Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    From Mum to Mum
    From Mum to Mum
    From Mum to Mum
    Ebook123 pages2 hours

    From Mum to Mum

    By Sarra G. Nasser

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    The emotional ups and downs of pregnancy can make you feel like you are on a roller coaster ride! From Mum to Mum will better prepare you for this and give you a deeper understanding of why it is you are feeling this way. The book is written by someone who has been through the whole process of pregnancy, birth and caring for the newborn. It is written through the eyes of a mother and gives you all the facts straight.

    From Mum to Mum provides expectant parents, both first time and 'old time', with some light-hearted, honest and informative information about what they may be experiencing during their pregnancy, the birth and the first few months at home with a newborn baby. The focus being on the emotional changes one may expect and to ensure the expectant mother that what she is going through is in fact normal.

    Preparing the nursery, the clothes and getting all the essential items for the baby may be quite a daunting task for first-time parents. Walking into a baby shop, your first instinct is to grab one of everything, not really knowing whether you really need it or not. If you do need it, how on earth do you use it? Where are all the shop assistants who are supposed to help? Can I take one home with me? In order to make the process easier, From Mum to Mum includes a detailed list of all items needed as well as an explanation as to how to use each item.

    Preparing for the birth and the anxieties of how one is going to cope may be quite frightening. You've heard all the stories, but what is it really like? A detailed and honest account of what to expect and how you can make it easier for your self is a major part of From Mum to Mum. What is it like after the birth? How may I be feeling? Will I be able to just get up and go? These are all the points addressed in the book as there is quite a misconception as to the speed and ease of recovery.

    Finally, the section on being at home with the baby is aimed at giving a few helpful tips on how to cope and what the new mother may be feeling at the time. It is helpful for fathers to read the book as well, to shed some light on why his once bubbly, joyous wife is now willing to sleep for hours on end and flies off the handle at the slightest look, touch, or comment.

    "The art of writing is a gift that needs drive. It is Sarra's motivation, determination, and loving character that have initiated that drive. I have shared with her and her husband the sadness of miscarriages and the joy of giving birth to her four lovely children. In a field shared by all mothers, Sarra manages to cover and address the different aspects of the mystery of motherhood, yet at the same time brings to light more facts and fresh opinions. She provides a great deal of worthy and practical advice that will give more confidence and reassurance to mothers. I find the book enjoyable and stimulating and recommend it heartily, both for those new to motherhood and for those who are already blessed with it."

    Dr. Nael Abaza
    M.B.B., ch - M.R.C.O.G
    Obstetrician and Gynecologist

    "When Sarra asked me to write the forward to From Mum to Mum, I was pleased and honoured. In her book, Sarra shares her experience of being a mum with other mums. This makes the book different from any other book written by professionals attempting to prepare and educate future mothers. From Mum to Mum is a great source of information , from which mothers learn about early pregnancy, morning sickness, heartburn and labour, etc. Sarra also shares the pleasures of preparing for the arrival of the baby, the onset of labour, and the delivery, as well as caring for the newborn. The book is for all mothers as it is written in a very simple, easy to read style. Sarra uses her own personal experience to explain and clarify scientific words and processes. As the pediatrician of her four beautiful, healthy children, I hav

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTrafford Publishing
    Release dateMay 29, 2005
    ISBN9781412233323
    From Mum to Mum
    Author

    Sarra G. Nasser

    As a mother of four children, Sarra has suffered and triumphed the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, miscarriage, birth and the joy of motherhood. As a psychologist and counselor, Sarra has dedicated third book to all expectant parents and those already blessed with children with the aim of offering support and guidance and the truth about the ups and downs of this joyous experience. Sarra lives in Amman, Jordan with her husband and four children.

