THUNAIEvery member of the family would readily agree that the top priority is ensuring the best for the newborn.
In this context, family would include the mother's parents and siblings as well as the father's parents and siblings.
The pregnant mother and father may be jointly living with some of their family, typically the in laws. This may be helpful to the pregnant mother if she is going through nausea or generally feeling tired - provided, the family is supportive and understanding and she is recused from her domestic duties.
In a joint family situation, the family can try to be aware of the following
- Giving the expectant couple some space and privacy
- Giving the mother adequate rest, help her develop a self care routine (yoga, breathing, mandala etc)
- Not pushing their wishes on to them and be a buffer against social pressures
- Giving agency to the mother about choice of doctors/hospital, treatments as needed, types of functions to be held etc
- Going through Thunai's sessions for family awareness of maternal mental health; not brushing it aside as "we have all done this"
If the couple are living alone
- Family can offer to visit and help during challenging periods as needed
- Last 3 points from above still apply.
At no point, there should be an expectation of a boy child or skin color etc.. This is deeply damaging to the mother and the child.