Maternity photographer explains how capture Every Moment of Motherhood whilst pregnant and once the baby arrives.
Photo: Pregnancy & First Year Journal. FROM YOU TO ME
"Cherish this time, babies grow up so fast".
If you’ve had children before, you know how quickly time can pass. Before long there can be many moments that pass which if not documented could be lost forever. Fortunately, you can ensure that every magical moment is documented by keeping a pregnancy journal.
Why Is It Important to Keep a Pregnancy Journal?
There are many reasons why expecting mothers decide to keep a journal. For some, it allows them to create some strong memories that can be enjoyed in the future. For others, it can act as a guide when having children in the future. As such, keeping a journal can help in several ways, and you can have a lot of fun creating one along the way.
The following is an overview of some of the benefits of keeping a pregnancy journal and what should be included when recording your journey to motherhood.
A Journal Can Help Create a Special Bond With Your Child
Photo: Pregnancy Planner Journal. Loved By Jacob on Etsy
When you have a thought wish for your child, you may think you will remember it, but with so much emotion and excitement doing the rounds, you could find that some of your previous thoughts are forgotten.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case when keeping a baby journal. Recording the hopes and dreams you have for your child allows for some emotional bonding moments in the future.
Helps Relieve Stress At Your Own Pace
When keeping a journal it shouldn’t be considered a task, but rather something that is comforting and helps you find peace during stressful times. Although many mothers may have similar experiences during motherhood, each journey is unique, and taking your time to collect your thoughts on paper can provide a release regarding stress.
Become More Efficient
Photo: Pregnancy Planner Journal. Blush and Gold
Becoming pregnant often means making a series of changes to your schedule and lifestyle, and there are times it can become overwhelming. Keeping a journal is the perfect way of ensuring you become more efficient during more challenging times.
As updating your pregnancy journal is an enjoyable experience it will become more habitual, making you more efficient in the process.
Achieve Goals Easily
There will be many instances when you feel like you’re not achieving your goals, especially during your pregnancy. Documenting your goals in a pregnancy journal ensures that you have a visual reminder of what you want to achieve. If you’re finding some goals difficult to attain, then why not break tasks down over a series of days?
Keep Track of Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can be difficult to avoid, but some types of food can worsen the condition. Everyone has different reactions, so documenting when you’re at your worst can be an effective way of reducing morning sickness over time.
What Information Should I Include In My Pregnancy Journal?
Photo: Pregnancy Planner Journal. Martha Brook on Etsy
If you’ve never kept a journal before, you may be unsure where to start when creating one for the first time. The truth is a journal can be tailored to your tastes and needs. If you’re searching for some information then why not include the following sections in your pregnancy journal?
Plenty of Pregnancy Photographs
One of the most important aspects of a pregnancy journal is plenty of pictures. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for you to take your own pictures, but those wanting to document the glow of pregnancy or the joy of a new arrival should enlist the services of a professional newborn and maternity photographer in Bridgend.
If you want to add more professional photographs following the arrival of your bundle of joy, then why not consider a family portrait or a sibling shoot that captures the bond between your children?
Pregnancy Milestones
Photo: Pregnancy Planner Journal. Blush and Gold
What are considered milestones can vary from parent to parent, but it often contains times you felt the baby kick and your first ultrasound. Tracking these milestones in a journal allows you to reflect on your journey and ensure you capture every moment of your pregnancy.
If you’re keen to add to the journal once the baby has arrived, then there are plenty of opportunities to add additional milestones. Examples include the first time your baby rolls over, takes their first steps and utters their first words.
Pregnancy Cravings
Many mothers look back in fondness at some of their hilarious cravings during their pregnancy. Keeping a journal ensures that you capture every detail of these cravings, allowing for some fond memories and fantastic stories in the future.
Don’t worry about seeming strange, as there have been several strange cravings recorded in the past, including rubber bands and dog treats;
Changes In Your Body
Your body will undergo a series of changes during your pregnancy, and while some of them may be uncomfortable, they are all part of your exciting journey into motherhood. It is easy to forget how many changes the body goes through, but even the body aches and breast changes are part of your journey and should be recorded in your journal.
Feelings and Thoughts
Photo: Bump to Birthday Journal. FROM YOU TO ME
Feelings and thoughts are two of the most important aspects to document while pregnant. Everyone will have their own way of recording their feelings and emotions, but some of the key moments often include fears and hopes, plus future plans for your baby.
There can be some emotions that are distressing and worrying, but it can be worthwhile documenting these as it will show what actions you took to overcome them and allows you to paint a fuller picture of your pregnancy term.
Baby Names
Photo: Pregnancy Planner Journal. Blush and Gold
When you finally decide on a baby’s name, this doesn’t mean that there was anything wrong with the other names you consider. Keeping track of these names is a fantastic way of ensuring you document every step of your journey, and allows you some unique memories to relish in the future.
Medication
Although medication isn’t as exciting as other parts of pregnancy, it can be worthwhile keeping track of it in your pregnancy journal. The type of medication taken can depend on several factors, and there may be times when you forget when it is due. As you will be using your pregnancy journal regularly, it can be the ideal tool for keeping track of medication.
What Is The Best Type of Pregnancy Journal?
Photo: Bump to Birthday Journal. aemeyrastudio on Etsy.
When browsing the options available regarding pregnancy journals, there can be a lot of choices available. The type of journal you choose can depend on how much information you want to document. Some journals are similar to everyday diaries, while others have a similar design to scrapbooks.
The truth is the best type of pregnancy journal is one that works for you, so it can be worthwhile spending some time researching the options available. If you’re not able to find one via conventional online stores, then you may want to check the more creative options that can be found on marketplaces like Etsy.
Similarly, if you’re keen to use your smartphone as well, then you may want to browse some of the apps available that act as a digital journal. However, when wanting to preserve memories, nothing comes close to the real thing.
Sourcing Professional Maternity Photographs For a Pregnancy Journal
Professional Maternity photographs are often chosen for milestone events, including the maternity and newborn stages. Although there is a fee, working with a professional ensures you obtain beautiful photographs that can be used for journals, as well as looking fabulous when displayed in the home.
If you want to ensure you retain every step of your baby’s journey, then why not get in touch to discuss your requirements in more detail?
With nearly 20 years of experience taking professional photographs, and all of them being mums to be and newborn, I know how to ensure every detail is captured during your pregnancy photo session, and ensuring your baby remains safe, comfortable and calm at a newborn and baby photoshoot.
I can also offer family portraits to ensure all the magical moments in your life are captured perfectly. If you’re keen to start documenting your pregnancy using awe-inspiring photographs, then why not get in touch to discuss your ideas in more detail?
Did I leave anything out?
This blog will remain open, so I would love to hear from you if have anything to add to this Pregnancy Journal blog. Pop a comment below with your suggestions or send us a personal message here
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About the South Wales Maternity Blog Author:
Adele Morris Photography is a specialist Award Winning Maternity, Newborn, and Family studio photographer based in Porthcawl in Bridgend. With nearly 20 years of professional experience working with Mums-to-be and Newborn babies, her Maternity and Newborn Photography work has been snapped up by Vogue and published Internationally.
The studio is located within easy access to clients traveling from Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff, Llanelli, Port Talbot, Newport, Neath, Carmarthenshire, and all over South Wales.
To find out more about the author, visit the about me page to find out more about Adele Morris Photography.
Adele Morris Photography
Specialist Maternity, Newborn, baby, and Family studio photographer.
Serving Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff, Llanelli, Port Talbot, Newport, Neath, Pyle, Llantrisant, Carmarthenshire, Porthcawl and all over South Wales.