Interesting, tumultuous, exciting, frightening times...

Am reading this book at the moment. Just started it yesterday. One thing I already learnt was that if the baby cries, pick him up! Dun just leave him to "cry it out". That was my strategy at first, until the first few pages told me otherwise. It said, " A baby whose cries are not answered does not become a "good" baby (though he may become quiet); he does become a discouraged baby. He learns the one thing you don't want him to: that he can't communicate or trust his needs will be met." I guess the book is trying to say that newborns don't misbehave, they just communicate the only way nature allows them to. Imagine how you would feel if you are unable to do anything for yourself, and your cries for help went unheeded. This book talks about attachment parenting. So far an interesting read.

As most of you know, we will be giving birth to a baby boy soon (or more specific S will). I must say, the ride so far has been rather interesting, tumultuous, exciting, frightening, fun and many more emotions that face the two of us, of course much more impacting S as she is the one carrying our child.

I guess being first time parents-to-be, it can be rather scary in the sense that with every little change, that change has to be assessed that everything is alright with the foetus/child. Hormones for the mum-to-be changes especially at the start of the pregnancy and that had an impact on me. It was just strange as to how my wife whom I knew her to be, was suddenly someone else. But that's hormones. After the morning sickness got better, things started to normalise. Of course quite a bit of activities had to be curbed or just cut out (like exercise, roller-blading etc.).

It is now nearing the delivery, and apprehension is now setting in. Confusion and just being unsure about everything seems coming on as well. I read last night in another book about pregnancy (which I read till I kept dozing off!!) about the possible feelings the mother-to-be may be facing and one of the feelings stated, worrying about the health, safe delivery of the baby amongst others. Exactly what has been happening. Of course only God will know what will happen, and we have to trust Him to keep little baby safe and sound. S has to remain as calm as possible and not to stress too much (which can be difficult as I understand it). One thing the book said was to invest in ear plugs and blinders so that we do not compare too much with other mother's experiences (that was funny, bec sometimes they will comment on the tummy being low, too high etc., when in actual fact, every baby is different).

Husbands and fathers-to-be have to be supportive and just be there for your wives. Even if you do not know what to do, just be there as a pillar of strength. And that is what I will try to be.