Upon confirmation of pregnancy, women prepare their bodies and in turn their fetus’s bodies for health by way of nutritious foods and the avoidance of toxic substances. Just like women’s developing bodies need support, their unborn baby’s spiritual and emotional self wants and needs to be nurtured too.
Some spiritual traditions acknowledge this fact and honor it through attention and ritual, believing that the young soul is able to sense the love and care sent its way. If you feel the desire to spiritually support the new life nestled in your womb, you may want to attempt some of the following practices.
Talk to your baby
This may seem obvious but some mothers-to-be may need encouragement to start communication with their unborn child. The communication can be verbal or through thought and intention. Regardless of its form, begin your relationship early by letting your child know how loved and wanted it is.
If it feels right, you may also want to thank them for having chosen you as their parent. Acknowledge their decision to come into physical form and offer your appreciation. Be open and express your gratitude for them.
You may also want to invite your partner talk to your unborn child too. Ask them to welcome the child and express their positive feelings around the pregnancy.
Carve Out Alone Time
Many moms-to-be have a lot going on with little time to “be” or to contemplate the significance of bringing a new life into this world. Do your best to make time for yourself – time to be alone and absorb the beauty and importance of what you are experiencing. This time could be used for walks in nature or it could be spent meditating.
The alone time devoted to yourself will allow you the opportunity to process all the feelings of becoming a parent, facilitating the emergence of this new role.
Create the Space in Your Life for Baby
Many do not intentionally create the “space” for our unborn children, and when they arrive, we feel overwhelmed by the task of parenthood. Give up what you do not need in your life before baby arrives. This is one of the best ways to welcome your child into your world. Examine work, tasks, chores, hobbies, and even relationships that do not serve you anymore. Consider what is worth keeping and what should be eliminated.
Journal Your Experience
Write about your thoughts and emotions during pregnancy. Aside from the physical changes that accompany pregnancy, explore your ideas around how you want to parent, the relationship you hope to have, and the qualities you expect to foster in your child.
It will be interesting to read these entries years from now and see how much of what you intended materialized.
Work On Your Relationship with Your Partner
The greatest gift you can offer your future child is a loving relationship between his or her parents. If there are any unresolved issues between you and your partner, decide to work on them before your baby arrives so you can welcome your child into a peaceful home. Whether through therapy, open communication or even a baby-moon, devote time and energy to your relationship. A happy home greatly increases your chances of having a happy child.
By preparing for your child in these ways, you can nurture your parent-child relationship long before you actually hold your baby in your arms. Take the time to initiate this special connection right from the beginning and turn the experience into something both spiritually and emotionally rewarding.
