Pure Nurture

A miracle has occurred; you are creating a new life. Your body is now engaged in an incredible process. During your journey over the next forty or so weeks, you will experience new and different physical and emotional changes. Regardless if this is your first or fourth, this pregnancy is unique. Just like no two children are alike (even identical twins!), no two pregnancies are exactly the same. Yours will be unlike others’ experiences as well. You can listen to the stories from your mom, sisters, and friends, but your story and your pregnancy is uniquely yours. These nine months are all about you and your precious child. The fact that you have opened this book means you are ready to begin (or continue) taking good care of yourself and your growing baby. It means that you know that your well-being has a direct impact on your preborn baby. It means you are willing to take time out of your busy life to focus on your pregnancy -- and not just which stroller or high chair to place on your baby registry. Which foods to place in your body, how much rest you need, and so many other matters (like what makes you laugh!) now need your attention. My goal for you as you read this book is that you learn new ways to feel your best, find more balance amidst all the changes that are happening, and create a healthy foundation for your little one. In the book, Magical Beginnings, Deepak Chopra states, “From the moment of conception, the preborn baby experiences the thoughts and actions of her mother.” Our mind and body are connected. When you are pregnant, your body and mind are directly linked to the body and mind of your growing baby. Knowing that the way you feel, what you eat, and the way you treat yourself have a direct impact on your growing baby, what would you change? Would you do anything differently? How would it feel to treat yourself with the same love and care that you would give to your newborn baby? That’s what this guide is all about. Caring for your baby includes caring for you. Self-care is not a luxury, it is not pampering, it is not selfish. It is critical! (And feels oh so good!) It is time for you to become a self-care maven (and to support other women and mothers to do the same; we all need a self-care revolution!). Are you ready? Take a deep breath and a long, slow exhale. Your self-care journey begins now. Take really good care of yourself. This is always great advice, but never more so than when you are pregnant. Your body is working overtime to create a new life. You need to recognize that and truly honor it. I’ll say it again, take really good care of yourself. Such a simple statement, yet something that is not always easy to do, especially in the society we live in today. The common message is “go, go, go.” Accomplish. Strive. Succeed. Multi-tasking is king in our country today. Many of us feel somehow rewarded for being busy. Sometimes we can feel proud of how busy we are. It’s easy to get caught up in this trap. How many times do you greet a friend and ask how they are doing or how they have been and their response is, “Busy!” We nod in agreement and exchange stories of just how busy life is. But being busy is not what life is all about. Certainly, continue to work hard and do what needs to get done on a day to day basis, however, allow yourself some time to step back from it all. Hit the pause button. Your pregnancy is a sacred time and merits you paying attention to your level of busyness. It’s okay (and necessary) to create space from the constant barrage of information thrown at you daily. Pregnancy is not the time to take busy to a whole new level. It is a time to reconnect with you and your well-being. Take another deep breath. Nice long exhale. Self-care is gentle; it is not strict or regimented. It is not another line item to add to your “to-do” list. It is moment-by-moment, day-by-day, relaxing into what is and allowing yourself to feel loved and taken care of. Just as you will love and take care of your baby, you first give the same care and attention to you.