Pregnancy can be an exciting time as you anticipate the arrival of your little one. But, there’s no denying it comes with some challenges, too. Your body will go through changes, and hormonal shifts can contribute to everything from strange cravings to feelings of fatigue.
Unfortunately, pregnancy can also trigger anxiety.
Whether you’re worried about having a healthy baby, staying healthy yourself, or can’t seem to keep from thinking about all of the “what ifs” associated with the experience, anxiety can be a real problem as you’re carrying your child.
Obviously, it’s not good for you or the baby to be in a constant state of anxiety. Thankfully, there are things you can do to manage those negative thoughts.
Practice Self-Care
As a pregnant woman, you’ve probably heard about self-care from doctors, doulas, and everyone in between. While taking care of yourself, physically, is incredibly important, self-care should also prioritize your mental health.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to adopt self-care practices into your daily routine. Doing so can reduce your stress levels and help with anxiety.
These practices don’t have to take a lot of time. It’s about finding what works for you. Try things like mindfulness or meditation to battle anxious thoughts. Prioritize healthy habits like getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet. Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to managing your mood. As a bonus, something like light physical activity will improve your physical health while reducing stress and knocking away anxious thoughts.
Talk to Someone
Don’t ever assume that your feelings aren’t valid. It’s understandable to be anxious about your pregnancy, no matter the reason. One of the worst things you can do is keep those feelings inside.
Lean on your support system of family and friends, and don’t hesitate to open up about your concerns. Sometimes, simply speaking them out loud can help.
In addition to talking to people in your inner circle, consider working with a therapist. Whether you had anxiety previously or it’s something that developed throughout your pregnancy, therapy can help. It will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of what’s triggering your anxiety while offering effective symptom management strategies.
Educate and Empower
If your anxiety stems from the fear of a difficult birthing experience, one of the best things you can do to combat it is to empower yourself with knowledge and confidence. Consider taking a birthing class, or working with a birthing coach on what to expect.
These things can give you more insight and take away some of the unknown factors that might be trying to creep in and cause worry. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and talk to your doctor about a specific birthing plan that meets your needs and calms your nerves.
Keep a Journal
Anxiety can often fuel itself. The more anxious you are, the harder it is to get rid of those thoughts. So, they become worse and more overwhelming.
If you don’t always have someone to talk to about your anxious thoughts, consider keeping a journal. Writing down your thoughts as they’re happening can take away some of their power. You’ll have an outlet to get them out of your mind.
A journal can also serve as a way to show you how far you’ve come in managing your anxiety. You can also use it to express the things you’re grateful for when it comes to your pregnancy, giving you a visual reminder whenever you need it.
Don’t let anxiety keep you from having a positive pregnancy experience. If you’re still struggling with fear and anxious thoughts, please Contact Us to learn more or to ask about a complimentary consultation.