Wearing Motherhood with a Smile

Written By: Edwige Suzan Ozo, Moms on Maternity Columnist.

So, here we are, at one of the most defining points in any woman’s life: Motherhood.

Motherhood is a decision guided by what your heart can take in the end.

There is a quote that says; “Never give in to the desire to follow the crowd, don’t do it just because everyone else is, do it because you feel right about it.”

You should see Motherhood as a beautiful experience that comes with a bit of pain and demands but once you push past it, the joy is purely and positively inexplicable.

Now, to prepare any woman for this life-changing experience, there are a few TIPS you should always keep in mind as you progress";"

• BE PREPARED *; This journey will not be a walk in the park just because you have the love and support of friends and family. There will be moments when you wish you never got pregnant or even nursed the thought of being a mother especially when you are reminded of all the things you need to tune down. It gets frustrating and this is why you must be prepared for the changes that will take place along the way.

The hormonal imbalance of having cravings of all sorts, the possibility of being cranky and upset at weird times, the late-night snacking that gets you creeping around like some rodent at midnight and the most obvious one of all; the weight gain and accompanying change of wardrobe needed.

This is the part that gets most soon-to-be-Moms emotional. When you see the changes in your body and you notice how tight everything suddenly feels, you're all torn up about it, this is totally normal and you must be prepared to take it all in.

Keep your spirit up by going shopping at places like Old Navy or even H&M; where you will be getting not only great styles but the comfiest and most affordable array of maternity wears from; soft stretch leggings and gowns to the chic free wears. These clothes are made to keep you confident in your body changes and make you feel prettier at every trimester. Get yourself a Boppy Total Body pillow to help you sleep at night with fewer back pains and if you must snack up, try reading up on healthy pregnancy eats. Remember, your mission is to keep you and the baby healthy and the best way to get it together is to roll with the punches.

• DON’T LISTEN TO EVERYBODY * Lucy Liu; American actress and a Mother said: "You're going to get advice from a lot of people and you can take bits and pieces, but you know innately what your child needs. You should trust that. Don't beat yourself up for making decisions about things that may or may not work. It's an experiment in life and you're a part of that."

Your Mother or Mom-in-law might be giving you a long list of historical do’s and don’ts. Your friends will give you pointers on their experiences; “when I was pregnant with Josh, I never drank espresso or anything with caffeine. You should totally avoid it,” and the third degree goes on and on. Just stick to your instincts, read Motherhood books, try what works best for you to stay healthy, e.g., by enjoying fruits, vegetables and the highly recommended Mother’s Milk tea. Above all, make your doctor one of your best friends. It’s that simple.

• ENJOY THE RIDE * This might sound out of place considering the journey ahead, but you need to trust that the only way to make it all worthwhile is to enjoy the ride. From conception to the trimesters and the birthing; these are moments that will create a tale worth sharing someday. An anonymous quote puts it this way; “Birthing takes a woman’s deepest fears about herself, and shows her that she is stronger than them.”

Tell yourself always that you were born for this journey and you came this far because you did not only long to be a Mother, but you wanted to prove to the world that the Mom and Dad life, is a true testimony to being selfless and giving. It’s what Agatha Christie; the famous British writer said from her work; the last Séance;

“A Mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

In the end, you can only embrace the Mom life when you stop worrying and start enjoying your new status; Motherhood.

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