How to Prepare for Motherhood During Your Pregnancy
Preparing for Your First Baby
While You’re Pregnant
Meet Lauren and Joe! We had such a fun maternity session together full of so much excitement. I’m thrilled to announce that since our time together, Lauren has given birth to their first child Lorenzo. We can’t wait for lock downs to lift to get some baby photos of their new cutie!
Preparing for motherhood isn’t one neat and tidy transition. It’s the entire rearrangement of your life in stages, over weeks, months and then years. But you can begin your preparation early. Having had four pregnancies myself, I found my maternity seasons an especially magical time to prepare my heart, body and soul (and my house!) for motherhood. Let’s talk about how you can let your pregnancy teach you and guide you smoothly into motherhood.
What is Your Pregnancy Story?
A positive pregnancy test. Tears of joy. Telling your partner. Buying cute maternity clothes and baby sleepers. Throwing up your breakfast. Nine months later you have a baby. That’s the story we’re told and sold.
Sometimes it’s true, I suppose. Or parts of it are true.
And other times we experience a very different story of pregnancy …
Standing in Shoppers Drug Mart about to have a meltdown over which brand of pregnancy tests is most reliable. Feeling confused because you’re not experiencing any pregnancy symptoms. Sometimes waking up with heartburn in the middle of the night and simultaneously needing french fries. Everyone – and I mean everyone – having a comment about your pregnant body. “You don’t look pregnant at all” or “Are you sure there aren’t twins in there?”
And then sometimes there are twins in there. Sometimes the baby bump doesn’t show up as quickly as we want it to, or maybe it isn’t as round as we thought it would be. And yet it feels like our bra size goes up every week. And then our bellies finally grow, and we can’t shave our legs on our own or even tie up our shoelaces. Our ankles swell up and that pregnant glow feels like a burning fire that makes us sweat morning to night - and then all through the night.
And we’re still thinking about those french fries. SOMEBODY. GET. ME. SOME. FRENCH. FRIES.
And there are a million decisions hurtled our way:
How does maternity leave work?
Should we look into paternity leave?
When should I tell work about my pregnancy?
What food should I eat? What food shouldn’t I eat?
When should we announce our pregnancy on social media?
And wait, do we want to announce it on social media?
Should we have a home birth or a hospital birth?
Who do we want at the birth?
Should we use cloth diapers or disposable diapers?
So. Many. Questions.
Oof. It doesn’t take long for us to realize that none of us were properly prepared for all this (even when our Family Studies teachers let us take home those robot babies in grade 11).
What Pregnancy Can Teach You:
This is the first time you’re going to realize that the entire experience of motherhood is going to shake up the way you saw your life. It will rock. your. world. … in the most amazing ways.
During your pregnancy, let each new experience teach you about:
How to care for yourself in new, loving ways
How to stay calm and breathe in overwhelming situations
How to be okay with not knowing every answer
How to ask for help and lean on a community
How to start writing your own story, the way you want, without comparing yourself to others
All of these lessons will come up during your pregnancy and will become even more important once your baby arrives and grows up.
How I Can Support You Along Your Motherhood Journey:
Pregnancy and motherhood can often feel like foreign territory for a lot of women. It’s exciting, but so new. Which is why I have set up my business in a way that revolves around serving all mamas. I am now deeply in love (and well acquainted) with the motherhood journey, in all its exquisite pain and glory. It is my life’s work to document your unique family story in photos starting with a maternity session.
Imagine you are 32 weeks pregnant. Your baby bump is visible because, as your baby growth chart (in fruit sizes) told you, your baby is now the size of a cantaloupe (or a Napa cabbage, or a pineapple -- depending on which chart you use)! At this point, your future self has had the opportunity to learn the sex of your baby if you wanted to, you might have even thrown a gender reveal party. You’ve been to a lot of appointments with your midwife or doctor, you’ve accomplished most things on your pregnancy-to-do-list and might have started getting the nursery into shape. You’ve bought everything you need for your hospital overnight bag (Mrs. Greenway here in Grimsby has written an amazing blog about packing your hospital bag!). Now you’re starting to help your coworkers prepare for your absence at work. Your old clothes officially don’t fit and you just can’t wear those cute heels you love anymore.
