Since finding out we were pregnant this summer, life has felt a bit surreal. Pregnancy has been a journey, and I’ve been amazed at the power of the ups and downs I’ve experienced mentally, physically, and emotionally. One of the biggest themes that keeps coming up for me is one of deep, heart-opening gratitude. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s given me a feeling of interconnectedness with the universe and my place in it.
So today, I wanted to take a moment to share my ooey gooey heartfelt gratitude with you. (Blame #AllTheFeels on my pregnancy hormones!) I hope it uplifts and inspires you, excites you for pregnancy if you’re planning on having kids, or makes you remember your pregnancy fondly if you’ve already given birth.
(Also, as I was sitting here writing this at around 21 weeks pregnant, I felt our baby girl kick for the first time! Gratitude is some potent stuff :))
(Major disclaimer: I’m sharing this post to highlight the sunshine-and-rainbows parts of pregnancy. I recognize that getting pregnant is not always easy, and my intention is not to brag or show a lack of awareness for the fact that the journey to motherhood can be long and challenging.)
Without further ado, here are some of the top things pregnancy has made me grateful for.
Gratitude for My Body
We’ve all heard about the “miracle of life” and all that, but until you track the weekly development of a fetus in your own body, it’s hard to comprehend. How on earth can a baby be growing in my belly, developing its organs, and knowing exactly how to grow without me doing anything?! It’s fascinating and honestly overwhelming.
My body is not only supporting my life, but is forming another. And that’s pretty crazy.
I’m also deeply grateful to have been able to get pregnant, because it’s not a guarantee. It happened quickly and seamlessly, and I don’t take that for granted.
Having this gratitude for my body and what it’s creating has made it so much easier to put any pain or discomfort into perspective. A bad night’s sleep, Braxton Hicks contractions, or morning sickness seem like the most minor inconveniences when I acknowledge what my body is doing.
Gratitude for Technology
This is one I definitely wasn’t expecting to feel: grateful for the advances in technology. But after a few doctor appointments, I became truly aware of how incredible modern technology is, especially when it comes to monitoring a pregnancy.
Things have come a long way since our mothers and grandmothers gave birth. Through an ultrasound, we can see our babies from an early stage, watch them develop, and measure their size, heart rate, and a host of other things. And not only that, but our healthcare system includes trained professionals who interpret this information to not only give us an estimated due date, but to make sure our baby’s development is on track and flag any warning signs.
I’m also beyond grateful for the technology my doctors used at our appointments. It was incredible to hear the baby’s heart beat through the fetal doppler! And has helped my husband and I feel so connected to our baby from an early stage.
Gratitude for Our Healthcare System
This pregnancy has opened my eyes to some of the benefits of our healthcare system in Canada. Beforehand, I had regular checkups with my doctor, but not much other interaction with healthcare providers.
Pregnancy has changed all that. From blood tests to ultrasounds to doctors appointments and genetic testing, this pregnancy has been touched by so many healthcare professionals. The care we’ve received has been really strong, and I have felt so supported by the system. Along the way, I’ve been given great information, had my numerous questions answers, and never felt rushed through an appointment. This gives me confidence that we’ll be in good hands come delivery day.
Gratitude for Family and Friends
My husband and I are lucky to have incredibly loving and supportive friends and family. And it’s been made even more clear by their excitement around our pregnancy. They are so excited to meet our baby. And she is SO lucky to be coming into a world filled with so much love!
We’ve also been blown away at how generous our friends and family have been – from offering advice to making baby blankets, helping set up the nursery and taking care of some of the gear we needed.
It’s incredibly heartwarming to know she’ll be surrounded by a pretty epic cast of characters when she joins us.
Gratitude for the Universe/Source Energy
Whether you believe in a God, the power of the universe, source energy, or something different, there’s something undeniably other-worldly about being able to bring a child into the world. Yes, we all know how the birds and the bees work, but conception doesn’t happen with 100% accuracy. Instead, it’s as if there’s another force at play.
Pregnancy has made me grateful for whatever forces that be played a role in making her life a reality. And it reminds me that I’m joining the billions of women before me who have brought a child into the world. (This is also reassuring when I feel stressed out about childbirth!)
So there you have it – some of the positive thoughts that have been swirling around my mind for the last few months. Yes, there have been challenging weeks along the way. But I try to stay focused on some of the magic I have to be grateful for, and it helps me see the bigger picture.
If you’re pregnant (or have been!) what did it make you grateful for? I’d love to hear it! Sound off in the Comments below.
Related Posts:
My Top 8 Pregnancy Essentials for the First Trimester
My Top 8 Pregnancy Essentials for the Second Trimester
How to Ease Morning Sickness: 7 Simple Ways
First Time Pregnancy Advice: The First Trimester
First Time Pregnancy Advice: The Second Trimester
Our Pregnancy Story: How We Found Out
5 Interesting Facts About Pregnancy That Shocked Me
How to Involve Your Partner in Your Pregnancy
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