The purpose of this exercise is to think about all that is involved in preparing to become parents. Planning, conceiving, and sustaining a healthy pregnancy require a great deal of preparation from all involved.

If you are not yet a parent, think about and write a journal entry responding to one or more of the following:

Women: Your physical condition prior to becoming pregnant—how will you take care of and prepare your body for conception? Address nutrition, physical shape, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and other environmental stressors. What might be your health care plans? (Physician, mid-wife, etc.) What kind of labor and delivery experience do you want? (Hospital, home delivery) Who will you want with you during this time? What post-partum situation do you anticipate? How might you prepare yourself to be an exceptional mother?