Pregnancy is a time of great upheaval, excitement, and stress. Physical and hormonal changes and emotional shifts must be dealt with, as well as myriad appointments with healthcare providers and other professionals. It’s also a period of time when communication is key, whether that be between partners, friends, or doctors. Clear, supportive communication makes the nine months easier to bear, and helps for a happy and healthy pregnancy. It encourages emotional well-being, relationship stability, and overall maternal health, and brings families closer together. But how to effectively communicate during this time of great change and upheaval? Let’s take a closer look.
Communication between partners
If you have a partner, it’s vital to include them as much as possible in every stage of pregnancy. Partnership is one of the most important relationships during the nine-month period, as pregnancy can bring on excitement, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, often simultaneously. Emotions can be intensified by hormonal changes, and lifestyle adjustments always bring and create new pressures on daily routines and life in general. Open communication helps partners navigate these changes together.
Good communication means being able to express feelings openly, including expectations and concerns, which allows both partners to be heard and supported. Active listening without judgement, daily check-ins and expressing appreciation of each other’s efforts strengthens emotional ties, and can enhance the bond between partners. There are also practical matters to be discussed, such as finances, parenting roles, birth plans, and post-birth responsibilities. Addressing these topics early helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces conflict later on. Empathy is important — your partner is probably experiencing different emotions and concerns than you, so listening is just as important a part of communication as speaking.
Communication with healthcare providers
You’ll see a lot of healthcare providers during your pregnancy, and clear communication with them is essential to see you through your full term in good physical and mental health. Prenatal appointments are opportunities to ask questions, talk about symptoms you may be experiencing, and voice any concerns you might have. Sometimes either partner may be hesitant to speak up due to anxiety, feeling rushed, or even embarrassment.
A good practice is to write down questions before you go to your appointments, and keep a diary of sorts documenting any symptoms you may be experiencing. There are many common ailments an expectant mother can experience, so it’s important to be aware of those too, and share any concerns with your healthcare provider. Be honest — there is no shame in talking about physical discomfort or mental wellbeing, or even medication usage or lifestyle. Accurate information helps healthcare providers to offer appropriate guidance and support. These appointments are also opportunities to explore post-partum options and discuss any concerns you might have about when the baby actually arrives.
Family and social communication
If you have family, friends and even co-workers around you, you may experience increased attention during pregnancy. Support from these quarters can be comforting, but unsolicited advice or intrusive questions can become overwhelming. Clear communication helps set healthy boundaries that will aid with your mental wellbeing. It’s important to be able to refuse advice calmly and respectfully, requesting privacy or specifically requesting certain types of support, such as extra understanding for the need to attend doctors’ appointments, etc. Workload adjustments and parental leave plans should be discussed early to avoid misunderstandings or disagreements as the pregnancy progresses.
Don’t forget that family members and other loved ones will be concerned about your wellbeing, and that’s a good thing. But don’t let them overstep the mark — telling them that you’re grateful for their advice but you’ve chosen to follow doctors’ orders can soften a rebuffal.
Emotional connection and mental health
Pregnancy can bring about large shifts in mental wellbeing, mainly due to the hormonal imbalance it can cause. Having a solid support network to effectively communicate with is essential to help guide and navigate through these shifts, with empathy, compassion, and understanding. Mental wellbeing is crucial for you and for your baby, as relaxation and mindfulness will lead to a smoother and more enriching pregnancy.
Communication is vital at all stages of pregnancy, and particularly with those close to you. It can foster empathy, and contribute to both physical health and mental wellbeing. Being open and sharing with loved ones and health care providers will ensure a smoother ride over your nine months.
