Bundle of Joy: Improving Prenatal Well-being with Gratitude and Mindfulness

Abstract

Your feet, hands and belly are swollen. Your back is sore and there is almost constant pressure on your bladder. At times you feel absolutely exhausted. That’s right, you’re pregnant. Your body is doing amazing things; your baby is growing and wriggling about. You are filled with a new sense of expectancy and love, but you have also realised something. Pregnancy is not quite the 9 months of joy and wonder you thought it would be. You can deal with the physical complaints because you believe that they happen to everyone. The stress and sadness you are feeling is quite another thing. At times you feel like crying or giving up. There are many possible reasons for this. Maybe it is because your life has changed more than you are comfortable with. You may receive little or no help and support from your family, or your partner shows little interest ...