    Related to From Mum to Mum

    Related ebooks

    Relationships For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Mom’s The Word

      May 1, 2022

      Mom’s The Word
      3 min read

    • Article

      Kate Baer Poet Author Mother

      Jun 2, 2022

      Kate Baer Poet Author Mother
      6 min read

    • Article

      My Mum Helps With Our Baby, But Undermines Us As Parents

      May 6, 2022

      My partner and I recently became parents. We are lucky to have both sets of grandparents to give hands-on support. This was great when our baby was very young and everything felt like one big blur. However, we’ve begun to find my mother’s presence in

      2 min read

    • Article

      Queen Of Common Sense.

      Dec 10, 2020

      Queen Of Common Sense.
      9 min read

    • Article

      Mother In Meltdown

      Jun 16, 2020

      Mother In Meltdown
      5 min read

    • Article

      Wild Whisperings

      Apr 11, 2018

      Wild Whisperings
      8 min read

    • Article

      Between

      Mar 4, 2021

      Between
      8 min read

    • Article

      Not Quite Postnatal Depression But Still Not OK – Why We Need Language For Maternal Ambivalence

      May 11, 2021

      Last night, as I was trying to settle my fretting son to sleep, I had a thought, clear as day: “I just don’t want to do this any longer.” He’d been grizzling for 45 minutes, his dad was out, and after a long day at work, all I wanted was a glass of w

      4 min read

    • Article

      There's A Name For The Ups And Downs Of New Motherhood: It's Called Matrescence

      Aug 8, 2021

      That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not recognizing your body in the mirror, thinking that you've lost yourself—it's all part of the process.

      5 min read

    • Article

      #Sharing

      May 23, 2022

      #Sharing
      2 min read

    • Article

      A Space for Life to Grow

      May 17, 2021

      A Space for Life to Grow
      9 min read

    • Article

      'I Had Babies 25 Years Apart'

      Jan 8, 2023

      'I Had Babies 25 Years Apart'
      7 min read

    • Article

      5 Ways to Prevent Working Mom Burnout

      May 15, 2021

      We already know the devastating impact COVID has had on women in the workforce — four times as many women as men dropped out of the labor force last September, and 9.8 million working mothers were suffering from burnout.  As a working mom, I feel for

      3 min read

    • Article

      Female Form

      Oct 28, 2020

      Female Form
      5 min read

    • Article

      Here To Help

      Nov 2, 2022

      Q I read the newspaper every day and I catch the news on social media, the radio and television throughout the day. I’ve always thought it was important to be informed about the world. But these days it’s so full of dire predictions for the world eco

      3 min read

    • Article

      Parenting With A Twist!

      Sep 2, 2020

      Parenting With A Twist!
      3 min read

    • Article

      1, 2, 3… more Than You Bargained For?

      Jul 27, 2023

      Surviving the first six weeks with a baby is a mammoth task – but doing it with multiples is even more daunting. Mothers who have been there and survived it say that although caring for their babies is the most difficult in the early months, things d

      2 min read

    • Article

      A Letter To My Loves

      May 1, 2019

      A Letter To My Loves
      7 min read

    • Article

      A Chat With Ashley Simpo

      Mar 3, 2022

      A Chat With Ashley Simpo
      8 min read

    • Article

      See Your Future With Debbie Malone

      Sep 18, 2022

      Q I loved reading the beautiful letter in New Idea to you about Kylie wanting to have a baby and having so many setbacks. It inspired me to contact you to see what my future holds. Do you see me having children anytime soon? I keep getting told to

      3 min read

    • Article

      Me Myself , & My Son

      Sep 6, 2019

      Me Myself , & My Son
      5 min read

    • Article

      Back To The Office

      Aug 1, 2022

      Back To The Office
      10 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for From Mum to Mum

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      From Mum to Mum - Sarra G. Nasser

      DEDICATION

      For my children:

      Faisal, my star; Huzaima, my sweetness and light; Sumaya, my joy, and little Cathra, my miracle, through all of whom I have been granted the gift of motherhood. And for my husband, Ra’ad, whose patience and understanding are worthy of a medal! You are my strength, joy, and reason for being. I love you all.

