During pregnancy, your body will go through many changes, so it’s perfectly natural to feel some amount of stress every once in a while. Some stress won’t cause any problems for your baby. However, if you feel stressed and anxious every day, you might need to handle your stress better. Prolonged stress can cause premature birth and lower the birth weight of your baby. Luckily, there are things you can do in order to reduce negative emotions and actually enjoy this magical period of your life. Here’s how to battle stress during pregnancy with great success.
Focus on your baby
Relaxing and taking things easy is actually very beneficial for your baby, so don’t feel guilty about focusing on yourself and your little bean.
One of the best techniques to just focus on your baby bump is to talk to it. From about 23 weeks into a pregnancy, babies start to head sounds, so chat with your baby, try to sing to it or grab a nice book and read out loud. It’s a great way to relax and bond with your baby while it’s still in your tummy.
Eat well
A clean and healthy diet is great for both you and your baby. Regular meals will ensure your blood sugar levels are stable so that you don’t feel irritable and tired.
However, when you’re feeling stressed, it’s not always easy to eat well (especially if you suffer from pregnancy sickness), but if you can make some little tweaks to your diet, you’ll instantly feel better.
Do some exercise
Exercising might be the last thing you want to do while being pregnant, but physical activity is a great mood booster thanks to all the feel-good hormones that get released into your brain. You don’t have to do anything demanding, though. You can just grab some comfy maternity jeans and take a light walk. This will allow you to get some fresh air and sun while staying perfectly comfortable and safe. Pregnancy yoga, swimming and aqua aerobics are also amazing if you want to tone your muscles and stretch your body. These also teach you many amazing breathing and relaxation exercises that will additionally help with your stress levels.
Take care of the money
Money is a common stress trigger in expecting mothers. So, if you’re worried about paying for all the baby clothing, furniture and other necessities, make a list of all the things you need and try to shop in advance. Some of the things from the list can be borrowed from friends and family while others can be bought second-hand. Certain items can even be skipped (Moses basket, baby towels, wipes warmers), so your financial situation can certainly improve.
Catch enough Zs
It’s very important to listen to your body. If you feel tired and sleepy, don’t hesitate to take a nap or retire to bed early in the evening. Sleep deprivation can cause various pregnancy issues and affect your mental state. If you already have a small child at home, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your partner, relatives and friends. Maybe they can take your children for an afternoon while you use the time to catch up on sleep. If you can’t get cozy with your baby bump, make sure to grab a pregnancy pillow and you’ll be more comfortable than ever before!
Talk to a professional
If you have any strong worries about your baby and your own health, make sure to contact a professional and do some counseling. Midwives have so many amazing tips and information that can ease your mind and allow you to sleep more easily.
Professionals have probably seen it all before, so don’t hesitate to be 100% honest about all your worries. Talking to your partner is also a great idea. They might not be able to offer professional advice, but they can surely listen. They probably have a few worries on their own, so good communication can ease both of your minds and ensure you have a better relationship. Other moms can also help, so try to join a few mommy clubs or Facebook groups where you can share concerns and tips.
Stress can not only endanger your health and the health of your baby, but it can also make pregnancy feel like a prison instead of something that should be celebrated. So make sure to ban it from your life and enjoy your pregnant days to the fullest!