One of the most important things you can do on your way to motherhood is communicate. Why is communication so important? Communication is an act of connection and is a great way to empower you.
Connecting via communication with yourself, your partner, your future child, healthcare professionals, as well as friends and family is not only a way to convey information between one person and another, it’s a great way to learn about yourself and others and get on the same page about your family plans.
Communication with yourself is a skill I encourage you to hone on your way to motherhood. This often includes taking time to slow down and turn inward, to get to know whom you truly are. One exercise to help you learn more about you is to look at your personal core values. Perhaps they include determination, challenge, achievement and leadership? Or maybe they include spirituality, inner harmony, compassion and honesty. Whatever your personal core values are, I urge you to get to know them, as these core values are attributes that shape who you are and that you will undoubtedly pass on to your child in one way or another.
Communication with your partner may seem obvious when you want to bring in a child, but it is not always easy. It’s about building a solid foundation for your family. A lot of people want to jumpstart a family when things in a relationship need tending to. I encourage you to do what you can to make respectful communication with your partner a priority. One helpful resource for respectful communication is called non-violent communication. You can learn more about that here.
Communication with your future child is another important component in family planning. Opening up to the idea of communicating with your future child is the first step. People often communicate with their child in-utero; I say, “Why wait?” Open up those lines of communication before conception so that you can connect with your future child as early as possible. Some ways to open up these lines of communication include writing a letter to your future child, visualize having a conversation with your future child and asking your future child to visit you in your dreams.
Communication with doctors, midwives and other health professionals is another area to be mindful of. I encourage you to give yourself permission to create your family the way that you want. What feels right for you? If the doctor or midwife is telling you something but not connecting with you, give yourself permission to speak up about it. If you don’t feel heard or appreciated by the medical professional, it might be time to find a different care provider. It’s always important for you to feel safe, comfortable and empowered with healthcare providers.
Communication with family and friends can be another important factor on your road to motherhood. Depending on where you are on your road, you might choose to share certain details about your fertility journey with those you love and care about. I encourage you to find folks that you feel comfortable confiding in and who are good listeners, those who are able to hold a non-judgmental attitude towards your journey. Being able to talk about your journey with trusted people can be amazingly helpful.
Communication is a powerful component of the fertility journey. What have you learned about communication on your way to motherhood? Share your experience below.
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