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The Words Every Expectant Mom Needs To Hear

By Hope Daniels, ANewMomInTown.com March 28, 2014
My Journal Entry for Wednesday, January 21, 2009:

I took my third pregnancy test. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy, and I didn’t want the doc to think I was a lunatic and showed up at her office as the non-pregnant girl for the pregnancy blood test. Thankfully, it said positive. However, those digital tests are no fun. You are bound to get double takes and ask the question, “That says positive . . . right?” I am just trying to do as much research as I can, but like the person I am, I want to know everything TODAY! I will just have to go with the pregnancy flow. Yeah right!

I wouldn’t be the mom I am today if it wasn’t for the pregnancy path I took and then recorded in my own words. Whether you are a cool, calm, hot mama-to-be, or just a complete hot mess, here are six reasons why keeping a journal will get you through the best, hardest, and maybe even the most humorous times as an expectant mom.

1. You Won’t Feel Alone: Your body is changing, your moods are swinging and your thoughts about life with baby are unraveling. Consider your journal as your go-to judgment free zone. Don’t censor yourself--write it all down.

2. Track Your Trimesters: From how you are feeling in the first trimester to all the tests and sonograms you take until delivery, these nine months are sure to be blissful, busy and hectic. Use your journal as a reference to stay up-to-date with changes in your body and baby.

3. Have A Good Laugh or Cry: If it wasn’t for recording the moment I broke the baby news to my family over brunch, or the time I had a pregnancy X-ray scare, or fond memories of the times people made comments about my size, (including my own father, who said, “I don’t remember your sister-in-law being as big as you”), I would never have had such unforgettable recollections and priceless reactions to hold on to forever.

4. Helps You Bond With Baby: Writing down your feelings, fears, desires, hopes and dreams helps you form an unspoken connection with your little angel. It’s something only he or she will share with mommy.

5. Use It To Vent: If there are times when you catch yourself feeling exhausted, scared, or even doubting how much more of this you can take (yes ladies, don’t feel guilty, we all will feel this way at least once), rely on your “pen pal” to get you through the rough patches. Sometimes just writing things down or getting thoughts off your mind will make a big difference in your mood.

6. Pass Your Journal On To Your Children As A Gift: I can’t wait for my kids to become old enough to enjoy the physical and emotional journey I put my body through to bring them into this world. I can only hope they will understand the meaning of becoming a parent and how they have changed my life for the better!

Hope Daniels is a mom, blogger and lifestyle journalist who likes to laugh at herself (every mother should)! Each new adventure in her life adds to her journey as a mom while helping to figure out who she is as a woman, wife and friend. Read more about Hope in www.anewmomintown.com.