I Want To Have a Baby

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Institution

I Want To Have a Baby

Part 1: Pre-Natal Plan

Interactive Birth Plan

A birth plan provides instructions to the health providers and others on the manner one would like to be handled after going into labor. The birth plan aims to prepare expectant mothers for the physical and emotional aspects of the birth process. It is a way of planning ahead on how one would like situations dealt with in moments where emotions and tension are high (Kaufan, 2007). When having my baby, I opt for the natural virginal birth unless there are complications requiring the use of caesarean method. In the instance where a caesarean section will be done, I would like to be awake and my husband should be available. I would like to have some cool music play in the background. I prefer my baby to stay with me after birth and during my stay at the health facility. I prefer to avoid any form of pain medications and would appreciate support on non-medical measures to manage pain. My husband should be alongside me during the birth process to offer me emotional support

Fetal Health

The health of the fetus is dependent on the behaviors of the mother. A woman’s behavior may create conflict of interest between the mother and the fetus. The environment in which the fetus is developed determines their physical conditions upon birth (Smith, n.d). Upon becoming pregnant I changed some of by practices to facilitate the normal growth and development of the fetus. I reduced my intake of salient substances such as too much coffee that may create differential effects on the fetus. During my pregnancy I quit taking any form of alcoholic drinks in an effort to prevent fetal alcoholic syndrome. I also undertook regular exercises. Being a sports enthusiast with an appetite for challenging courses, I had to tone it down during my pregnancy and stick to basic exercises. I ensured that I avoided working in workplaces with exposure to hazardous chemicals. During my pregnancy I made it clear to my friends who smoked that I preferred them not smoke in my presence to prevent affecting the fetus through passive smoking. Most of all, I changed my diet to ensure a balanced diet that provided the essential elements for fetal development. Before my pregnancy, I used to take fast foods and snacks with no consideration to the nutritional value. This was a trend that I changed upon advice during my clinic visits.

Part 2: Decisions

A good parent should be responsible enough to oversee the healthy growth and development of their child. S/he should be a role model for the child to copy proper behaviors. As a parent, the child acts as his/her reflection and, therefore, a good parent should portray a good picture. A good parent ought to be caring and concerned about the welfare of the child. They should be observant enough not notice a change is the health or behavioral condition of the child. A good parent creates unlimited time to spend with their child for bonding and also as an opportunity to understand and guide them. S/he knows how to discipline their child to straighten their behaviors. A parent of worthy qualities should give their kids space for personal development and creativity but within the moral limits.

Having spent some time as a volunteer working with kids, the experience I gained in relating with children will play a big role in turning me to a successful parent. My attention to details will surely help me in observing the growth and development of my child and in the identification of any event that warrants further action. Having attended some parenting seminars, I got enlightened on elements of being a successful parent. I firmly believe in availing time for my loved ones, and for this case, I will create a lot of time to spend with my child. No parent can claim to be a successful parent if they fail to show love to the child. My loving nature will surely help me in ensuring a strong bond between the child and me.

Being a good parent requires a lot of sacrifices. Being an executive at my company, the call of duty may interfere with my efforts of being a good parent. Being manager, the tendency to micromanage the growth and development of my child may limit the development of their unique talents and abilities. 

As a parent, I recognize my responsibility of facilitating a holistic child development. To facilitate cognitive development, I will provide the child with some mind stimulating games such as jig-saw puzzles. The child needs to learn how to analyze situations and relate to the environment. I will enhance language development through songs and having repetitive talks. To promote the child’s creativity, I will provide them with enough space for them to express themselves though art, coloring, songs and games. The attachment between the parent and the child can be achieved by spending quality time together and doing some activities as a team. The child should also be allowed to contribute to the decoration of their rooms.

It very true that having a child involves sacrifice. There is need to avail financial resources to support the upbringing of the child. One is required to sacrifice a lot of time to be with their child. There is no price of time, as a parent one needs to be there. Being a new parent, one is supposed to shift the focus from friends to their newest member of the family. As a parent one cannot continue to engage in extreme leisure activities like partying all weekends and taking road trips. Those things have to go, or at least be toned down.

The development of synchrony with the baby entails a coordinated interaction between the infant and the parent. The parent-child relationship has been connected to good child development results with respect to the social, emotional, and cognitive aspects. Interaction with the child occur at three levels: behavioral, affective, and fantasy  (Leclere, et al., 2014). To develop synchrony with my child, I intend to spend quality time with him/her. This will be achieved by learning each other’s behaviors and forms of communication. This will yield to a coordinated interaction. I intend to use intense but playful interaction where we both learn to understand one another’s behaviors and interaction rhythm.

I intend to ensure that my child gets to a future where his/her dreams will be achieved, a future that will allow them to exploit their potential to the fullest, and where opportunities are available. I hope for the future of my child where they will have enough resources to cater for their needs. Urie Bronfenbrenner indicates that a child’s development is largely affected by the environment where they are brought up. The ecological system theory considers levels of the environment – micro, meso, exo, and macro systems. The microsystem relates to the small and immediate environment where the child lives. This relates to the neighborhood and school attended. The mesosystem describes how various components of the microsystem collaborate for the good of the child. On this level, I will endeavor to be a part of the schooling activities and ensure I offer my support through attendance. The exosystem relates to other people and places with a large effect on the child. It may include the parents’ economic position. The macro system is the largest and involves national issues, culture, and the general economy (Oswalt, 2008).

The average cost of raising a child up to the age of 18 year is approximately $245,430 as of 2013, which may be adjusted for inflation to $ 304,480 for a middle income class with annual income ranging between $61530 and $ 106540. The annual cost considered factors such as the child’s age, family income, and location. The expenses included in the cost include housing expenses at $73600 equivalent to 30%. Childcare accounted for 18% while food took a portion of 16% (Thomas, 2014).

Part 3: Letter to the Unborn Child

My dear child,

I am really grateful to be a mother to the adorable child you are. I have always loved having kids in my home. To me it’s a perfect way of having a complete family and a reminder of the continuity of life. My child, I promise that I will be a great mum. You will be my priority. I will strive to ensure that you my child grow in the most enabling environment. I assure you that I will spend quality time with you. You will be my best friend. Parent-child interaction is a great way to achieve synchrony. We will play together, do chores as team, sing together, dance and I will read you bedtime stories.

Discipline my child will be paramount. We will set rules to be obeyed. Discipline and moral standards go hand in hand. I will ensure that you turn out to be a morally upright child and your conscience will always tell you what is right or wrong. My child, only a fool hates to be corrected. I will train you to use the opportunities available to you to develop yourself. Be the best version of yourself. In the future, you too will be a parent. Remember to teach your kids good ways to abide to that by that they may be morally upright. Give them room for development and, most of all, be their best friend. 

My child, you’re a star in my life lighting up my sky.

References

Kaufman, T. (2007). Evolution of Birth Plan. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 47-52.

Leclere, C., Viaux, S., Avril, M., Archard, C., Chetouani, M., Missonnier, S., & Cohen, D. (2014). Why Synchrony Matter during Mother-Child Interactions. PLOS.

Smith, H. (n.d.). Fetal-Maternal Conflicts. Retrieved from fas-philosophy.rutgers.edu/hsmith/…/Fetal-Maternal_Conflicts.pdf