Getting Ready for Childbirth

Becoming a parent is a major life milestone. During pregnancy, moods, emotional states, family relationships, and parental responsibilities change, and individuals adapt differently. The real feeling of becoming a parent emerges when the baby is born.

Getting Ready for Motherhood

First Trimester

Uncertainty
In the early moments, the mother is unsure about her pregnancy and looks for signs of changes in her body. Women's reactions to this situation vary, and some experience feelings of uncertainty.

Doubt and Hesitation
Almost all women experience doubt once they are certain about their pregnancy. Some may feel that pregnancy may not be suitable for them and worry about the changes that may arise in their relationships with their partner and children.

Self-Focus
During the first three months, the woman becomes more focused on herself, and her reactions indicate that changes are occurring in her body, even though the existence of the fetus is still uncertain. She typically says, "I am pregnant" instead of "I will have a baby." Physical and hormonal changes may lead to mood swings, emotional instability, and fleeting emotions.

Anger, sleepiness, or extreme fatigue are manifestations of these changes. She may even cry for no reason and become irritable.

 

Second Trimester

Physical Changes
Changes like breast and uterus enlargement, weight gain, and fetal movement give reality to the existence of the fetus. The mother feels the fetus as a separate but dependent being, and she may say, "I will have a baby."

Attention to the Fetus
At this time, the mother generally feels better and pays more attention to the fetus, wanting to know more about nutrition and how the fetus grows and develops.

Narcissism and Introversion
The pregnant woman becomes very interested in her ability to protect the fetus, sometimes manifesting as narcissism. She puts more importance on her food and clothing and may find herself disengaging from her job or daily events, particularly if she is a working pregnant woman.

 

Third Trimester

Vulnerability
In this month, especially in the seventh month, she feels vulnerable and worries that the fetus could be harmed or lost, so she tends to avoid crowded environments.

Increased Dependency
Often, in the final weeks of pregnancy, the mother feels more dependent on her partner and family, frequently calling her partner at work to ensure he is available. She prepares for childbirth and motherhood and needs more love and attention from her partner. She talks about her baby’s characteristics and says, "I am becoming a mother."

Concern
Typically, pregnant mothers worry about what to do if labor starts. To ease these worries, it's better for the pregnant woman to plan ahead regarding who will be with her during childbirth or who will care for her other child. Overall, these psychological reactions are entirely natural and gradually subside, and the experiences may differ between first-time pregnancies and subsequent ones.