Pregnancy Inspiration

This letter is one of the finest pieces of advice on pregnancy I've read in a long time. It has motivated me to put together my own list of pregnancy inspiration.

1. Each pregnancy is unique. Even if you have 10 children, don't ever assume that you'll get this moment back. So, enjoy it. Don't wish it away. Take the swollen ankles, the heartburn, and the itchy skin in stride. It won't last forever. Right now you can keep your baby safe and warm and right under your heart. This won't always be so. Enjoy it.

2. Don't keep trying to squeeze into your pre-pregnancy clothes. The moment you're in the least uncomfortable switch to maternity clothes. You should be comfortable while you are pregnant. Haute couture can wait. Right now, expect to see me in a muumuu and loving every minute of it.

3. Spend some time of every day relaxing. Lay in bed and read a great book, sit in the bath tub until you turn into a raisin, lay on the grass in the sunshine and dream, watch a sappy old movie you've seen a hundred times and don't stifle the tears. You may think that you are too busy to find time to relax each day. Well, you have to make it a priority. And when you're tempted to feel guilty for sitting in a coffee shop with your feet up sipping a cup of chai and flipping through Victoria, just tell yourself that you are doing it for the baby.

4. Indulge in the foods you love and crave. I'm not saying devour an entire family-sized bag of Sweet Maui Onion Potato Chips. I am saying not to deprive yourself of the things you love. I just finished off two glasses of milk and about four extra-gooey chocolate chip cookies. Pregnancy is as much about feeding your soul as it is feeding your body. So, eat the salad, the chicken breast, and whole wheat bread. But, don't go crazy trying to avoid the bowl of ice cream that you really want.

5. Pray for your baby. Ask God to give the baby a pleasant disposition. I learned this from a missionary to Mongolia from India. He told me to read the Psalms to my baby (I was pregnant with Luc at the time) and to ask God to give the baby a peaceful disposition. I liked that.

6. Get some fresh air everyday. Get outside to take a walk, a swim or even just to sit on a park bench. Breathe deeply and slowly--picking your baby up and putting the baby down with each breath from your abdomen.

7. Spend time daydreaming and talking about the baby--especially with your husband.

8. Pregnancy is a great time for romance with your husband. Stir it up and enjoy one another in every way.

9. Worship. I went to church tonight just for the singing-part. With my kids right down front we danced and jumped and sang and twirled until we were exhausted. Then we just sat and soaked in His presence. His love was so real and overshadowed me. I felt sort of like I was in the womb of God, surrounded by His love--just as my baby is in my womb and surrounded by my love. I think babies are sensitive to positive and negative feelings from their parents and even to good and bad spirits. So, surround yourself with the Holy Spirit every chance you get.