Mama, it’s time for a break. You have accomplished so much these past eight months. You’ve taken care of your team at work, your home, your partner and most importantly, yourself … but can I take care of you now as you finish off your final trimester?
I want to invite you to my studio for a maternity session. I want to dress you up in gorgeous flowy clothes, and give you time and space to revel in your pregnant body. I want my professional hair stylist and makeup artist to go to your home that morning to help you get ready so you don’t have to lift a finger. I want to invite you into my calming, quiet studio so you can just be still…
… so you can focus on your baby’s kicks,
… so your husband can kiss your tummy,
… so you can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin as it pours into my natural light studio.
We’ll sit down together in your Image Reveal and choose your favourite photos from the collection. Afterward, while you’re busy decorating your nursery and baby-proofing your living room, I’ll come and install the gallery wall for you – the final touch on the home you’re making for your baby.
It has been especially beautiful walking with family’s through their very first maternity shots to their third or fourth newborn session. I’ve photographed over 100 pregnant mothers in the last 15 years, and as a mother of four myself, I have some love, encouragement and wisdom to share with you.
Preparing for Motherhood During Pregnancy:
Some pregnancies make you think you want ten more children; you’re supported, you always have an excuse to sleep more and eat more, and it feels like the whole world is happy for you. (Plus, your hair is so thick and luscious!)
And some pregnancies are long, difficult and lonely.
If there is one thing I’ve learned throughout the years, it’s that when it comes to your maternity story, no one pregnancy story is the same. Even the same woman will have different pregnancy experiences with each child.
So here is my only advice for pregnant mothers who come into my studio: love yourself through this time. You’re not “doing it wrong.” Be in love with the way you look, be in awe of the things your body is doing, surprise yourself with how much strength you have to get through the day. Show up for yourself in the ways you need during your pregnancy.
And I will be ready to show up for you too. At Reflections of Life Photography, I offer maternity photo sessions that feel luxurious and incredibly meaningful.
Quick Tips for Pregnancy Preparations
When to Book Your Maternity Session: As soon as you know you’re pregnant! To make sure we can get you in at the ideal time for maternity photos, call me at the beginning of your pregnancy to book your session. I want to schedule you in for around 32 because your baby bump will be defined enough to see in photos, but you won’t be so uncomfortable that you can’t easily move around.
Conversations to Have: During my pregnancies, I loved having conversations with my husband that focused on dreaming about what our child might be like. I love facilitating these imaginative discussions with my clients during our sessions too! Questions like: What is the one main lesson each of you wants to impart to your child as they grow up? A value? A belief? A lesson you’ve learned in life?
Journal Prompts: I love the idea of leaving little notes in your maternity photo album for your child to read one day. One of my favourite things was to write about what I already knew in my gut about my baby. I could tell a little bit about their personality already based on how much they loved to move and dance in my tummy, or what music they reacted to, or what hours of the night they were already keeping me up.
Best Products:
One of the biggest questions I hear during the first stages of pregnancy is: What is the best maternity bra? Oh ya, you can’t underestimate the power of a great maternity bra - you want something that is comfortable, functional, versatile - and still pretty! My top two recommendations are Cake Maternity and Bravado Designs.
You are going to want TWO of these Mama Robes from Canadian company OVer so you never have to go without one when one is in the washing machine! Plus, they are gorgeous colour palettes and so soft – great to have on hand if you get birth photography done, they’ll look amazing in photos.
And another important question – what are the best maternity leggings? Every mom-to-be needs a comfy pair of pants to live in. You can find comfortable, and gorgeous leggings at Blanqi - I’ve heard great things about them!
Best Books to Read:
Awakening Fertility by Heng Ou. This is actually a great (and gorgeous!) book to look through as you’re preparing to conceive. It starts you off with a great self-care mentality for the duration of your pregnancy.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Heidi Murkoff (this pregnancy-Bible is a classic for a reason! You’ll find so many answers to so many questions, symptoms and pregnancy experiences).
And I would also recommend reading a book that focuses specifically on your emotional health during this time. Perhaps consider the best-selling book, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood, by Dr. Alexandra Sacks and Dr. Catherine Birndort.
Have You Considered a Doula?
