurance provider Smart Insurance suggests that you also keep a pregnancy journal to help you survive that hurricane of hormones.
“This is such a lovely little keepsake to have to remind you about one of the most special times in your life,” writes one contributor to the baby checklist. “Also very handy for looking back on in future pregnancies to compare how you felt then as opposed to now.”
Even if you’re not a fan of journaling or you don’t have the time for it, many experts have confirmed the benefits of keeping a journal at any age. When looking at pregnancy specifically, here are some of the reasons why you should start writing as soon as your baby bump begins to show.
- Reduce Stress
Finding an outlet for your thoughts during pregnancy, can help you find solutions to your pregnancy fears and manage the anxiety that comes from negative thoughts. It’s an effective means to access your emotions and rid yourself of stress, which may affect the wellbeing of your baby. Some experts even go as far as suggesting you write down your fears and throw the paper away.
- Organise Yourself
We know how disoriented a pregnancy can make expecting mothers feel. It’s no easy task getting everything ready for the little pink feet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as managing your regular schedule. Apart from organising your thoughts, journaling can also help to coordinate your duties, manage your time efficiently and ultimately make you a more productive mum-to-be.
- Set Your Goals
If you already have a new baby checklist, how will you go about executing these tasks? Putting this information down on paper is a simple way to organise effectively and hold yourself responsible for your goals. It gives you the chance to accomplish them noticeably and makes achieving them seem more realistic.
- Track Your Progress
Sure, it is fun to record how big your tummy has gone over the last few months, but journaling your pregnancy can be a confidence booster as well. Your journal will be an inventory of your achievements and successes during your pregnancy. So, if you’re planning to fall pregnant again, you can reflect on your previous experiences and say “I’ve made it through once, I can do it again.”
- Celebrate Your Happy Moments
How did you feel when you first found out that it was a boy or a girl? What was your first reaction when you saw the ultrasound image of your baby? Describe these positive emotions in your journal. At the end of each day, scribble down all the things that went smoothly and that you’re proud of. Perhaps you’ve finally finished decorating the nursery room, or you’ve decided on a name for the baby. Treasure these golden moments for the days you’re feeling down.