Connecting With Baby Before Birth by Jessica Zucker, Ph.D.

Ubiquitous prenatal gadgets tempt expecting mothers at every turn as the market is saturated with ever-changing options for mommy, daddy, and baby.  But underneath it all, we are simply striving toward a common desire to fulfill the ideals of mothering and to connect with our babies.

Stroller technology alone is enough to baffle the mind- maybe next year we'll see an organic, Tempur-Pedic stroller that is manufactured with recycled diapers, making the Orbit seem old school. Of course, it will cost a small fortune but will elevate ones eco-parenting status beyond compare.

Advice from sisters, mothers, friends, and countless strangers streams in as our bellies expand, solicited or not. Somehow even when seasoned women talk about their choices and experiences in pregnancy, labor, or motherhood there is often a tinge of pressure.  The subtext of these conversations (consciously or not) urges budding moms to "be like me", or conversely, "avoid my calamities and regrets".

The feedback might even be paradoxical: "You should do what I did even though I don't feel great about the choices I made.  I wish I knew what you know now". 

Of course, these loved ones (or even the strangers on the street) don't intend to create a sense of insecurity, often contributing to anxiety or even manifesting feelings of overwhelm and depression.  Nevertheless, some pregnant women report having an uncomfortable nagging sense of dis-ease in their psyches as they traverse this transformative time in their lives.

Pregnancy is an opportune time for culture to invite women to focus on the developing baby in utero- to slow down and create space for connection, prenatal bonding, reflection, and moments of wonderment.  Instead, there is often societal chatter about what to buy and how to decorate, as well as inherited concerns about how to lose the "baby weight" before baby even arrives.  All of these factors contribute to externally focused desires.

A mantra missing from mainstream society is one of trust- trusting oneself and carving out time to get familiar with feelings associated with parenting, rather than avoiding them.

Who am I as a woman; a mother-to-be; a partner;  How does my childhood impact how I see and understand myself;  Are issues lingering from my family life that might be worth attending to now, before I blaze a new path of parenthood; What kind of role model do I want to be for my child;  If I find myself concerned about enduring postpartum struggles, how might I bolster my internal resources now so that I feel more centered when baby is in my arms?

Though these questions might stimulate a variety of complex feelings, the benefits of exploring these emotions during pregnancy will strengthen your core, subsequently engendering a more mindful childhood for your baby.  In-depth psychological investigation is potentially a lifelong preventative investment, paying dividends along the way. 

Research reveals that perinatal and postpartum mood disorders are often linked to: strivings for perfection, unexplored and often unrealistic expectations of control, anxiety and depression during pregnancy, prior history of depression, family history of depression, ambivalence around issues of mutual dependency, helplessness, history of early loss, trauma, or abuse, previous bouts of postpartum depression, obstetrical complications, and lack of social support.

The prognosis for postpartum blues and depression is directly tied to the swiftness with which one addresses the symptoms.  In other words, responding to internal uneasiness straight away could make a world of difference.  Taking steps to deepen your understanding of who you are during this monumental milestone- pregnant and on the precipice of parenthood- can harness confidence and promote grace.

Here are some psychological meditations for cultivating a conscious pregnancy and postpartum period, with baby in mind:

• Be Connected. Being present in the moment, being attuned to your body, your developing baby, and your breath can cultivate embodied awareness. Try to take time each day (even if it's only for 2 minutes) during pregnancy and beyond to notice your breathing.

• Be True. Sentimentality around pregnancy and parenting can make moms-to-be feel alienated. Some women don't necessarily feel overjoyed by all of the elements of pregnancy or postpartum changes. If you're not 100% excited all the time, that's okay. Be who you are. Take moments to reflect on what you truly feel, what your gut reactions are, and what feels right for you. For those of you who thoroughly enjoy pregnancy or who want to be a full-time stay at home mommy, be true to those feelings. Honor what is deeply you.

• Be Bold. Step into uncharted territory within. Mindfully wonder about your enthusiasm, your fears, your identity, your personal history. Challenge yourself to rest in uncomfortable places internally. Ask for help when needed.

• Be Curious. Attachment and bonding during pregnancy and in the early moments of your child's life sets the framework for on your relationship with your baby and their relationship with the world. Cultivating curiosity while your baby is developing in your body through noticing prenatal movements, talking or singing to your baby in your belly, or touching your baby "bump" as you acknowledge this burgeoning life within can create a sense of connectivity. Reflect on attachment relationships in your family of origin and consider addressing issues that might be pulling at your heartstrings. Wonder about how you might foster your relationship with your child similarly and differently than what you remember experiencing in your childhood. Consider the subtleties of bonding and attachment which might be as simple as gazing into your babies eyes, or narrating your actions or thoughts as you transition baby from one activity to another, or making weekly visits to your psychotherapist while pregnant to explore unhealed challenges that you feel may inhibit the flow of attachment.

• Be Generous. Making sure you feel soothed, balanced, or attuned with yourself might be just what you need to help stave off postpartum challenges. Taking care while pregnant may plant seeds of mind-body health and wellbeing. Some fortifying steps to take could include: psychotherapy individually or with your partner, meditation, massage, yoga, acupuncture, thoughtfully considering your birth wish list, or pondering who you might want supporting you at your baby's birth.

Being present with yourself in pregnancy will help you to be present with your child in parenthood.  With the aim of fostering a dynamic bond with your baby, examining your internal landscape during the prenatal phase can yield increased clarity and space for connecting with this new addition to your family.

Emotional wellbeing is something we can endeavor for throughout pregnancy.  As far as whether or not the next generation of strollers has a built in ipod and solar panels is something we can leave up to the stroller gurus. 

Dr. Jessica Zucker is a psychotherapist in Los Angeles specializing in women's health with a focus on fertility, prenatal and postpartum adjustments, and transitions in motherhood. She is a part of the upcoming PBS documentary, This Emotional Life as well as a contributing author to a book (2010) titled Knowing and Not-Knowing and Sort-of-Knowing: Psychoanalysis and Uncertainty.  www.drjessicazucker.com