      For my mother,

      Without your strength, support, love and courage, nothing in my life would have been possible. I love you more than you can ever know.

      FOREWORD

      B2_FromMumtoMum-9.jpg

      The art of writing is a gift that needs drive. It is Sarra’s motivation, determination, and loving character that have initiated that drive. I have shared with her and her husband the sadness of miscarriages and the joy of giving birth to her four lovely children. In a field shared by all mothers, Sarra manages to cover and address the different aspects of the mystery of motherhood, yet at the same time brings to light more facts and fresh opinions. She provides a great deal of worthy and practical advice that will give more confidence and reassurance to mothers. I find the book enjoyable and stimulating and recommend it heartily, both for those new to motherhood and for those already blessed with it.

      Dr. Nael Abaza

      M.B.B., ch – M.R.C.O.G.

      Obstetrician and Gynecologist.

      When Sarra asked me to write the foreword to From Mum to Mum, I was pleased and honoured. In her book, Sarra shares her experience of being a mum with other mums. This makes the book different from any other book written by professionals attempting to prepare and educate future mothers. From Mum to Mum is a great source of information, from which mothers learn about early pregnancy, morning sickness, heartburn and labor etc. Sarra also shares the pleasures of preparing for the arrival of the baby, the onset of labor, and the delivery as well as caring for the newborn. The book is for all mothers as it is written in a very simple, easy to read style. Sarra uses her own personal experience to explain and clarify scientific words and processes. As the pediatrician of her four beautiful, healthy children, I have shared with her the many experiences and events described in this book and I have had great pleasure reading it.

      Dr. Jarir F. Halazun

      M.D., F.A.A.P.

      Pediatrician – American Board

      Pediatric – Hematology

      American University of Beirut

      University Hospitals – U.S.A.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      B2_FromMumtoMum-9.jpg

      INTRODUCTION

      CHAPTER ONE YOU’RE PREGNANT!

      CHAPTER TWO MISCARRIAGE

      CHAPTER THREE THE NURSERY AND LAYETTE

      CHAPTER FOUR TRAVELLING WITH BABY

      CHAPTER FIVE YOUR PREGNANCY PROGRESSES

      CHAPTER SIX THE LAST STRETCH

      CHAPTER SEVEN THE DELIVERY

      CHAPTER EIGHT YOUR STAY AT THE HOSPITAL

      CHAPTER NINE GETTING HOME WITH BABY

      CHAPTER TEN THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

      APPENDIX ONE YOUR HANDY SHOPPING LIST

      INTRODUCTION

      B2_FromMumtoMum-9.jpg

      Dear reader,

      Having a child is a most precious and wonderful gift. Raising a child is one of the hardest and most demanding, yet rewarding, jobs ever known, let no one tell you otherwise! As a parent, you have to be loving, patient, creative, nurturing, a disciplinarian, referee, guidance counselor, and much, much more.

      As a mother of four young children, I’ve had to be all these things, learning along the way through a process of trial and error. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be handed a manual with each child? Probably, but this isn’t the case. In writing this book, I hope to give you a few tips purely through the experience I have gained. I must point out that this book is not aimed at giving you medical advise as I will not pretend to be a doctor, but rather tips from one parent to another. You must also remember that what is true for one person is not necessarily true for another. My aim here is to give you an idea of what you may be feeling during pregnancy and ideas on how to cope with birth and caring for a newborn baby.

      You must keep in mind when you are reading this book that I do not intend to give you a month by month detailed account of your pregnancy, but rather an overview of what you may be feeling and going through during each trimester.

      As a young girl, I always dreamed of the day I would be swept off my feet by my ‘Prince Charming’, get married, and be blissfully happy with a whole gaggle of happy children. The perfect fairy tale! Don’t tell me you haven’t had the same dreams? With a few added extras, perhaps, but the end result being much the same.

