Baby Birth - It's A Miracle!

By Leann Corley

If you stop and think about everything that takes place in that nine month period, a baby birth is nothing short of a miracle!

The more you think about childbirth, the more remarkable it seems. It is the day that an altogether brand new creature enters into the world. A life that will eventually blossom, go to school, meet someone special, and then have kiddos of his or her own. It is a daunting thought to contemplate being responsable for all of this, but it is also a glorious prospect as well.

The birth of a baby is a detailed development that both husband and wife can enjoy together. There is a reason it takes 9 months, so that you can get used to caring for the baby inside, before he or she comes outside. I remember one of the best things my husband and I did in the early months was to go to the bookstore and buy "What to Expect When You're Expecting." It is a great book that lets you see how your baby is growing inside of you, as well as things you need to be doing to help your baby grow healthy.

Take the time to allow your parents and inlaws to enjoy your pregnancy as well. Everyone wants to touch your stomach (you may get weary of that), and they especially want to offer you advice about what to eat, what not to drink, how you should sleep, and everything in between. Allow them to say what they want, but ultimately it is up to you and you follow the course that both you and your doctor feel are best. Friends and family mean well, but you are the one who is pregnant and getting ready for childbirth.

One of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby is to exercise. There are plenty of good books about what to eat and magazines about nutrition, but make sure you are taking th time to exercise. You will find that it is relaxing, helps reduce stress, and not only makes you feel better, but look better too. No one wants to look like some bloated pregnant woman that feels miserable. Besides, there isn't anything sexier than a pregnant woman in exercise clothes.

My final advice is to have a birth plan. Plan each month about how you are going to adjust to your growing baby, doctor visits, what you are going to eat, what kind of exercise you will be doing, date nights, family visits. Ultimately you will want to begin a birth plan for the final trimester, taking Lamaze classes, preparing for the hospital, getting the baby room ready, your work schedule. Sitting down once a week and reviewing your plan is a great way to enjoy each of the nine months.

As I mentioned, baby birth is simply a miracle that God has given us women to experience in this life. With all that is going on inside of you, the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. When you are taking care of yourself, you are taking care of your baby. This is true before and after the birth of your baby. Have fun. Take a vacation together and show off your tummy. Enjoy the time you and your husband have together before you become parents. And, make sure you take the time to prepare yourself for this miracle!

Leann Corley was a professor at a Dallas university for 6 years and is a contributing author for several parenting web sites.