Embracing identity as a pregnant person and transitioning into parenthood are two of the biggest challenges pregnant people face. There is an imbalance between the focus on the physical changes of pregnancy and on the emotional and spiritual changes in prenatal care. Being pregnant and worried is a common feeling.
I have shared below a few facts around identity transitioning into motherhood to be aware of when you are feeling stressed and pregnant.
High Stress Pregnancy: Hormonal/Brain Changes
During pregnancy, It can increase the risk in the levels of progesterone (from about 10% to 100% of normal) which have a sedating effect on our more “busy” or “systematic” brain and makes us more connected with our intuition, nature and our environment. It can take us from a more intellectual state to a more intuitive state.
This is designed to help pregnant women to identify and soften into a nurturing and caring role and to be more aware of emotions and feelings. This can make a pregnant person feel conflicted or confused and you may feel you are losing your sense of identity and not fitting into the often more logical and pragmatic world in the West.
Stress hormones also increase greatly in pregnancy. Feeling anxious during pregnancy is normal, high stress pregnancy isn’t healthy. Managing stress is vital for health. These hormones are being used to keep the pregnant person vigilant about safety and the baby’s needs. There’s no time in a pregnant person’s life where your hormones change so rapidly as during early pregnancy through to birth.
What is important here is for pregnant people to be self-aware and be kind to themselves without judgment. All feelings and emotions are okay; from rejection and resentment and fear of wanting to retreat, to do less and be more emotional and sensitive. High levels of stress has an impact on health during pregnancy and can cause mental health problems. Pregnant people need reassurance that all this is normal and that the emotional journey to parenthood begins way before birth.
Expectations of Parenthood
The key to acceptance of anything new is to be gentle with yourself and have no expectation of your feelings or emotions. A huge transition is happening throughout pregnancy and it’s important to pay attention to the changes going on.
Encourage yourself to take their time. Parenthood is one of the most transformational experiences a person can have. It is unlikely that a person will ever feel the same again so it’s about surrendering and embracing the journey of parenting.
During the right of passage of pregnancy, birth and postnatal, all identities shift which can also be unsettling affecting the relationship with parents, with a partner and friends. The whole family dynamic changes and everyone takes on new roles.
A pregnant person may need to re-learn her roles in the family and in relationships. It is great to reflect on this and to talk about the importance of staying true to values and expressing needs so that you can grow into this new version of yourself.
It is so important to remember there is no ONE way. New parents need the time and space to reflect on their feelings, emotions and needs and the support to help them do this.
