Bonding with Baby During Pregnancy
by Elizabeth Geiger

By nature, mothers are nurturers. From the moment of conception, a mother's love will greatly influence her baby's journey through life. 

As babies are conceived out of love, they need to be cared for and loved. Bonding with your baby doesn't have to wait until birth. Mothers can bond with their baby throughout their pregnancy.

Babies need to have their most basic needs met. From their mothers' body they receive the nourishment needed to grow and thrive outside the womb. Mothers must establish a healthy pregnancy lifestyle to make sure their baby is getting all he needs to be healthy at birth. This means having routine prenatal visits to your doctor or midwife, eating a healthy diet, and establishing a routine exercise program.

Mothers can connect with their unborn baby through touch and relaxation. When a woman massages her belly using both hands, hormones are released which relax the uterus. This in turn calms and relaxes the baby. This is one of the examples of baby "knows" how you are feeling. Try to be relaxed during pregnancy. Take time to pamper yourself. This will let your baby know that everything is alright, and that he is safe and secure.

Women tend to daydream about their babies during pregnancy. I like to call it meditation for connecting with baby. While sitting peacefully, and daydreaming about her baby, a woman almost creates a telepathic connection. This is how I felt while pregnant with my first daughter. We were making a mother-child bond. I would concentrate really hard on my baby. I would try to image her inside me; what she was doing, what she was thinking. She would then reward me with a kick, or a squirm to let me know she was alright. I can't think of a more nurturing way to connect than through meditating or daydreaming.

Mothers can also connect with their baby through music. Babies like the rhythmic sounds of music, (like a heartbeat, or breathing), as it is very calming. If you put a tape player with headphones on your belly while lying down, and play a lullaby or classical music, most babies, in the third trimester, will respond by kicking or moving. A baby will also respond to his mother's voice, whether you are humming or singing, your baby can hear you and knows you are with him.

Mothers and Fathers can both bond with their baby by nurturing their own relationship. After all, the baby was conceived out of love, and needs to feel that love throughout pregnancy and life. Continue dating your partner throughout pregnancy. Laugh with each other and don't be afraid to make love. Most women are able to have sexual relations throughout pregnancy, but check with your doctor first to make sure you are not considered as having a "high risk" pregnancy. Nurturing your own relationship will ensure your baby will be born feeling loved and nurtured. The time you share together now will also help your relationship later when you face the many challenges as new parents. As a couple, you will enter into parenthood with open arms for your baby.

Elizabeth Geiger is a stay at home mother of two children. She is also the Editor and Founder of The Baby Corner (http://www.thebabycorner.com ) and mommycorner.com (http://www.mommycorner.com), which she runs out of her home with her husband Scott. Together they enjoy spending time together as a family, cooking, and offering advice and support for new moms and dads.

Related Articles:

Chilling Out
12 ways to take care of yourself during pregnancy

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health
After practicing dental hygiene for twelve years, I came to realize how many pregnant women were concerned about the old adages surrounding their oral health.

Exercising During Pregnancy
I finally decided what it came down to was trusting myself and paying attention to my body, while staying in strict communication with my midwife.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms
Women go through many changes during pregnancy both physically and emotionally. This article discusses some common symptoms and how you can make yourself more comfortable during these nine months of pregnancy.