Everyone is aware that parenting is full of peer pressure and tough decisions, but did you know that there are pregnancy peer pressures, too!? It seems that the celebrity world has gone baby-mad at the moment, with a whole variety of high-profile babies on the way (Kim-K and K-Mid, we are looking at you!). Here are the pregnancy peer pressures you can safely ignore.
One from the very start of pregnancy peer pressures, this one is definitely getting a lot worse. When I was born, everyone wanted a retro-style Silver Cross pram – but they cost a lot, and for most people, remained a dream. These days, it’s not just a pram, it’s a complete transport system that’s fitted with amazing safety features, things that will help your baby sleep and probably IQ boosters…and the price is as big as you are imagining. If you can afford it, and really want one, invest away. But if you’d be just as happy with something cheaper, or if it will get you into debt, don’t bother. It’s a lot of money on something that you won’t use for long!
Anyone who has been to a prenatal class has been asked the question…what’s in your birth plan? Ten years ago, C-sections were longed after, and a natural birth was seen as the lesser way to deliver your baby. Now, women seem to compete to give birth in the most natural way, from refusing all gas and air to hypnobirthing and even orgasmic birthing. Ignore all the chatter, and read up on the styles before choosing the best one for you. Nobody will care how you delivered when your gorgeous baby is around, anyway…
It started with celebrities being splashed everywhere, in all stages of pregnancy, and people commenting on how they had a gorgeous glow, a lovely bump, and an amazing wardrobe. Then the celebrities spoke, and said how easy pregnancy was, and how their relationship is better than ever. Now we’ve got stores dedicated to making pregnant women look hot, beauty treatments that won’t affect baby and an expectation that every pregnant lady should be a yummy mummy right up to the birth. It’s a whole load of extra pressure, so if you feel like spending the day in a t-shirt and trackies, going make-up less or taking it easy, feel free. Don’t they know you are working hard growing a baby?!
Food has always been a controversial pregnancy topic. Countries and agencies tend to disagree on what is safe and how much can be consumed, and there is always reports linking various foods to post-birth problems. Spending 9 months avoiding all alcohol and any banned foods is hard enough, so why is there so much pressure to opt for all-organic, local and completely fresh foods? Not to mention those suggesting you cut down your intake to ensure you lose the baby weight quickly… If you are worried, speak to your doctor, but most people can continue to eat relatively normally without worrying. Once the morning sickness has passed, you’ll just be happy that you can eat again, whether it’s a burger or a banana.
Once you hit six months, everyone will comment on your bump. And it won’t be long before they are telling you about a whole bunch of pregnancy aids, too…pregnancy pillows are firm pillows that offer support to the bump, and can make sleeping more comfortable – but they are at least five times more expensive than normal cushions. Feeding pillows are soft and nicely decorated for breastfeeding babies on, but they tend to be expensive too…and who wants to completely cover their house in pregnancy things?! Normal pillows will do just fine, if you don’t feel like trekking round pregnancy stores with a HUGE pillow, and spending a fortune.
Whether you are a yoga-lover or you wouldn’t be caught dead in the downward dog, pregnancy yoga seems to be essential for everyone. Classes have flooded every town hall and community center, and there’s plenty of promised benefits, including a calm, restful baby that sleeps like a dream, and a calm, painless labor…but back in the real world, you’ll probably find you are asked more than once. If you’ve always been curious, check it out. If it’s not your thing, don’t be afraid to back out of it. After all, there’s always time for bizarre classes after the baby is born.
Nobody looks forward to changing nappies – it’s a good job those gorgeous babies are worth it! But you’ll probably find yourself thinking about nappies a lot earlier than you were expecting. Everyone from close friends to complete strangers will have an opinion on the disposables or washable debate, the breast v. bottle debate…oh, and don’t forget the whole argument surrounding dummies. Consider the options, listen to the advice, and make your own decisions. What’s right for your baby is the same as what is right for you, and there’s no real way of going wrong.
Have you been playing your baby Mozart? Stocking up on the entire Baby Einstein back catalogue? Speaking to them in five different languages? There are whole journals full of things that have been linked with increasing babies’ IQs – and a whole collection of discredited ideas, too. If you want to speak to your baby in a different language, go for it. Listening to music can be a great way of bonding, especially if your baby kicks along. But don’t stress yourself out to educate your child already. He’s growing, and that’s all he needs to do just now.
How many of these pregnancy peer pressures did you feel? It seems the mother and baby world is filling up with ideas, expectations and new gadgets. Is it time we rejected these ideals, and let every expectant mother do what they need to?! Let me know what you think!