Many women start their first journal during pregnancy. However, what starts out as a great keepsake for their child can really end up being so much more. Something "cute" for the baby ends up being an important outlet for fears and dreams during the important nine months of pregnancy. I know - it happened to me.



It has long been known that journaling can strengthen the immune system, preventing a host of illnesses. Expectant mothers need all the help they can get to stay healthy. In addition, journaling can counteract many of the negative affects of stress which pregnancy in itself brings on. Having this research in hand, it is very important to make journaling during pregnancy as vital as the prenatal vitamin.

Initially, most of the questions in a pregnancy journal are "feel good" questions with quick answers. However, there are some questions/situations that may arise that may require that you really dig deep within yourself to think and write about. It is during these important times you utilize your pregnancy journal to the fullest. The last thing you may want to do is to sit down and talk about all your feelings, fears, hopes and apprehension about the upcoming months. However, a journal can really help ease the transition until you are ready to talk to someone. A pregnancy journal can really serve as your road map about important issues that you will be facing. Writing down your thoughts can really help, as far as finding answers and easing your fear. A journal can be your own private counselor to pour your thoughts and emotions into. You never have to show another soul. However, you can decide to hand the pregnancy journal down to your children, this is your choice. What matters is that you have a safe outlet to pour out your heart and work through any issues you may have about becoming a mother.

Journaling can be defined as a practice of writing or keeping a dairy. Sometimes it is easiest to start journaling during life changing events, like being pregnant. Many women are so satisfied with the positive affects of journaling that they continue on well after the baby is born. Journaling is more than a daily log of events. It is more the opportunity into self exploration. It is the gift of bringing some stability to your current situation, finding your inner strength, and increasing your focus on what is important; you having a healthy pregnancy. It clarifies all your thoughts and behavior, measures and tracks what is really important in life and brings things together for a better understanding.

My pregnancy journal started out being a "hobby." I would write about doctor appointments, cute maternity clothes I bought and the food I was craving. Suddenly the tone of the journal changed all together. See, one of my friends was pregnant at the same time, delivered full-term and the baby didn't make it. My life as an expectant mother changed at that very moment. I was scared to death. I began to worry about every ache and pain. Then I began to worry if I didn't have any aches and pains. I was a mess. No longer was I trying to prevent stretch marks, I was preparing how I would handle the situation if something happened to my unborn baby. I took to my journal and started to write and pour my heart out. I began to explore all kinds of different issues, such as if my child had a disability (Down's syndrome, Spinal Bifida). Journaling about these issues really helped me work through them and come to terms with what I would do. What would I do? I would do the best with what I was given, treat it as a gift and make the most of my life as the mother of my daughter, whatever that might entail.

There is no reason you cannot make your pregnancy journal a "warm and fuzzy" experience. However, you may come across things that strike a nerve and require a great deal of thought and effort to work out. Use your pregnancy journal and make it both "cute" and "useful."