This may not be how you imagined things to be. That being said, the most important thing to do when pregnant is to focus on your health and the health of your baby. Going through a divorce is a stressful process alone and you need to be mindful of managing your stress. For this reason, it is crucial to focus on your physical and mental health and not work yourself too hard. Therefore, here are a few things to keep in mind when navigating divorce while pregnant.
1. Train yourself to live guilt free
This is the most important thing to keep in mind during your pregnancy. It can be easy to feel guilty for having a baby with a divorce pending because that child will inevitably have two separate homes from the start, which is often not the intention of parents when they decide to have a baby. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that just because the baby has two homes does not mean there will be any less love. Your baby, despite being born during a separation or divorce, will still have two loving parents who will do anything for them. That is what’s most important.
2. Lean on the people who care about you
Although it can be difficult to rely on others after depending on your partner for some time, your close friends and family are there to help you; this is when you need them most. It is common for friends and family to try and help a mother through their pregnancy, and it is also common for these same people to help when you are going through a divorce. Your close ones will be there to support you while going through these major life changes. If they are offering their help, do not hesitate to accept; they are there to help. It is important to remember that although one major relationship in your life is changing, you still have other strong relationships with people that care about you.
Also Read: Coping Tips for Divorce or Separation
3. Avoid feeling like a burden
It is common when you ask for help to feel like a burden, but that is never the case. Your loved ones are there to help and support you, same as you have done for them in the past. If someone is not available, they will let you know. Never feel bad for asking for help when you need it! Having a baby and going through a separation or divorce is extremely difficult and your close friends and family will be sympathetic to that fact. So, just ask! Worst case, they say no, best case, they say yes! Never feel bad for reaching out when you need help.
4. Therapy should not be avoided!
Despite being lucky to have friends and family to lean on, it is also important to get help from a professional who is familiar with your situation. Going to therapy will allow you to process your emotions in an appropriate and healthy way and will prevent you from making hasty decisions with respect to your life and that of your baby. It is critical to have a healthy mindset throughout your pregnancy and to calmly find solutions before the baby arrives so that you can focus on your time together. Psychologists and therapists are great assets during this time in your life and are strongly recommended in order to make the best decisions for your future.
As for the parent who is going through a divorce process with their partner who is pregnant, although the separation is difficult, it is important to remember that your partner is under an overwhelming amount of stress. For this reason, pick your battles and be respectful as you still care for your partner since they are the mother of your child.
Overall, the main takeaway is that both having a baby and going through a separation or divorce are two major life changes that can cause severe emotional stress if not handled appropriately. It is important to remember that there are many resources available to you (both online and in your relationships) that would positively impact the outcome of both your situations.
