Managing anxiety and stress during pregnancy

Q. Is it normal to be very anxious during pregnancy?

A. Pregnancy could cause a lot of worries in most people. And for a right reason; a life is growing inside you.

It is natural to worry about the food you eat, the drink you consume as well as what you feel think and do. It is also completely normal to fret about the health of your baby, how the entry of this new person will transform your relationships and life, and if you are actually cut out for the task of parenthood. However in case your anxiety is becoming fanatical and interferes regularly with your everyday functioning then it is time to find ways to cope with it.

To begin with, lightly share your worries with your partner even if it concerns him. It is possible that he is having concerns of his own. Openly communicate about your fears as it helps in both of you feeling better. Seek the support of family and friends. Another source of support can be other pregnant women, as they are likely to be having similar worries as you are having.

In case you are really anxious or if there is a particular reason for you to be worried about the health of your baby, talk about it to your caregiver. In case the anxiety still persists even after you have discussed your worries and have confirmed the well being of your baby, you should seek professional counseling to assist you in finding the cause of your concerns.

Q. I am currently very stressed in my life. How will it have an effect on my baby?

A. Even as daily pressure is a part of today’s life, high levels of chronic anxiety and stress could increase the possibility of preterm labor or of giving birth to a low-birth weight baby. In case you are accustomed to caring for others or working very hard at your work place, prioritizing yourself might seem abnormal or even self-centered. Nevertheless during pregnancy taking care of yourself is a necessary part of caring for your baby. Reducing stress or learning ways to handle it better results in a healthier pregnancy.

Q. How is it possible for me to calm down?

A. Below are some of the ways to reduce anxiety and deal with your stress at home and at your work place:

* Reduce your chores and use the time to relax, read a book or nap. Take the benefit vacations and sick days whenever you can. One day of rest or even a noon’s rest can help you to go through the tough week.
* Learn to say ‘no’. This is the time to get rid of the impression that it is possible for you to do everything. You cannot, so practice to let go of your superwoman ideals. Make it a priority to slow down and get accustomed to the idea of taking the help of your friends and family.
* Regularly workout for instance walking or swimming.
* Undertake stretching, yoga or deep-breathing exercises.
* Make an effort to have a balanced and healthy diet as that you get adequate physical and emotional energy you require.
* Restrict information overload. It is good to surf pregnancy web sites, reading pregnancy books and listening to the pregnancy stories of others. However, do not dwell into the things that can go wrong during your pregnancy. Instead focus on the way you feel and the things happening to you now.
* Sleep early. The body of a pregnant woman works overtime to nurture the baby growing inside and requires all the sleep and rest it can get.
* In case you are under tremendous stress or feel that you have reached a breaking point, talk to your doctor and request to be referred to a therapist, who is in a better position to evaluate your chronic anxiety and can help you by providing advice on how to feel better. Getting assistance when pregnant can guard you and your baby from avoidable risks and decrease your chances of postpartum depression and anxiety.
* Create or join a support group. In case you are coping with a complex situation, it helps to spend time with other people who are facing similar situations. A lot of women seek online support networks.