Hello everyone, I am in a child development class and I have an assignment where I have to interview a pregnant woman. I am 8 months pregnant myself, however my instructor knows this and it would be unethical for me to interview myself, but I dont know any other pregnant women. So if any of you are willing to answer my interview questions it would really help me out with my assignment (-: Feel free to be detailed in your answers!! Thank you sooo much ladies!
1.When did you first suspect you were pregnant and what made you suspect you might be pregnant? Describe what steps you took to make sure you were pregnant.
2.Describe your feelings when your pregnancy was confirmed. Describe any new emotions you have felt during your pregnancy.
3.Describe how the prospect of being a parent changed your sense of identity. What new responsibilities do you have as an expectant parent and how do you feel about these responsibilities?
4.Describe the kinds of changes you made in your lifestyle when your pregnancy was suspected or confirmed.
5.Describe two things that have been the most exciting aspect of this pregnancy.
6.Describe what has been the most worrisome aspect of this pregnancy.
7.Describe any preparations you have made for this baby (books, classes, doctor appointments etc).
8.If this is your first child, in what ways do you think your life will change after the baby鈥檚 birth? If you have other children, how have you prepared the sibling(s) for the new baby?
9.Who has given you the most advice or has been the most helpful during this pregnancy? In what ways have they helped you?
10. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Pregnant woman I could really use your help!!!!?
1.When did you first suspect you were pregnant and what made you suspect you might be pregnant? Describe what steps you took to make sure you were pregnant.
-You are going to think I am crazy, but with my second I had a hunch that I was pregnant because I was paranoid I was leaving the stove on and the door unlocked. I would drive home to check them, it must have been nerves. I thought it would be impossible for me to be pregnant and I remember with my first during my whole pregnancy I would wake up in the middle of the night and check the stove and door, so it got me thinking..when was my last period? Low and behold I was 6 wks by the time I realized. I took a home pregnancy test, it was positive. I went to my OB, they did a urine test and it was positive. The next day I went in for an ultrasound and the little teeny heartbeat was there :) With my first I had horrible heartburn, so bad I couldn't sleep.
2.Describe your feelings when your pregnancy was confirmed. Describe any new emotions you have felt during your pregnancy.
-With my first pregnancy I kinda expected it, but my reaction to the urine test was halarious. I saw the 2 stripes, I put the test on top of the toilet and I was in such shock that I couldn't even hear the toilet flushing. My face turned bright red and I felt dizzy. With my second, I was just in denial. There was no way I was pregnant, lol, I took ever precaution I could think of and when the test said positive, I had to take 2 more, and go to the dr to confirm.
I am now 7wks and I am always feeling like my husband doesn't give me attention when he reallllly does. lol I am just a spazz
3.Describe how the prospect of being a parent changed your sense of identity. What new responsibilities do you have as an expectant parent and how do you feel about these responsibilities?
-Well I no longer drink or smoke. I stopped everything the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first, I don't like hanging out with my friends as much because they are always wanting to party and do things I am absolutly not interested in while I'm pregnant and won't be after birth. I feel like I have a lot to live up to, having another life being my responsibility, but I am sooo excited for my second birth, as unexpected as it is!
4.Describe the kinds of changes you made in your lifestyle when your pregnancy was suspected or confirmed.
-Like I said before, I quit drinking, going out, smoking, hanging out with the same crowd.
5.Describe two things that have been the most exciting aspect of this pregnancy.
-Baby bumps and movements!
6.Describe what has been the most worrisome aspect of this pregnancy.
-I am always nervous, every time I have a cramp I worry there could be something wrong with my baby. Everytime I go in for an ultrasound I'm terrifyed the are going to find something wrong. Whenever they look for the heartbeat I'm always worried it is beating too fast or too slow....lol I could go one fooorrreeeevvveeeerrrrr!
7.Describe any preparations you have made for this baby (books, classes, doctor appointments etc).
- Dr's appointments and I will be going to child birth education classes this time around.
8.If this is your first child, in what ways do you think your life will change after the baby鈥檚 birth? If you have other children, how have you prepared the sibling(s) for the new baby?
- I honestly haven't even thought about how I will prepare my son for the new baby. He is a momma's boy...man, it is going to be hard. I am going to buy him a little doll and teach him how to hold it and be gentle and kind towards it. We'll see how it goes, I might have to take some classes to prepare us!
