I write a lot about the time Jason and I spent living overseas. While it was a relatively short season in our lives, we experienced immense growth and maturity. It was also where I spent the first 3 months of my pregnancy. Before my husband and I boarded that one-way flight to London, we went to visit his grandparents. They gave us a bit of advice that stuck with me.
Write everything down. Journal your experiences. When you eventually come home you’ll start to forget all of the details that made your experience so special.
I wish I had taken that advice and applied it to my pregnancy. I only started THINKING about journaling when I was placed on bedrest at 17 weeks. And it wasn’t until the end of my second trimester when I discovered The Pregnancy Journal.
I have to diverge just a second to say that I have bought and been given many journals. In theory, a journal is a thoughtful and insightful gift. Realistically, I’ve never had much success with journaling. People gift journals when they a. have no idea what to get you b. realize they have not bought you a gift and c. need to get rid of the ones they’ve yet to use. Perhaps my lack of success with journaling can be attributed to the journal itself rather than the journalist within me. Staring mindlessly at blank pages begging to be filled with thoughtful insights has the potential to create writer’s block in even the most seasoned writers.
The Pregnancy Journal, by A. Christine Harris’, only resembles your typical journal in the sense that you can record your day-to-day thoughts, feelings, and experiences throughout your pregnancy. This little book is so much more than a journal. While I was pregnant with my son, I was consumed with curious inquisition, wonder, and amazement at the little miracle developing inside me. I wanted to know how big he was, what organs were developing, how my body was changing, what I needed to do to keep us both healthy and safe, how to support his growth and development… The questions were endless. While a detailed pregnancy reference is a must, I often found myself overwhelmed with the depth and breadth of information provided. The Pregnancy Journal concisely provides tidbits of information about the growth and development of your baby and the changes your body is experiencing. It is a daily snapshot of you and your growing baby. The author has recently released a revised version of the journal which includes updated facts about prenatal development, current nutritional recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, and expanded coverage of subsequent pregnancies and the transition that ensues, technology-assisted pregnancies, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, doulas, and much more.
I only wish I had started journaling earlier in my first pregnancy. I would love to go back to my thoughts and feelings regarding those first few months in Scotland when I was relishing in the joy (and nausea) of early pregnancy. The Pregnancy Journal contains so many intricacies that make it such a special memoir. From daily inspirational quotes to information about Childbirth Then and Now, you’ll find this journal to be a source of information as well as an outlet for expression. Journal your waist size and weight (if you dare) and your mood, energy and appetite and look back after your baby is born. I plan on journaling our next pregnancy and am looking forward to re-reading my thoughts and experiences during my first pregnancy to see how they compare.
The Pregnancy Journal is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Read what other moms are saying about The Pregnancy Journal here.
I had this epiphany that I would
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Great post! I’ll subscribe right now wth my feedreader software!
I’m now 19 and experiencing being a dad. I must say although it feels good it’s still hard. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but to be honest, the hard part is having to balance time. My daughter is great and makes managing her never dreadful. -Teen dad
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