Ready Set Baby!

Taking the giant step to starting life’s next adventure, MELISSA JANE COOK probes important conversations before ha4ving children.

- Melissa Jane Cook

Deciding to start a family is incredibly exciting and thrilling and can also create jittery feelings of apprehension. This massive leap into the unknown is one of the major, irreversible decisions that you and your partner will ever make in each other’s lives. Often in the frenzy of baby-making couples get so caught up in the delight of finally having a baby that they forget about the things they need to have in place before they are ready to become parents. Here is a list of issues to consider and discuss prior to the birth of your little cherub.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS – PREPARING YOUR HEAD AND HEART

Expectant parents need to prepare themselves to be emotionally present and available to a new baby all the time, especially in the beginning, and learn to tolerate the demands of a baby, the feelings of stress, frustration, incompetence, vulnerability, responsibility and selflessness that a new baby evokes from an adult.

• Are you and your spouse on the same page? You both need to speak honestly and openly if you are ready for a child at this particular time. You need to consider if you and your significant other feel secure enough in your relationship to become parents.

• Are you satisfied with most parts of your life and your relationship— enough to take on this new role? Some hesitation or ambivalence is normal, but if you are feeling turmoil, it may mean that this is not the right moment. You may need to figure out what else needs to happen or get resolved.