This might grate on your nerves, but it is time to stop being proud. When you were just you it is highly likely that you were perfectly capable of taking care of your every need. Now you are responsible for the development and safety of another. It is time to let people help you. Sadly, pregnancy is not something that women were meant to go through alone. You are going to need to ask for help, whether it is for someone to please bring you some water when you’re dealing with morning sickness or someone to drive you to the doctor when it is time to give birth. You are not a burden. People are going to want to help you. Let them. Obviously this is easier to read than it is to do, but you need to work on it. You’ll need people even more after you give birth. Get used to asking for help now.
Find a support system of other pregnant women. Single parent pregnancy is often very lonely. This is because, often, the pregnant woman is the only one in her social circle who is both pregnant and single. This can make it difficult for you to feel like you fit in with your current circle of friends (who all mean well, of course). Your doctor’s office, local community groups and churches are all great places to find other women who are pregnant and single that you can talk to. Having someone to talk to who is in your same situation can do quite a bit for your confidence and your emotional well being.
Develop a plan for giving birth. Find a birthing partner early and then line up several backups. Unfortunately, even when you are partnered up in marriage or another committed relationship there is no guarantee that your ideal plan will be able to be followed to the letter. Deviations from the plan can cause lots of extra stress during the delivery process. Talk to your doctor and each birthing partner about what you want to have happen and all of the things that could happen. Make sure to talk even about the scenarios that you might find scary. Knowing about things before they pop up will help you stay calm.
Above all else, take care of yourself. There is no such thing as a prize for the best single parent pregnancy. Do what you need to do to keep yourself healthy and happy. Be with your friends and family. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Looking for single parenting advice?
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