To the friend of a pregnant woman...

Normally I write to the preggies themselves, 

but today I wanted to talk to YOU, the friend of a preggie!

The topic I want to shed some light on is "Due Dates".

The #1 question a woman is asked for the entirety of  9 months is "When are you due?"...multiple times a day...from friends, loved ones, neighbors, every 3rd person they see at a grocery store, the bank teller, someone's pet parrot-->

And then those same people ask AGAIN, towards the end of the pregnancy - they cant seem to remember, which is understandable...they aren't the one having the baby....but the pregnant woman remembers...and in her head she's saying "Really? I have to tell you AGAIN! UGHHH"

After a while a due date can start to feel like a deadline.

Deadlines = pressure

pressure = unhappy/stressed preggie

For the friend of a pregnant woman who has chosen to trust Gods timing, and has decided not to induce (unless medically necessary), this post is even more important for you to read. Waiting is not necessarily an easy task in this day and age. She is relying on you to support her, lift her up and encourage her.

2 ways you can help her & encourage her:
1. Literally tell her you are proud of her and that she can do it!

2. Don't make too big a deal of the due date....
ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE END OF HER PREGNANCY....
Its only an estimate.

There are so many factors, it can be off by weeks even!

I have a sweet little 6 month old now, but I remember very vividly that physically and

mentally those last few weeks of pregnancy are brutal.

The last thing a pregnant woman needs is constant check ups, via text, social media or through relatives..

"No baby yet?"

"when are you going to induce?"

Don't be that person.
 (I dont care how good of friends you are)

As the March of Dimes says "Healthy Babies are worth the wait!"

The brain, heart, lungs, and immune system all mature at different rates — and some may need a little more time than others.

Courtesy of March of Dimes

So be a good friend to the Mama to be..

And Mama's, it is very hard to do at the end, but sit tight
and know your baby will come will its ready! YOU CAN DO IT!

****If you start to worry, there are options to make sure your baby is fine.  Talk to your Doctor or Midwife, I know some suggest an ultrasound to make sure all is well.

Mama's feel free to comment on how you feel about this,
 and if I've left off anything!