World Water Day is fast approaching and I’m glad there is a day to pause and reflect on water and what water...clean safe water...means to us. The theme this year is ‘Valuing Water’; celebrating and sharing about the water in and around us and, in reflecting, answering the question ‘What does water mean to you?’
Naturally, I immediately and instinctively thought of what water means to me and us as moms and I’d like to share my reflections with you:
As an expecting mom water is...
The first home and protection for our growing babies. The human body is made up of up to 75% water and the amniotic fluid that the babies grow and thrive in comes from this water. It cushions, protects and allows them to move and grow healthy. It’s why healthcare providers and advocates always tell expecting moms to double down and drink more H2O even when we cannot stand it.
As an expecting mom water is...
That safe place to protect our babies and our bodies while working out and gaining strength...through aqua aerobics. I remember in my first pregnancy being so concerned about labour and being strong enough to deliver vaginally. This caused me to research different forms of exercise safe to do while pregnant. Walking and aqua aerobics were always in the top two. So I walked my pregnant self to a women’s aqua aerobics class 2-3 times a week and it was so worth it; not just for the strength building but for the fun and the endorphins.
As an expecting mom water is...
That place to soak away aching bones, swollen feet and over stretched ligaments from a pregnant body growing in new and unexpected ways. For me, there was nothing like an occasional soak in luke warm bath water, some lavender and epsom salts to ease some of the tension.
As an expecting mom water is...
That alternative to pain medication for the mama who wants to have a water assisted birth in a birthing center or the comfort of her own h8ome. While this has never been my experience - I’ve often day dreamed about what a water birth would be like for me. It seems so much more intimate and relaxing and i’m grateful it’s an option for so many expecting moms.
As an expecting mom water is...
That IV fluid that really and truly helps to save our lives. Especially during hospital births where we need any pain or medical intervention. That sometimes annoying ‘drip’ is literally hydrating us along the way and safe guarding against complications like intra and post partum hemorrhage.
As a new mom water is...
That liquid gold that we feed to our new born via breast milk or that boiled or bottled water we use to mix baby formula.
As a new mom water is...
That overall feeling of clean for us because childbirth is messy and that first shower after delivering - there is no other feeling of clean like it. Child rearing on a whole is messy and there is nothing like a shower after being puked, peed and shat on. 🤷🏽♀️😅
As a new mom water is...
That warm bath that soothes and calms a fussy baby when they are going through the Period of PURPLE crying.
As a mom water is...
That safe drink to give to our children that is healthy, affordable and that is good for their body and teeth.
As a mom water is...
That cleaning super agent. Where there is water there is a way to keep kids and their surroundings clean, sanitized and healthy.
As a mom water is...
That splash pad outing, backyard hose down or beach/river/pool trip on a summer’s day when it’s too hot to be inside and too hot outside to be running around without some cool.
As a mom water is...
That home cooked meal that is delicious, nutritious, safe and healthy for the entire family.
I could go on and on and on about what water means to me because as a mom water is literally LIFE. 💜
What does water mean to you?
