Specialist ed’s note

Iwonder if any first-time expectant mother knows how special pregnancy actually is? How many of us take time to marvel at what our body is achieving? How fantastic, that we can accommodate a new life inside this body. The more I read about foetal development, the more I realise how fragile – and yet how strong – life is. Looking after yourself is of paramount importance. That means eating well, exercising and letting up and relaxing when you need to. Women today are so caught up in being successful that I think we sometimes miss the magic of this special time. Nothing will ever be as important as what you’re doing or achieving during the time you’re pregnant. Everything you do will in some way influence your pregnancy, labour, and even how you start out your parenting. Pregnancy is a time for reflection. It’s a time to start examining the way you live and the quality of life you have. You’ll start to notice changes in every facet of your being. Celebrate this! You’re about to discover things about yourself that will fascinate and amaze you. Pregnancy is a very emotive time, and it should be. The responsibility that lies ahead is not for the faint hearted. Now is the time to examine how you really feel about certain issues. As usual the team of Your Pregnancy has tried to provide you with information that will make you think, question and ponder. Hopefully this will lead to better communication between your caregiver and yourself. Never be shy about asking questions if there’s something that puzzles you. And remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question! Once again, I wish you a safe and happy delivery. With love,

PREGNANCY IS A TIME FOR REFLECTION. IT’S A TIME TO START EXAMINING THE WAY YOU LIVE AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE YOU HAVE