Are you a teen or young African American mother to be? If not, do you know someone who is? Having difficulty dealing with your feelings and emotions? Can't imagine reaching your future plans or dreams now that you are pregnant? Need someone or somewhere to turn? You are not alone! Learning and Enriching Who I am can help you find your way. Learning and Enriching Who I Am clearly outlines a comprehensive guide and weekly journal into the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy with a blend of African American cultural beliefs and views. Denise helps the young African American mother to be prepare for motherhood by providing information and a week to week journey through the pregnancy. Learning and Enriching Who I Am grants insight and encourages the young mother to capture her feelings and face the realities and challenges of pregnancy. Right now the future may seem years away and you have an entire life ahead of you. Pregnancy and motherhood can be the most rewarding times of your life but require preparation, information and understanding. What better gift to give to your offspring than to prepare for his or her birth. You can prepare for later, starting now by reading Learning and Enriching Who I Am. Your journey into a healthy and gratifying pregnancy for you and your baby starts here!

Learning and Enriching Who I Am

An African American Teen Mother to BeBy Denise Corpening

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2008 Denise Corpening
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4343-9545-0

Contents

Preface.....................................................................................ixAcknowledgment..............................................................................xIntroduction................................................................................xiWeek 1 - 4: Wow ... I'm pregnant!...........................................................1Week 5: While you were sleeping.............................................................2Week 6: Has the pregnancy become "real" to you yet?.........................................3Week 7: Let's take this journey together....................................................4Week 8: While you are waiting...............................................................5Week 9: Changes are taking place............................................................6Week 10: But I like fast food and my mamma's home cooking!..................................7Week 11: Generations of Food................................................................8Week 12: I'm trying to take it all in, but it's hard!.......................................9Week 13: Time is ticking on.................................................................10Week 14: I've had my doctor visit. I am even more confused..................................11Week 15: Tests, tests and more tests........................................................12Week 16: Ultrasounds and other procedures done in pregnancy.................................13Week 17: Being "Real", can help you!........................................................14Week 18: The list goes on and on............................................................15Week 19: He is your "Baby Daddy", but is he there for you?..................................16Week 20: Are we there yet? Half way!........................................................17Week 21: How big is my baby now?............................................................18Week 22: I'm feeling it now, boy, do I feel pregnant!.......................................19Week 23: I never thought about that.........................................................20Week 24: I am always feeling bad. Is this normal?...........................................21Week 25: Some things are just private. I don't want to talk about them......................22Week 26: How could this happen?.............................................................23Week 27: But, I don't have Diabetes.........................................................24Week 28: What is Preterm Labor?.............................................................25Week 29: What happens if my water breaks?...................................................26Week 30: Is bleeding a true emergency?......................................................27Week 31: Boy, my feet are swelling!.........................................................28Week 32: How much longer? I'm ready.........................................................29Week 33: I have so much to do!..............................................................30Week 34: I'm still waiting..................................................................31Week 35: Believe it or not; I am getting it together!.......................................32Week 36: 36 weeks and counting..............................................................33Week 37: The time is here! I thought it would never come....................................34Week 38: Okay, it's time. I'm ready.........................................................35Week 39: I'm at the hospital. Now what?.....................................................36Week 40: But I have been pushing............................................................37Why do I need a C/S?........................................................................37Conclusion..................................................................................39About the Author............................................................................43

Chapter One

Week One - Four: Wow ... I'm pregnant!

Feeling as if you are carrying the entire load of the world within is common. You are not alone. It happens to thousands of young expectant mothers. Many young African American women experience fear, anger and denial when learning of their pregnancy for the first time. Often times the pregnancy was unplanned and undesired. All of these feelings may feel overwhelming but can be very normal. Always remember, there is help available when you need it. Seek out available resources. You don't have to do it alone.

How was the pregnancy confirmed? _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

How did you feel when you found out? _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Did you tell anyone? If not, why? ________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Notes_____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Month_____ Year______

Week 5: While you were sleeping.....

Often times a good night sleep can make things look brighter. Despite how gloomy things may appear at first, sleep can be a beginning to looking at things with a fresh outlook. Depending on your own individual circumstances, how you personally handle situations and what support systems are available to you, maybe a good night's sleep may be a start to help relieve or lessen your stress. Aim for eight hours of sleep per night.

Are you able to sleep? If so, do you find you are able to think about the pregnancy and how to deal with it? Are your thoughts becoming brighter now? ________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Are you faced with so much stress that you are finding it difficult to move forward? What are your plans? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Notes ____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Month_____ Year______

Week 6: Has the pregnancy become "real" to you yet?

Do you believe that if you face things head on, the power of strength will take over? Strength often comes in numbers. For many decades African American families and communities have taken pride in coming together during troubled times. Don't be too ashamed to reach out for help when you need it.

Do you have...