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Historically speaking, women's bodies are resilient. We have all heard stories of women who, while working within the fields, went into labor, delivered on site, handed their baby to a wet nurse, and carried on working in the field. I trust that we are, now, civilized enough that no one on Earth need be so rustic, for the beauty of the experience was lost in the field.

Moreover, strength and resilience are not all that is precious with regard to the human frame. Our bodies are resilient so that we will be able to, most effectively, care perfectly for our babies, at any age, and ourselves. Within the protective confines of the strong, thick muscles of the womb ("womb man" = woman) is a warm, soft, entirely heavenly, cushion wherein our babies are first cradled, loved, and nourished.

Within a society which values activity and productivity and denigrates lavish living, it is all too rare, lately, for a mother-to-be to be able to luxuriate in her pregnancy. Yet, this is precisely that which each mother-to-be needs to be doing. The ever so delicate relationship between egg and womb can become easily adulterated by jostling or overly aggressive intercourse.

Gentleness is the key, moment by moment, throughout pregnancy.

Naturally, regular exercise is necessary. Nevertheless, an easy, daily stroll through the park is sufficient unto this end.

I was a cheerleader, as a teenager, and I used to ride horseback, sometimes bareback, and I loved it. When I learned of my first pregnancy, I was so excited that I celebrated by heading to the stable and riding hard and fast like the wind. It was a beautiful day. Then my aunt, who is a mother, nurse, and horse owner, learned that I had gone riding. I had never, before, heard her "put her foot down" so quickly. "For the sake of the baby's health," she told me, "you must not ride (horses), at any time, during your pregnancy. In fact, you must not jostle your body, at all. Life is delicate ...treat it as such. You will be lucky if you do not miscarry, as it is."

Although I did not miscarry and my babies were born healthy, she frightened me enough that I retired my saddle until a few months following each of my pregnancies.

Yes, I rode in automobiles and flew in planes, which, when used correctly, are relatively passive activities, yet, I never carried luggage, nor anything else of weight, and I was careful to never jostle my body. My girlfriend, conversely, felt obligated to tend to her husband's needs, rather than he to hers, and she carried a basket of laundry up the stairs when she was 6 months pregnant. On her way up the stairs, her baby turned and became strangled by the umbilical cord. She could feel her baby dying within her womb. For the next three months, she had to carry her dead baby within her womb, crying the while. Take no chances!

Now, I have heard all of the arguments to the contrary, some of which I once believed, yet, in living a gentle, romantic pregnancy, I, also, became extremely familiar with the inner workings of my body. I was more mindful and, emotionally, closer to my babies, moment by moment. I pampered myself, every moment, and loved every moment of my pregnancies. Our love-making was gentle and romantic, throughout my pregnancies, rather than wildly carefree, which enhanced our relationship beyond our imaginations.

One additional word of advice when traveling while 3-4 months pregnant: keep plenty of Kleenex tissue at hand - romancing your baby throughout your pregnancy is an unparalleled emotional high which will, frequently, bring tears of joy to your eyes!

Learn more about this author, Jane Smith.
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