The Pregnancy Journey & The Importance of Support

I really cannot seem to think of a clever way to share this, so I will just come out and say it: My husband and I are expecting a baby! Our precious gift will arrive just in time for Christmas on December 24, 2018. This is the first time in New Beginnings history that a director of the home has been expecting – the Lord knows I am always up for a good challenge.

​The experience of becoming a first-time mother has put a lot of things into perspective for me. It amazes me how our bodies react to the baby growing inside us: morning sickness (that name is so deceiving), sore boobs, bleeding gums, stuffy nose, headaches, itchy legs, utter exhaustion, and so much more. I really had no idea how difficult it could be! With symptoms like these it would be so difficult not to have the support of someone you love. My husband has been my rock through this experience: he has taken on extra chores around the house (including emptying the litter box *I was thrilled to give that up*), cooked for me, listened to me complain, and helped me when I felt sick. The fact that many of the mothers that come to New Beginnings do not have support from anyone when they call us breaks my heart now more than ever.

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​New Beginnings is such an important piece to the family puzzle. Not only do the mothers know that God loves them and their baby, but they know that they can rely on us to hold their hand when they are scared, help them when they are sick, and listen to them when they need to talk. All the other benefits and program components aside, this is a piece I am sure they will never forget. I certainly will never forget the support that I have had.

​My husband and I cannot wait to meet our little boy or girl. The milestones that are coming up are so exciting! I recently started my second trimester, we will be finding out the gender soon (can’t wait), and I am excited to feel the baby move for the first time. When we hold our precious gift in our arms for the first time, I know that I will forget all about how sick I have felt. I know the mothers at New Beginnings experience the same joy and awe when their babies are born. We are all thanking God right now for blessing us with our little humans, and also thanking him for surrounding us with supportive friends and family.

Please continue to pray for all mothers that they may find the support they need both in Jesus and through friends and family. For those of you who currently support expecting or new moms, on behalf of all mothers I would like to say THANK YOU! You are a blessing.

Brianne Hansen is the Executive Director at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, spending time with her dog (Bella) and cats (Mufasa & Jasmine), and going on adventures with her husband, Daniel.  ​

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