The inspiration for these Mommy Monday series came in part from my good friend, Michelle Erfurt. She announced her pregnancy on her blog last month along with her intention to blog about being a pregnant music therapist…something that she pointed out has not yet been done.
I wasn’t blogging when I was pregnant with my two children. I launched Music Therapy Maven—somewhat impulsively—as I was transitioning back to work when my youngest was 3 months old. But I do have some memories about being a pregnant music therapist and thought it might be fun to reminisce for a minute. As do many of our “older” memories, there’s a lot I don’t remember. But there are lingering moments, feelings, and fleeting episodes that have stayed with me.
I remember being so fatigued during the first trimester of my first pregnancy that I would lay down on the floor in between sessions. I would muster the strength to sit up as I heard the next group walking down the stairs.
I remember the first time I outright lied to a client, a little 6yo boy with fetal alcohol syndrome. I was nearing the end of my first trimester and had not told anyone I was pregnant. This boy passes me in the hall, looks at me, and asks “Are you pregnant?” Startled, I looked him in the eyes and said “No.” His intuition that day still surprises me…
When I finally did get around to telling my supervisor that I was pregnant, she said “So that explains why you’ve been looking so tired recently.” So much for trying to hide it!
I remember it being rather difficult to play the guitar with a massive belly. And harder to sing and breath with the baby scrunching your lungs.
The nurses and therapists at the hospital were very protective of me. They would not let me clean my instruments with the powerful cleaners used by the hospital. I didn’t wipe any instruments for about six months.
I loved feeling my baby moving inside of me during a session. It felt like our special little secret.
I remember being so proud that I was able to continue sitting on the floor during groups up until the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy.
One of the perks of being a music therapist is that you get to make music every day. And my kiddos got to be there for all of it.
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I remember my son would move at the beginning of every session, then stop as soon as the music started. I didn’t work with a lot of my younger clients because I had some kickers and biters and was worried for the baby’s safety. I also remember that winded feeling well! But the payoff is that my son loves music, a love that we of course indulge!
great post, thank you for sharing your experience
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