Pregnancy is an extraordinarily important time in a woman's life. It is a time of dramatic changes: physical, psychological and lifestyle. For this very reason, you may want to write down and remember the various stages you go through. You can start writing your pregnancy diary by following the guidelines and programming suggested in this article, to be able to make sure that the incredible emotions and experiences you will live during your pregnancy remain over time. Keep reading.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Start Writing
Step 1. Organize the material to start writing
To start the pregnancy diary, you will need to put together a series of objects. Organizing everything in advance and seriously deciding to constantly take note of what you will experience, will allow you to be able to go all the way and create a beautiful diary. You will need some items and maybe add more to make everything more fun. Here are some ideas:
- If you want to keep a journal in writing, get a hardcover notebook, preferably with blank pages, no lines or squares.
- Get some wrapping paper to decorate it, a pair of scissors, glue, pencils, highlighters, and anything else you think will be useful to fill your journal.
- Grab a camera to take pictures of the important moments of your pregnancy.
- If you want to have an electronic diary instead, use your computer - you could create a blog or a video blog.
Step 2. Divide the diary into 3 parts
The easiest way to go is to create three parts, one for each trimester of pregnancy. Mark the start of each quarter on the calendar and note moments like:
- When you found out you were pregnant.
- The first time you felt your baby move.
- When you told your parents.
- The first time you went for an ultrasound.
Step 3. Try to start as soon as you know you are pregnant so you don't miss a thing
To make sure you keep track of all the details of this period, start writing right away. If you start postponing, the memories may fade.
- Write about how you found out you were pregnant. Did you find out at the gynecologist, with a pregnancy test or did you just guess it?
- If you still can, take a picture of the test. Was it planned or did it happen by accident? How did you feel when you found out? What was your partner's reaction? How did the rest of the family react?
Step 4. Include your bio to give context to the diary
It will help you relive the whole "scenario" when you read it in the future. This information will help you go back in time and remember who you were at that time when you started writing it.
- Refer to turning points and important decisions in your life, describe them and explain the reasons for your choices.
- Finally, as an important bio note, clarify the decision that led you to have a child.
Step 5. Make time to write your journal regularly
The best thing is to dedicate a specific time in order to have a fixed appointment and be able to update it constantly. It can be difficult to find the time to write a diary, but over time, you will find that it will be a relaxing and welcome time to disconnect from the rhythms of everyday life.
- If you have a lot of time and go through so many different moods, describe how you feel each time you feel something worth remembering.
- If you are busy, set important points on your calendar at the beginning of each term, but try to write something down at least one or more times a week when you feel really motivated.
Step 6. Write for at least 15-20 minutes to give yourself enough time to be as detailed as possible
Spending at least 15 minutes writing allows you to jot down more details that you wouldn't think of if you did it in a much shorter time. Write down everything that comes to your mind, the emotions you feel, everything that happened to you and the people close to you during your pregnancy, and the changes you notice.
When you start writing, the words will come by themselves
Method 2 of 3: What to Write
Step 1. Describing your emotions allows you to show your mental attitude
Feelings are an unlimited source of inspiration for writing a diary. In the period of pregnancy, you will be subject to severe mood swings. You may become even more sensitive and even more nervous than usual. Describe these moods:
- What made you happy?
- Why did you cry?
- What bothered you?
Step 2. Report any changes in your physique
Your body will go through some very important changes. Some will be pleasant, others, like weight gain, will worry you. Writing about these stages will help you think about them when it's all over.
- How much has your belly increased?
- Do you have swollen hands or feet?
- Does your nose seem bigger to you?
- Has your breasts undergone any changes?
- Do you suffer from nausea?
Step 3. Think about the things that are changing in your life
This reflection will serve to allocate the right priorities in your daily life. Being pregnant forces you to change habits for another human being, so it is important to try to reconcile the new needs of your body with those of the baby.
- How do you combine work with pregnancy?
- Have you changed your eating habits?
- Have you quit smoking?
- Do you feel more tired than usual?
