Balanceophile

During the entirety of my pregnancy, I have witnessed some interesting changes and heard some fresh conversations around pregnancy. While there is a common stigma around pregnancy like men are not involved completely, gender bias, hesitations, etc., I saw the other end of this world. This made me write about how things have changed over time, and the future looks bright from this angle.

Open Conversations

I met so many pregnant women when I was pregnant. The aspect that surprised me and made me happy at the same time was how open the conversations around pregnancy have been in front of our respective spouses. Talk about amniotic fluid, pelvic pressure, breast pumps, labor pain, etc. There was no tension between the couples. In fact, men were actively listening and asking questions.

Involvement of Fathers

Most fathers that I met were active in parenthood, they understood the meaning of fatherhood. Not just with changing diapers or burping the baby, it was taking care of the new mother, cooking, cleaning the house, taking care of the first child, waking up during the night, and much more. Things are changing, and is evident from this viewpoint.

Emphasis on Strength Training and Exercise

Most pregnant women I interacted with were very conscious about being active during pregnancy. From yoga during early pregnancy to meditation, the awareness of the importance of various exercises during this phase was a refreshing one. And as icing on the cake, few of them even did strength training as part of their fitness routine, which showed that there’s hope in this world to stay healthy after all.

The Role of Husbands

I can see the diminishing of the days when husbands stood outside the labor room while their wives went through the most miserable time of their lives. Husbands are volunteering to enter the labor room to stick by their partner’s side. Not just that, they are normalizing taking control over household chores. No, it’s not because the wife is pregnant and cannot handle the load. It’s because they have finally realized what being a husband really means. They no longer hesitate in managing the household. In fact, they do it with true love and care.

Sensitivity in Men

Men can never understand the turmoil of pregnancy and postpartum. However, they can make a great impact on the mental health of the new mother through their support. I hear so many women share how supportive the men in their lives are. Not just husbands, but brothers, friends, etc. When they say they shall support, they mean it. As simple as cooking the new mother’s favourite meal or taking her out for some fresh air while someone else takes care of the baby, men are actively involved in this new journey.

Conclusion

In sharing these new perspectives, I do not intend to ignore the silent suffering of many women. Instead, I am trying to look at this new wind that’s slowly but surely taking over our generation. By sharing this out there, I am also sincerely requesting everyone to be more open and broad-minded with pregnancy. It is difficult for women, but with these changes, women across the world will gain twofold strength in their pursuit of identifying their new selves.