What is a doula? “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible” (- DONA International)
If you find you’re really struggling during your pregnancy to find the time to learn about your body, or maybe you’re feeling really anxious about giving birth, you might really benefit from hiring a doula to support you during your pregnancy. My good friend Kayla from True Love Birth Services in Niagara offers incredible prenatal and labour and delivery support to her couples. With help from a doula like Kayla, you can receive labour support, prenatal and postpartum education, birth trauma processing, prenatal visits and postpartum check-ins, birth pool rentals and stunning birth photography. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. I have been fortunate to be part of a growing community of women who have dedicated their life’s work to serving women, improving maternal health and wellbeing and preparing new mothers for their journey ahead.
She will help you get your birth plan together so you can feel confident and have time to think about what you want.
What you learn during pregnancy prepares you for motherhood.
What a special time pregnancy is. It’s a chance to receive abundant love and care from the people around you, in small little acts like helping you carry out your groceries and bigger ways like helping you clean the house when you’re too pregnant to bend over. It’s a time where so many people are thinking about you, praying for you and excited for you – what a beautiful vision of support! You and your loved ones are waiting in anticipation for the arrival of your baby, and that time of waiting is like none other. It’s like the magic of Christmas eve, the moments just before the door opens to your wedding aisle, the seconds when the orchestra strikes up and the curtains are about to open … all wrapped into one, multiplied by ten thousand.
“When I was pregnant, I was so huge and people on the bus would get up for me. That made me feel so precious and valued and valuable. I try to treat everyone like they’re pregnant. ”
What a special time pregnancy is. It’s a chance to receive abundant love and care from the people around you, in small little acts like helping you carry out your groceries and bigger ways like helping you clean the house when you’re too pregnant to bend over. It’s a time where so many people are thinking about you, praying for you and excited for you – what a beautiful vision of support! You and your loved ones are waiting in anticipation for the arrival of your baby, and that time of waiting is like none other. It’s like the magic of Christmas eve, the moments just before the door opens to your wedding aisle, the seconds when the orchestra strikes up and the curtains are about to open … all wrapped into one, multiplied by ten thousand.
There’s something especially powerful about these moments just before something happens and it’s true as you wait for your new baby to arrive too. That excitement in your heart shows up in your eyes and that makes for some incredible photos.
Maternity photography is a rare chance to capture the thrill you live with every day for nine months. Why? Because this time changes you forever - you literally blossom. On one hand, your heart will break a little easier, but this also makes you an open vessel for love to pour through you into other people. You will see needs quicker, and you’ll want to help other mothers out who have been where you are. What a beautiful life to model for our children! Mothers who are fierce, ambitious and courageous – and tender, loving and compassionate.
Let’s capture that in photos.
Conclusion:
I have come to believe that pregnancy has a natural way of teaching us the things we need to know for our personal motherhood journey. These lessons will be different for each of us, because our children will all require unique things from us. But at the foundation of all this, is self-care, strengthening relationships around you and choosing to see the beauty in everything.
About This Beautiful Family
It was an honour to spend time with Lauren and Joe (and their baby-to-be). They got some gorgeous shots to put on their living room walls and look back on for years to come!
Client Testimonial
”We have booked 3 photo shoots with Karen for the upcoming year! Our first shoot (maternity) was on Monday! From start to finish my partner and I both felt super comfortable. Karen and her assistant both made us feel welcome & at ease - the shoot was executed flawlessly. We are looking forward to our image reveal and other 2 photo shoots with our newborn in the upcoming months.” - Lauren Koerber
If you’re expecting a new baby, connect with me. I highly recommend that you book your portrait session in advance to save your spot. 😊
Want to shop the studio wardrobe?
Hi there, I'm Karen! I am obsessed with newborn baby yawns, giggling kids, and jumpsuits. I'm a mama of four who understands the busyness of everyday life. I've learned to love and enjoy it through lifestyle photography. I know what it’s like to look back on my children’s first years and feel like they flew by so quickly. I don’t want any other mamas to forget what their baby’s little fingers and toes looked like all curled up. My hope is that I can help you create albums and prints to serve as physical reminders of these sweet times throughout your baby’s early years. Contact me for info.