Step 4. Write down your fears
It is quite common to have fears during pregnancy. Write them down along with any thoughts you have about the birth, or about the baby's health. Working through these concerns through writing can help you determine if they are real or just irrational thoughts.
- Are you afraid of how your pregnancy progresses?
- Are you afraid that the baby may be born with some health problem?
- Do you feel insecure about your new role as a mother?
Step 5. Think about what your expectations are
It is a way to understand which are the most sensible or realistic. Many parents create expectations, for example, whether they prefer a boy or a girl or what they will look like.
- If you don't know the sex of the baby, are you expecting a boy or a girl?
- Who will he resemble the most, dad or mom?
- Would you like to have a quiet baby or a little pest?
Step 6. Make a note of your dreams
These can be a strong signal from your subconscious. There are many who believe that dreams reflect inner thoughts and feelings, which are not easily attainable in the waking phase. Write down these messages and try to interpret them.
Try to understand if even one of these dreams is coming true or what weight it has in your life
Step 7. Write a letter to the child to be born
It can be a great way to express your feelings about the mother you want to be. It is an exercise that can make you well predisposed towards the baby you are waiting for.
- Try to open up and be honest.
- Describe your thoughts and feelings.
- Try talking about how much you look forward to holding him, your fears, and so on.
Step 8. Find the name for the baby
If you haven't decided on one yet, seek inspiration from those you know, in the world of literature, art, or read a book of names. Writing down your thoughts about it will help you pick a nice name. If, on the other hand, you have already found one, you can write about what prompted you to that choice.
- How and who decided the name?
- Is it a name chosen in honor of someone in particular? Because?
Method 3 of 3: Preserving Objects, as well as Writing
Step 1. Include a collection of photographs to give a visual element to what's happening to you
Photographs speak louder than words and including them in your pregnancy diary is a great way to capture those special moments. A great idea is to always have a camera with you, so you can take pictures of yourself or ask someone else to do it for you.
- Many women include all sorts of photographs in a diary like this one, especially those from ultrasound scans or to show how much belly circumference increases as time goes by.
- Take photos of the places you will visit during this time.
- Keep track of how much your belly grows and photograph it at least once a week.
- Photograph the "baby shower" (ie the party waiting for the unborn child) and keep track of the participants.
- If the diary you are filling out has no space to insert objects, photographs are a great compromise for adding material other than simple text.
Step 2. Including objects in the diary makes it more beautiful and gives it a touch of originality
Whether the diary has enough space or not, there are memories worth keeping. Some will take on symbolic value for you and your family, and are really nice to keep for years to come.
- Among these are the invitations for the "baby shower", the congratulation cards received, the sketches with notes to find the baby's name, the note with the name that is attached in the hospital to your baby's cradle, during the hospital stay..
- As already mentioned, some journals have no room to hold these memories. If this is your case, you can still write the dates and all other information and insert photographs of the objects.
- You can also store this material in a dedicated box.
Step 3. Include family and friends to add more perspectives
Insert photos of family members and create your child's family tree. Have friends and family write some reminder messages, put them in a special envelope and add them to your diary.
It can be a great way for your child to feel welcomed by lots of love and people who are important to their growth
Step 4. Insert the video or audio element
Shoot a video or record audio to add realistic elements. They are a great tool for taking you back in time, conveying detailed information and personal images.
- You can record them on a CD or DVD and show them to your child when they grow up.
- Record the music you listen to or the songs you play your baby while still in your tummy. Then insert the cd / dvd in an envelope and paste it inside the diary.
Step 5. Write down the details of the birth
You will have spent so much time noting and describing your pregnancy that you shouldn't forget to include the birth information! It is the pinnacle event of this important life stage and is often a life changing experience for the new mom. The most relevant details are:
- Where and when the baby was born.
- When did you start feeling the first contractions?
- Who took you to the hospital?
- How did the birth take place? Naturally or with a caesarean section? With or without an epidural?
- How long did the labor last and what was going through your head in those moments?
- How did you feel when you saw your child for the first time?
Step 6. Photograph the baby as soon as it is born
To complete the diary, file the photographs of the newborn baby. Keeping all these precious memories will be priceless when you look back at them in the future.
