AVOIDING STRESS DURING PREGNANCY

posted in: Parenting, Uncategorized, Women | 6
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DEALING WITH STRESS WHEN PREGNANT IS VERY IMPORTANT

Stress is an emotional means by which the body responds to a demand on it. The situations or pressures that cause stress are called stressors and can be caused by both good and bad experiences. Managing stress can be unbearable, depending on the circumstances of an individual such as for example, the work you do, your age, your health, either single or married amid others. The vital question to answer is: “how do you handle or manage stress” when it happens?

Pregnant women, like everybody else, can experience stress which could be prevalent in any of the three (3) trimesters of pregnancy due to different stressors. However, high levels of stress may affect you and your baby if not properly managed and controlled. It is therefore highly recommended to seek expert advice from midwives or doctors immediately any level of stress is experienced.

There are different ways of combating stress in pregnancy but not limited to the following;

. Do Not Overwork Yourself – Take it Easy

All through pregnancy the body undergoes many changes and works at a faster rate because of the ‘little one’ growing inside you. Some pregnant women become frustrated when they are incapable of doing things like bathing their feet or squatting to pick items from the ground. This is perfectly normal; do not hesitate to ask for help rather than worrying about the situation and in so doing, causing undue stress. It is very important to make conscious effort to relax and take care of your body and bump when the need arises. You should never feel guilty or bad to rest, especially when your body is giving the signals to do so. There is absolutely no need to overwork your body to impress anyone when pregnant.

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DO NOT STRESS WITH WORK

. Be Cautious of What You Eat – Eat Well

What you eat or drink in the course of pregnancy is very essential. There are several recipe books available with different varieties of food for pregnant women and how to prepare them. However it is always advisable to ask questions at antenatal visits if you are in doubts concerning healthy diet. It is perfectly normal to crave for certain foods or drinks when pregnant but if you are unclear about anything just ask the professionals for advice. This is because what may be appropriate for someone may not necessarily be for you especially in pregnancy, as we are all different people.

  • Seek Expert or Medical Advice Whenever Required

Every now and then, pregnant women ask other mums questions such as: did you puke after the first three months”?Did you have abdominal pains”? “Were you extremely tired in your first trimester”? “Were you having stomach aches in your third trimester”? The simple answer is, seek expert advice whenever you are in doubt of your condition. There is nothing wrong in asking other mothers about their experiences, but, for medical reasons, you are better off seeking a professional opinion when in doubt or experiencing anything unfamiliar. At all times remember that, we are all different people and even though we may be having similar experiences yet medically, we may require different approaches; for instance, carrying multiple pregnancies would require you take extra care in doing certain things based on my experience.

  • Manage Your Finances

Money matters can bring undue stress if not properly planned and managed. Particularly towards the end of the third trimester, anxiety sets in for many would-be-mums when they have not bought all the things they need for delivery and post-delivery. The stress associated with money issues increases when there is not much cash or there is not enough savings towards the cause in question. In order to curb such stressful situation, pregnant women must try to manage their finances together with their partners so that such undue stress and anxiety can be avoided. In addition, always try and spend within your means, spend according to your capabilities, buy the essentials and what you need. From experience, if care is not taken you would end up buying things you do not need. Always list the items you would like to buy and follow a budget and spend within it.

  • Give Yourself A Treat

Take time to relax and treat yourself to those things you used to engage in when you were not pregnant. For instance you can go for swimming where an expert trainer is available to guide you with safe techniques for you and your baby. You can also invite your friends out to watch a funny or a comic movie.Pregnancy is also the impeccable time to delight yourself in those beauty treatments you would normally not spend on. If your bump gets too big for you to paint your toenails, have a pedicure and get relaxed for someone else to do them for you. Be nice to yourself and pamper yourself.

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TAKE IT EASY – RELAX BECAUSE? YOU NEED IT
  • Plan for birth and Your family

It is always advisable to plan for your birth and your family. It is important to do all necessary arrangements for your family, especially when you have children. This is essential so that in your absence to deliver your baby, your family can continue life as normal. You can have family or close friends to help you when the need arises. More so, ensure you buy all the things you need for yourself and the baby ahead of time. You might have to do this a bit earlier when you are carrying multiple pregnancies as they turn to be delivered a bit early. These arrangements, when done ahead of time, help to eliminate the stress and anxiety that come with giving birth and managing the family.

 

  • Make Arrangement for traveling

It can be extremely tiring moving around, especially in your third trimester. If you travel long distance to work or for your business activities, then make the required arrangement to get the help you need. You should get expert advice when traveling by air or long distances. When necessary get someone to drive you and assist you with shopping for the family for instance.

Pregnancy is a natural process during which the would-be-mum would have to make important adjustments to her life in order to carry the baby. Partners of would-be-mums should equally be willing and ready to support them to go through the journey of pregnancy. Pregnant women must accept that, when you are pregnant, it is not the time to impress anyone, but rather take care of yourself and the baby and adhere to all medical advice. I am not condoning laziness during pregnancy, but it is advisable to take good care of yourself and your baby in order to have a safe delivery and a healthy baby by avoiding all complications that can arise during pregnancy because of STRESS.

 

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6 Responses

  1. Maame Agyeman

    Yes, it is very annoying when you can’t even pick something on the ground and there is no one at home to help you pick it up or you lying down reading and your book or pen falls down beside the bed ahhh, you feel soo lazy picking it up. And that alone makes you get angry and it leads to stress too.

    Sometimes you feel like eating a particular food by the time you are half way to finish the food , you will be vomiting all over, or spitting around.
    That one too can stress u up big time.

    Thanks for bringing out other ways to destress

    • ABIGAIL

      Yes it can be difficult sometimes but it is good not to stress yourself about it. Always ask & wait for help. Thanks for visiting WOMCHILD.

  2. Irene

    I totally agree….first and third trimester are really mind blowing. one would need all the help one can get. I call the second trimester the ‘enjoy whilst it lasts’ period.

    • ABIGAIL

      I will call the second trimester the same, Irene. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Do visit blog often.

  3. Geena

    Very helpful! I will definitely take things easy, relax and enjoy this pregnancy! Thank you for the tips

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