Congratulations on your new bean! Weather you conceived on purpose or accidentally, you chose to keep your bean and fight for them. You are now that little bean’s advocate until they grow up and are able to speak for themself. All situations are different. Just like every child. You cannot measure your own to somebody else’s. Because chances are what worked for them may not work for you. Everybody will have something to say about you and your baby. Some may be constructive, others may not. However the case may be, this journey will be unique. You will have good times, but its also important to note that there will be other really hard ones. If you conceived on accident, and are dealing with disappointed family and friends, you may think this is the hardest part. But that may not be true. Do not discount your peer’s opinions even though they may not be what you want to hear.

Do not think they do not care and do not love you, because chances are, they’re reacting the way they are because they love you so much, they’re very scared for you.

Don’t hold grudges. They are not productive. Allow your baby to be loved by whoever wants to give their love. Those who may be mad now will certainly love that bean once they arrive.

Don’t underestimate the responsibility you are preparing for. Motherhood is not easy and there are a lot of sacrifices we have to make for our babies. There is a lot you will need, as contrary to some people’s belief, babies do not live on just diapers and bottles.

These are just some of the many things you may face in your pregnancy. These factors may leave you feeling isolated sometimes. Pregnancy can strengthen this feeling. There is such a thing as prenatal depression. If left unnoticed or untreated, it can get way worse. Suffering from prenatal depression is not shameful. It’s REAL. Our circumstance may not always help with the general pressures of pregnancy and motherhood. I wish somebody had told me about this so I could have identified it early on, and not when it got really really bad. I too also felt ashamed and felt that people were gonna think i was a misfit mother because I am young and am struggling with prenatal depression. Trust me. It will not go away on it’s own. I can no longer fully control my emotions or my thoughts sometimes. It is not talked about as much as it should. I am here to tell ANYONE out there struggling with prenatal depression to recognize the signs and get help. The earlier you get help, the easier it will be to get better. Do not believe the negative thoughts that try to make you think you cannot get help and you cannot do this.

Sincerely and with love,

A struggling young mom to be.