Written By: Lalithambigai Sekar

A mother remembers the one cared during pregnancy and the one did not help in motherhood. Good or bad, she will never forget. Pregnancy is the most vulnerable period in a woman’s life, where it shapes lifelong impact on mind and body due to physical and mental stress happens during pregnancy, followed by childbirth and postpartum. The experiences during the first nine months shape mother’s view of parenting, her parenting skills, her self-esteem and her relationship with her partner followed by the family cycle for lifetime. Therefore, having an understanding and supportive hands during pregnancy offer a sense of connection, as well as emotional comfort and reassurance. The support system often influenced by the one’s personality or thought process, family culture and lifestyle, the home environment and the community.

First of all, a woman should feel safe and respected at home especially with her husband or partner, surrounded by her family, her extended family, and friends. A positive home environment and family without any judgement and expectation should become a platform for her to feel empowered, confident and safe to express herself and to stand on her ground.

The social support is an important determinant that help to reduce stress, depression and help to reduce the risk of pregnancy and after birth. The source of support mainly should be provided by the husband or partner, followed by her family members, family-in-law, neighbor, friends, antenatal support group and medical practitioners. The tree of social support has three branches, as mentioned below:

  1. Emotional Support: This kind of support is often perceived as pregnancy superpower which like having cheerleading squad, comfort blanket or therapist to lean on. Emotional support helps to reduce stress and anxiety. When the mother has someone especially her husband and family members who cares and concerns her, it is like releasing a pressure valve. This has positive effects on her physical well-being and her baby’s development.
  2. Tangible Support: The kind support that given to mothers includes providing financial assistance, material goods, household chores or practical help, and presence at appointments. By providing such kind assistance, a partner helps the mother to focus on their energy and well-being and prepare for the baby.
  3. Informational support: A kind support system that accessing reliable information about mother and baby’s health, helps the mothers and her husband to make informed decision to prepare themselves toward healthy pregnancy and to welcome their new life.  The sources of support come from healthcare provider, antenatal group or prenatal class, doula and websites. Yet, there are mothers out there still feel isolated and stress because they are experiencing lack of social connection and support. First of all, these mothers have to reach out to their loved ones whom they trust to get help. They need to join antenatal group, connect with others online and make new friends around. By doing so, they can start build network of people that can offer them their support and reassurance to make healthier and positive pregnancy experience.