Parenthood
Parenthood
Parenthood is not easy for anyone, and it has been at the center of community attend for a long history. A lot of the time, we are just finding out the news via a test, or a late menstrual cycle. The feeling one gets once pregnant, is different for every and any person who gets that news. If you're not pregnant, what if found out you were pregnant right now, how would you feel? No matter how many people read this, the answers will always be different. Some people have extreme anxiety, happiness, depression, fear, etc. No emotion is wrong or right to feel. Everyone's approach to parenthood and pregnancy is up to them.
We chose to put there experiences together, because whether or not you plan on becoming a parent this pregnancy, you have feelings and experiences that are simply parental. This doesn't mean your choice to or to not parent or have a child is wrong, it simply means your experience is unique. No one should ever be pressured to have a pregnancy they don't want to carry. We of course know that with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, we are now seeing many more issues surrounding all maternal health care.
Choosing Maternal Health Care Plans, can be quite complex and personal; however, we stress the need for readiness of change by medical needs. It's really important that we always keep an open mind to any maternal health care plan, we want to make sure that health of the mother and baby are always top priority. Make sure when you find a plan that works for you that you think about you would want in any what if situations. It's of course our duty to remind you that worrying about unnecessary risks or situations can worsen fearful ideations, and we always want to keep a positive outlook on pregnancy.
Sometimes neonatal medical doctors are needed to assist on any pregnancy conditions, or things to keep you aware of, we want to stress that there is no right way to feel in those times. Communication and knowledge is your best friend; knowing your obstacles can be your best tool. Make sure that you find a medical provider and doula that you trust who can talk you through all of your options and what they mean more personally to you.
Birth trauma is very real, and this can be challengely for everyone. We stress the need to communicating boundaries with your provides, and ask them to explain any procedures that are confusing to you. Consent and communication should always be the most important thing to your medical providers and the people you bring in the room with you.
Teen Pregnancy
Knowing that you're pregnant is a big step, and many people figure this out via a test, or a late period; however, we also need to discuss the ways that not having sexual health education from a young age, can effect people long term. Not every young person who becomes pregnant knows how that happen. Not knowing what sex is, can be just as scary (if not scarier) than sexual education itself.
Teen pregnancy is real, and many people make the choices about their pregnancies and they see fit; however, we know that in a minor's medical treatment, parents are often involved. We know that accessing the necessary medical treatments is really important to younger people, and we hope that more access becomes available. We also want to recognize our teen moms who choose to continue through their pregnancies. Choosing to carry on with a pregnancy is a huge effort and takes lots of energy and mental effort. It can be tough to navigate relationships as a teenager and also navigate a pregnancy. We have to make sure that we are being as supportive as we can to our younger parents, because they are still growing themselves. Many teens also run the risk of beign kicked out or having to leave their home due to violence or values. It's important that we be clear about the ways that that family support effects all young people as they grow up.
If you choose to raise your child, there are a lot more things that come into play. Of course depending on your family and the support they are willing to lend, this situation could look different for everyone. We have a lot of teen parents in foster care with their pregnancies or children, and not many families are willing to foster them. This is also a huge issue in areas that are rural and have no access to maternal health care early on in the pregnancy. Making decisions for your child and what you want their future to look like may be something you start to think about. Don't forget that the future you aspire to have, is important too.
Planned Pregnancy
Planned Pregnancy is really important to talk about for a number of reasons. Often we forget that some people have to try, or even go to a doctor in order to get pregnant. This kind of medical intervention can be really emotionally and physically intense. So when we approach the topic of planned pregnancy its a time of rejoice, but also a time of rememberance. The hard work that mostly AFAB people and women put in, is something to discuss when it comes to planning a pregnancy. The effort put in to be pregnant and all the work that comes after is a wonderful adventure to be on.
We will not give advice on how to plan a pregnancy, but we know there are plenty of online sites, medical professionals, etc. to learn your information.