      I remember after being punished by my parents thinking to myself, When I have children I will never do that. I will never send her to her room or yell at her under any circumstances. Even at a young age, you seem to lay the foundations for what kind of parent you would be. It’s interesting to see that things don’t always turn out exactly the way you planned, although a great many of the things that you had set as rules do seem to apply, however lightly.

      I remember, very clearly, countless hours of sitting with my sisters analyzing the actions of our mother and promising each other never to allow ourselves to do some of the things she did. Only once you’ve had children, the tables turn, and you end up looking back at those times and sort of appreciating why it was so at the time.

      One such example of this is an incident where my sister and I stumbled on a pair of scissors. My mother had bought us some new pajamas and after having been bathed and dressed in them for bed, we found the scissors. Now being young children, we weren’t allowed to play with anything sharp, but we couldn’t resist the temptation! After concealing ourselves in the bathroom, we proceeded to cut away at our pajamas; delighted by the different shapes we were able to create. To our horror, the bathroom door (which we didn’t lock because we weren’t allowed to – go figure?) opened and low and behold our mother entered. You can imagine her reaction at the sight of her daughters sitting very innocently chopping away at their clothes. Needless to say we didn’t dare play with scissors again, although I have to admit it took us quite a few years to understand why she was so terribly upset with us. Looking back on it now, I understand it all a little better, and I fear I may be guilty of a similar (but hopefully less violent) reaction.

      In summary, on reading about the effects of pregnancy, birth, and the early days at home with your newborn, it may all seem very daunting and quite gruesome. Don’t be discouraged as it is, in fact, a most wonderful and joyous experience. Without the hardships, I don’t believe that you can truly appreciate the miracle of creating a new life. My main advice is to cherish every moment, good or bad, and enjoy the true gift you have been given.

      CHAPTER 1

      YOU’RE PREGNANT!

      B2_FromMumtoMum-9.jpg

      y.jpg ou have been waiting what seems to be your whole life for this moment… is it positive? You are late and every time you go to the bathroom you expect to see what you do not want to see: the telltale sign that again this month you are not pregnant. Sitting nervously in your bathroom, watching the minutes tick away, waiting for the indicator to turn color! It does… you are pregnant!

      Do not be put off if the color change is only slight; any change means that it is most probably a positive result. What do you do next? Well the only way to be one hundred percent sure is to go and have a blood test. This is a very simple procedure that gives you the results within a few hours, if not sooner.

      I have to say here; do not be completely discouraged if the result is negative with a home pregnancy test. I mean no disrespect for the efficiency of these tests. I only mention it as it happened to me, with my son. I did a home pregnancy test, which turned out to be negative. I waited a few more days and still there were no signs. Finally, at the end of my tether, I decided to just go and have a blood test, which turned out to be positive.

      With a positive result, you are most probably anywhere between 3 to 5 weeks pregnant. It is wise at this point to find an OBGYN, if you do not have one already. An appointment is in order. This is a very exciting time, but do not go to the OBGYN expecting to have an ultrasound scan and see the baby. Usually at your first appointment, the doctor will verify the pregnancy and take a full medical history. Nowadays, doctors seem to do as few scans as possible. However at this stage (about 5 weeks), you may have a scan in order for the doctor to determine if there is in fact a viable sac (which is the first stage of the fetal development). Usually it is not until 8 weeks of pregnancy that you may see the heart beat of the baby. All these things are discussed with the doctor. You should also ask any of the questions you want at this point; for example, if you should be taking folic acid and vitamins, which foods you should avoid or increase, exercise etc.. If you have not already had a blood test, the doctor may ask for one, which is also normal procedure. Remember, the important thing at this stage is to relax and ask anything you want. It is always comforting if your husband accompanies you to your monthly checkups. It not only allows for him to experience the pregnancy (to a certain degree), but he will also be able to understand a little more what it is you are going through, especially the hormone changes that will definitely affect your behavior. He will also be able to ask questions. I found that the worst thing in these appointments was being weighed! This again is normal but can be embarrassing if you are anything like me! You must also expect to have your blood pressure taken. A nurse, rather than the

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1