You’ve been trying to have a baby for months (if not years), and now it seems like your dream is about to come true. But while you eagerly await the birth of your surrogate baby, there are a few ways you can make the most of this time to prepare for parenthood. In the next part, we will discuss some self-care tips on how you can give yourself the best possible care while waiting for your baby.
Why take care of yourself?
Surely, you are in for a difficult journey. You have faced many challenges and disappointments. After such an experience, it is important for Intended Parents to use their time wisely. Deal with your difficult emotions, find a support group, and take time to take care of yourself, and you’ll be happy when your baby finally arrives.
1. Find your “own people”
There are many other people who are going through or have gone through the exact same thing. At this time, you need those who have been in your position and understand your situation.
Contact a local support group or go online to talk to others who are going through the same thing. By reaching out and being there for other people, you’ll know you’re not alone.
2. Get answers to your questions
For peace of mind, it is important to ask your surrogacy agency all the questions that may be bothering you. Examples of questions to ask include:
It is best to be completely honest with the agency and Surrogate Mother if you are concerned or anxious. Communication and transparency are very important.
3. Consult a therapist
You may benefit from a professional, relaxed place where you won’t be judged—a place where you can feel free to express your difficult emotions.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great way to get over your fears, deal with your emotions, and grieve the pregnancy experience you will never have. This will help improve your mental health, allowing you to be the best parent you can be when your child comes home.
4. Practice mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness – being fully aware of the present moment – has many health benefits, including calming your body and mind. A short 5-minute meditation can refresh and energize you.
Guided meditation can be a good choice if you are just starting out in meditation. There are many websites, applications, and audio files that can guide you through each step of the medication.
Moreover, there are many breathing exercises that can relieve stress in minutes, so you can do them even if you have limited time. Although they don’t take much time to do, a few deep cleansing breaths can help calm your mind and body.
Yoga is a great way to incorporate mindfulness meditation into your daily schedule, which can help improve your physical health, not to mention the mental and physical benefits.
5. Eat healthy and do lots of exercise
The food we eat can have a big impact on our mood. When you don’t have the right nutrients, you can feel more anxious, depressed, lethargic, and foggy. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and eat plenty of dopamine-boosting foods like eggs, fish, chicken, legumes, and leafy greens to increase levels of happy hormones.
In addition, exercise can help with the release endorphins in the body, which induces positive emotions that can help you feel more happy, energized, and hopeful.
Research shows that exercise relieves stress, promotes sleep, increases self-esteem, and prevents feelings of depression and anxiety. It also improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, helps burn body fat, improves muscle strength and tone, and increases your energy levels.
You need to be as healthy as possible when you have a baby to take care of!
6. Keep a journal
As an Intended Parent, you may experience many complex emotions that are difficult to express.
Writing your feelings in a journal can help you heal both mentally and emotionally.
Research has shown that people who keep gratitude journals sleep longer and have better quality sleep. And the best part, it only takes a few minutes to write in a gratitude journal and it won’t cost you any money.
7. Habit to be thankful every day
Keep a daily gratitude list in the same journal.
It’s very easy.
You just need to write a list of things you are grateful for every day. It could be your car, your partner, your cat, the good weather, your job, and the chance to start a family through surrogacy.
Studies show that practicing gratitude improves mental health, mental strength, self-esteem, and the ability to empathize with others – all of which are helpful during a surrogacy journey.
8. Reconnect with your spouse
The surrogacy journey can take a lot out of you and your partner (if you have one). So, it’s important that you both take time to reconnect with each other. You should try going on dates, going on vacation, or spending quality time together doing something you love. This will help deepen your connection and give you both a stronger foundation to deal with whatever comes your way.
remember that: you are a team! You’re both here together! It is also possible that your partner is also experiencing the same feelings as you. Come out and have fun together. Both of you should focus on being married for some time. This will help a lot.
9. Have empathy for your Surrogate mother
Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s point of view and feel their feelings. Putting yourself in the position of your Surrogate Mother will do your mind good. This will allow you to see the bigger picture – that you are both trying to achieve the same thing – to bring a child into the world.
Practicing empathy reduces stress, improves overall health, eases pain, and helps you feel connected to your Substitute. It will also strengthen your relationship by reducing negativity between the two of you.
10. Get enough sleep
It will be difficult to maintain good physical and mental health if you are not getting enough sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep prevents depression, improves heart health, improves brain function, reduces the chances of getting hurt in an accident, boosts your mood, strengthens relationships, and improves your sex life .
11. Incorporate self-care into your schedule
When on the surrogacy journey, it’s very easy to forget about self-care because it can seem like other things are more important than taking care of yourself.
Remember: nothing is more important than taking care of yourself. How can you take care of your baby if you can’t take care of yourself? Start your parenting journey off right by taking care of yourself and being the healthiest, happiest version of “you.” That’s the best gift you can give your baby!
12. Tasteful
You probably don’t usually taste something if you’re always in a hurry. Make sure to have a taste every day. Whether you want to savor your first cup of tea in the morning or the bonding moments when you play with your child, try practicing mindfulness.
Final word
Remember the most basic part of self-care: eat healthy, sleep 7-8 hours per night, and exercise regularly. You shouldn’t expect perfection when it comes to keeping a clean home, but try to keep to the basics, like washing dishes, vacuuming, and doing your laundry.
Also, incorporate regular self-care tips into your daily routine.
Note: the times you feel like you don’t have time to take care of yourself are probably the times you need to take care of yourself.
If you are feeling anxious and anxious or think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You may also benefit from a referral to a mental health specialist. But before that, your doctor may want to check and make sure your feelings aren’t due to physical health issues.
Physician’s Surrogacy has helped many Intended Parents fulfill their dream of having a family through gestational surrogacy. For any questions about the process, schedule a free consultation using the link provided.
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