Unplanned Pregnancy
All people who are in our world face the possibility of having a child, but people born female at birth have a disproportionate rate of being first time single parents. When it comes to an unplanned pregnancy there can be many emotions that come about. For some, this becomes an opportunity for a change of pace, and for some its a scary or uncomfortable time. Whatever you plan to do with your pregnancy is up to you, so it's important that you take this time to find your support group during this endeavor. If you are approaching a conversation with parents or partners remember that there are solid people to back you during this time: therapist, doula, Planned Parenthood, OBGYN MD, trust people in your life, etc.
There are many free resources for parents to get resources during this time and we will be linking them in a page below called "Free Parent Resources."
Maternal Fetal Medicine:
Maternal Medicine is updating all the time, but the spread of knowledge has a dependency on their ability to practice what they are learning. Maternal health providers are typically OBGYN-MDs, OB Nurses, Midwives, Doulas, and other possible caregivers. When talking to any physician centering your consent to any and all interventions should be the focus of conversation. Having a plethera of knowlegde when going to the birthing process is vitally important, we should encourage all people who can get pregnant to learn about pregnancy during their adulthood.
Currently in several states in America where providing any kinds of diagnoses, or treating pregnancy-related conditions, can possibly have consequences of arrest, fines, and jail time. Which has caused many of the maternal physicians and care givers to move their practices to other safer states. This has also resulted in the creation of maternal healthcare deserts, which increases the likelihood of birth complications and maternal mortality.
Pregnancy is different for everyone, but we should never underestimate the ways that pregnancy can inhibit someone from working, leading their normal lives, or enjoying the same activities. For some pregnancy is the best feeling ever, and for some its something they fear. We encourage you to take this time, to seek a therapist and doula regardless of your plans with your pregnancy. This way you can have a support group during this time.
Seek information from an OBGYN, and don't forget you can get free and low cost maternal health care at Planned Parenthood, as they are there to assist you through the pregnancy and birthing process as well as their other medical care options.
The postpardom time is delicate and different for each possible birth experience. Not all mothers go home with their babies, and not all births are traumatic. It's important to ask the people you know going through this time what you can to do to support them through this time and support the forming of their boundaries.
Its important to mention that during this time many people experience postpardom depression. The people who are experiencing pregnancy experience a huge shift in horomones during and after the pregnancy. So when we are thinking about the time we have after birth, it's a good time to take our mental health extra seriously and seek out extra help if were in need.
Many parents don't experience the birthing and pregnancy part of parenthood; however, it is not because they don't want to. We should be very clear that many parents in this position should think deeply about their reasons and education when it comes to adoption. Many people in this position are LGBTQIA+ because of the typical inability to procreate within their own relationship. Many heterosexual couples also adopt, but it's important to mention how many gay and minority couples have a harder time getting the ability to adopt due to different state and private agencies rules.
It's also important to listen to adoptees when its comes to the way we approach adoption. Many people believe the adoption world can be unsafe or cruel, but its important
Free Parent Resources:
Target: By opening a registry you get 15% off all things added to your list, and a free baby box from Target. (even if you don't use the registry get the free baby box)
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library : Children receive a free book every month from birth to age 6. Sign up where it says "Can I register my child?" in the margin!
Let us about what we should add or what we don't know about yet in the Comments section of our page.
When we discuss pregnancy it's important that we discuss the events of loss and infertility that many people face when hoping to start a family. Many people who would like to experience pregnancy are unable to, or unable to sustain them. None of this is to the fault of any person, and its important that we remember this as we discuss how loss an occur. Some people experience loss during the birthing process or directly after. It's important that we listent to parents and understand the concerns and realities of parenthood and pregnancy. Some births that result in loss are referred to as a still birth, and this refers to the death of a infant in days leading up to or during the birthing process. Not all still births have a distinct reason, but the risk factors you may have are only able to be detected by your doctor.
For those who experience infertility they may have to go through other procedures and medication treatments in order to conceive. These procedures and medications can cause side effects and are hard for many to endure, so we should definitely understand the physical burden infertility makes people face.