A pregnant woman is extremely sensitive.
I don’t think you would argue with that statement. Just look at the heightened sense of smell alone!
The body changes. And inside, a new life is growing—a baby.
Throughout pregnancy, every woman experiences a multitude of new sensations she hasn’t felt before.
A pulling sensation in the abdomen, nausea that can be triggered by any smell, these smells becoming overwhelmingly intense, and on top of that, a new human being living and moving inside.
Pregnancy also affects a woman’s emotional and mental state.
And no matter how balanced and grounded you were in your everyday life, don’t worry—pregnancy will change that.
There will be tears out of nowhere for no reason, and spontaneous purchases. Pro tip: keep your receipts so you can return unnecessary items bought on emotional impulse.
And unfortunately, the attitude toward pregnancy and birth in modern society and medical systems in some countries further destabilizes the already fragile emotional state of a pregnant woman.
On top of that, the body adds to the emotional rollercoaster: an ache here, a pulling sensation there.
To give credit where it’s due, there are countries where healthcare providers treat pregnant women calmly, like regular people, without overwhelming them with unnecessary exams and tests.
However, Ukrainian women are used to visiting the doctor every week and giving a liter of urine and half a liter of blood for various tests. When such women arrive in another country where midwife visits happen once a month and almost no tests are requested, it’s logical that people feel outraged by what seems like a negligent attitude.
So it’s essential to know what a pregnant woman actually needs.
Let’s break it down:
For example, nausea in the first trimester can get in the way of cooking, while a large belly in the third trimester makes tying shoes a challenge.
So bringing food or helping with household chores is wonderful support for a pregnant woman.
All these things help a woman feel safe, which is the main condition for switching off her thinking brain—the neocortex.
Because labor isn’t driven by the neocortex; it’s governed by the ancient brain responsible for all human reflexes and instincts.
That’s how we can significantly support childbirth during pregnancy.
