Mind and Body

The first two and a half months were tough. I had to break my exercise routine because I had some bleeding, and even though it was light, it was still worrisome.

My mom kept reminding me that my pregnancy is “high risk” because I’m over 35. The doctors (because I went to several) didn’t leave me completely at ease, and I ended up feeling guilty and afraid of losing Luka—yes, he already has a name!—for not staying still and in bed as my mom and some aunts suggested.

I also wasn’t sure where I wanted to give birth. My partner, Luka’s father, lives in the U.S. and suggested it might be a good idea for the baby to be born there. But in the end, I chose the comfort of having my support network close—my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. So I continued researching doctors in Torreón who take a humanized approach to childbirth, and I finally connected with a doctor I liked. By the way, I recommend reading a book called Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. It contains many stories of women who gave birth naturally, and it brings peace to imagine that moment as something magical rather than painful.

I was even interested in finding a hospital where women are allowed to give birth standing or squatting, using appropriate support equipment, to make labor easier through gravity. Apparently, only in Monterrey and Mexico City are there hospitals with such delivery rooms.

It really surprised me to learn that the current method of giving birth (lying down in a bed) was introduced by King Louis XIV, who, out of curiosity—or maybe voyeurism—wanted to watch his wife give birth. Since then, that position became the norm.

I’ve tried to stay calm mentally, though sometimes office issues keep me up at night, cause frustration, and even bring me to tears. You’ve probably heard of “happy problems” before—it’s what people say to cheer you up when you’re feeling down. And maybe it’s true. Achievements come at a price and bring great responsibilities. If you don’t have problems, it probably means you’re not doing anything.

Four weeks ago, I started taking prenatal yoga classes. At the end of each session, we spend at least 10 minutes meditating and breathing. Most of the time, I struggle to leave work outside the classroom. Unfortunately, I think about the unresolved issues, missed calls, and lost sales. I consider myself an optimistic person... So what’s going on with me now?

Today I challenge myself to think about the things that went well—the warm calls, the satisfied clients, the closed deals, and how valuable the people who support me at work are. But above all, I challenge myself to be present here and now, taking things one step at a time.

One day at a time