What to Expect

What to Expect When Expecting is a book on the market that helps soon to be parents to know what to expect as they navigate pregnancy, labor and birth, and raising a newborn. They even have a book on the first year and toddlers. It's became its own brand with books, podcasts, products and more. When I was pregnant with my first there wasn't much in the line of google searches, apps, or parenting advice online. I think it's funny that this week's lessons in both my classes are dealing with transitioning to parenthood and child development. Child Development is another one of those classes I wish I would have had in high school but wouldn't have gotten near as much out of it as I did in my mid 20's. In high school how to prevent pregnancy is talked about and how babies are made, but what about what to do when you become pregnant? I don't condone marriage out of wedlock, but it happens. It happened to me. Had it not been for my super supportive mother being with me all the way I wouldn't have made it, and not everyone is blessed in that way. Young adult women need to understand how proper nutrition help to increase their chances of having a healthy baby. How avoiding caffeine, drugs, and certain medications help baby. How many people know there is a website that lists all medications over the counter and prescription and how safe they are for pregnant and nursing women? I didn't even think about the fact that what time of year a baby is born can drastically affect the baby's overall health. Being born during flu season increases the chances of the baby just being more sickly in general. Three out of four of my babies spent time in the NICU. Talk about one of the scariest loneliest times especially as a first time mom. Not being able to snuggle and feed your baby for days, and when you do they are attached to a bunch of monitors and covered in wires. Trying to make the best decisions for your baby when you yourself are confused, trying to recover from birth, and many mommas don't have the medical knowledge and background I had from all my trials growing up. Thankfully with technological improvements webcams are now used so mommas can see their babies even if they can't be in the NICU, as well as technology helps build a community of like mommas for those NICU and Preemie babies. Child Development classes also help foster an understanding of how babies develop. If we know better we can do better. Knowing what to expect as babies grow and change can help decrease the frustration of dealing with the unknown. So much happens in a baby's world so early on. Many do not realize any trauma that occurs even in the first weeks to months of a baby's life can be hardwired into a baby's brain and change the outcome of their life. Abuse, Neglect, not meeting the needs of a baby when it cries causes issues in attachment. If a baby has a need it cries, that's all it knows how to do. If we don't meet that need correctly or in a timely manner it can cause lasting effects to that child. One of my precious daughters was neglected and abused the first three years of her life and even almost fourteen years later we are still dealing with the effects of the abuse. There are thankfully many programs out there to help parents transition into parenthood. The one I am most familiar with is New Parent Support Program that is provided to Active Duty Military. Parents as Teachers an Early Intervention programs are good alternatives as well. There's a phrase out there that says "It Takes a Village" and it does take a village to raise kids. We are much better when we are in community than when we try to do things alone.