Posted by lisa on July 13, 2003 at 09:54:29:
In Reply to: for you dreamers posted by Lisa on July 13, 2003 at 09:52:14:
ive also found this:
Dream Patterns
According to Paris, a pregnant woman's dreams tend to change with each trimester, and often follow a predictable pattern that reflects the progression of the pregnancy. For example:
First trimester dreams often revolve around the pregnant woman's past. Childhood homes and old lovers often figure prominently. These dreams are a way to clear up any unresolved issues. Standard themes during this time are dreams of vulnerability, often symbolized through nakedness; and dreams that have a protective and territorial quality.
The second trimester is when the woman begins to get a sense of the baby as a real person, and the bonding process between mother and child begins in earnest. Both water and animal themes often figure prominently in second trimester dreams. For example, the woman may dream she is a whale or dolphin in the ocean, swimming alongside her child.
Second trimester is also "prime time" for anxiety dreams, reflecting a woman's concerns as to whether or not she'll be a good mother. These dreams often involve leaving the baby behind somewhere, or having a baby born deformed or severely undersized. Charles McPhee, the online Dream Doctor, emphasizes that such "maternal instinct" dreams are not premonitions of a woman's parenting abilities. On the contrary, in fact. "These dreams simply reflect that you are a caring mother," says McPhee. "You are so dedicated to your children that you are worrying about them even in your sleep!"
Nature often figures prominently in third-trimester dreams, and the imagery can be quite powerful—volcanoes erupt, dams burst and tidal waves roll. Such dreams are representative of the impending birth and act as a dress rehearsal, of sorts, for the labor and delivery to come. Many woman actually dream of the entire birthing process. And it is not uncommon for movie stars to suddenly appear in dreams during this time, a reflection of the starring role the woman is playing in her own life.
Regardless of the specific nature of your dreams, it is important to remember that increased dream activity during pregnancy is normal. Dr. DiLeo, BabyZone's resident ob/gyn, explains that dreams act as a clearinghouse of sorts to help expectant mothers come to terms with both the physical and emotional transformation they are undergoing. "For first-time mothers especially," says Dr. DiLeo, "the bizarre dreams are a very real acknowledgement of the emotional investment of a pregnancy. This responsibility can weigh a bit heavy. I explain to my pregnant patients that strange, anxiety-producing dreams are simply the psyche's way of processing all that the conscious mind is already rationalizing."
So whether you are in your first trimester and dreaming of being naked in your kindergarten classroom or are in your third trimester and dreaming of giving birth in a barrel while shooting the rapids of Niagara Falls, know you are in good company. And by all means, dream on. Those bizarre dreams you are having just may make you a better parent, or at least a better-prepared one
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