9.Who has given you the most advice or has been the most helpful during this pregnancy? In what ways have they helped you?
-My bestfriend who has been through it! I call her every time I feel the slightest bit of anything, making sure it is normal. This is my second pregnancy and I feel like everything I knew from the first has flown out the window.. I don't know what I would do without her!
10. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think that about covers...everything!
Good Luck on your paper!
Pregnant woman I could really use your help!!!!?
1.When did you first suspect you were pregnant and what made you suspect you might be pregnant? Describe what steps you took to make sure you were pregnant.
--I was 4 days late with my period, had really sore nipples and raging heartburn. I knew the month before that there was a very slim chance I may not have used the spermicide correctly, because I was drunk when hubby and I had sex. I was about to celebrate my birthday with a bottle of booze and decided to get the cheapest pregnancy test, just in case I might be preggo (I wouldn't drink if I was preggo). I took the test, it was positive. I took 3 more expensive home tests, and all were positive.
2.Describe your feelings when your pregnancy was confirmed. Describe any new emotions you have felt during your pregnancy.
--My first thought was %26quot;No way%26quot;--total denial. Then, %26quot;really? wow...I never thought it could happen%26quot; (because I was told not 2 months earlier that I would have difficulty conceiving. Then, it was anxiety over what my hubby would think because we had not planned to have kids for another couple years. He reacted poorly to it and didn't speak to me for 3 days. I was upset about his reaction, but almost immediately after I found out I started getting excited. Now that I'm 15w5d, I'm ecstatic...and so is he :)
3.Describe how the prospect of being a parent changed your sense of identity. What new responsibilities do you have as an expectant parent and how do you feel about these responsibilities?
-- I don't think it's really sunk in yet. I feel overwhelmed at the responsibility of taking sole care of another human being. I'm responsible for feeding, clothing, sheltering, nurturing, and educating this child. While the prospect is tremendous, I'm also excited to show this child the world, teach about our beliefs, guide him in discovering his own beliefs, and helping him reach his potential.
4.Describe the kinds of changes you made in your lifestyle when your pregnancy was suspected or confirmed.
--I immediately started eating better--more fruits and veggies, eating frequent small meals instead of large meals or skipping meals. I kept a journal for a while until I got into a rhythm. I exercise regularly now. I started taking prenatal vitamins instead of my mega vitamin.
5.Describe two things that have been the most exciting aspect of this pregnancy.
--Seeing my little one's heart beat and kicking/waving around on the ultrasound. Having my husband get excited with me about having a child.
6.Describe what has been the most worrisome aspect of this pregnancy.
--My health concern with higher blood pressure and obesity.
7.Describe any preparations you have made for this baby (books, classes, doctor appointments etc).
--I have read What to expect when you're expecting. And I've read The official Lamaze guide: giving birth with confidence. I've looked up live birth and home birth on you tube and other websites (I'm planning a home birth). I've received prenatal care from my midwife with 2 appointments so far. I've looked up the Bradley method and may take those classes as I get further along.
8.If this is your first child, in what ways do you think your life will change after the baby鈥檚 birth? If you have other children, how have you prepared the sibling(s) for the new baby?
--This is my first child. I think I'm going to have to be more organized and time savvy. I need to clean my house on a regular schedule and plan menus, instead of doing things on the fly. My husband is going to have to take more care of himself since I'm going to be busy nursing and caring for the baby all day.
9.Who has given you the most advice or has been the most helpful during this pregnancy? In what ways have they helped you?
--My own research online has been the greatest comfort to me. I particularly loved The Business of Being Born, a video documentary by Ricki Lake. I've had good talks with my midwife and a good friend who just had her 3rd baby, but I already knew about what they told me from my research. I've seen many different methods of birthing on videos, read birth stories, taken medical classes on childbirth (I'm an EMT, so it was part of my regular training). All of these resources have quelled many of my anxieties and boosted my confidence.
10. Is there anything else you would like to add? You may want to ask about what birth method women choose. For example, I'm having a home birth with a midwife. Others may choose the hospital or birth center with a doctor or midwife, or maybe a free birth at home with no assistance....it'd be interesting to know and see if their views are different. Also, pain management, what interventions are women ok with? I'm going natural--no meds, no IVs, nothing, unless medically necessary...others may be ok with some things over others.
Tara, 29 years old
