How To Manage (and Relieve) Stress During Pregnancy

 

Pregnancy is a time of change and growth as your body prepares for the miracle of life. These changes involve increased production of hormones, including pregnancy hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This influx of hormones can affect your mood, which impacts how you feel overall.

Additionally, there are many different things to think about and consider during pregnancy. Some of the things that you’ll have to figure out include how to best care for your body during pregnancy—including eating healthy and getting enough sleep—how to care for your baby once it is born, figuring out a labor and delivery plan, determining where you and the baby will live, deciding who will help you care for it, and more. Sometimes all of these changes and competing priorities bring along symptoms and side effects, like stress.

We at Life Forward are here to help during your pregnancy so you are fully informed about your reproductive health and can get the care you need. We have experienced Client Educators who are trained, willing to listen, and provide a safe and neutral environment to help you with whatever you need. 

We want you to feel heard and understood as you share intimate thoughts and feelings. We also have a team of medical professionals focusing on women’s health and well-being that you can talk to and ask questions regarding your body and your reproductive health. Please reach out to Life Forward to get started today! In order to help you stay informed and prepared during your pregnancy, we’ll share everything you need to know about managing and reducing stress during pregnancy.

Stress During Pregnancy

Just like at other points in life, stress can also occur during pregnancy. Certain levels of stress are normal and healthy. However, it’s easy for stress levels to be elevated during pregnancy and this can even lead to potential issues with your baby. With so many changes happening to your body, it can be difficult to determine whether you are stressed or you are simply experiencing a common side effect of pregnancy. Here are some of the signs of stress during pregnancy:

  • Headaches

  • Back pain

  • Overeating

  • Loss of appetite

  • Upset stomach

  • Excessive fatigue

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Teeth-grinding

  • Feelings of anger, sadness, worry, frustration, or fear

  • Increased heart rate or heart palpitations

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Decreased interest in being around other people

  • Feeling scared to be alone, or needing to always be around other people

Many of these signs are also common side effects of being pregnant, so they may not necessarily mean that you are overly stressed. Just like when you aren’t pregnant, some stress is normal and healthy. However, it’s still best to keep an eye out for these signs, especially if any of these symptoms increase in severity. You should consult with your healthcare provider about any changes in how you feel so you can address any issues that may arise. You can also reach out to us at Life Forward for assistance!

Now that we know more about the signs of stress during pregnancy and what to look for, let’s focus on the ways that you can reduce that stress.

How To Reduce Stress During Pregnancy

Stress relief during pregnancy is important in order to ensure that you and your baby stay as healthy as possible. Knowing the signs and symptoms of stress when you are pregnant is only part of the equation. The other part involves knowing the ways you can limit, manage, and reduce that stress. Here are some of the best ways to manage and reduce stress during pregnancy:

  • Take care of your body by getting enough sleep each night, exercising moderately, and eating a healthy, balanced diet

  • Avoid using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs

  • Try to avoid stressing out more because you feel stressed. Some stress is normal, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Worrying about being stressed can just make things worse

  • Avoid coping with stress in negative ways, like withdrawing from people, skipping meals, eating junk food, and sleeping to avoid problems

  • Schedule out time during your days for yourself when you can simply relax and not worry about doing anything

  • Use meditation, breathing exercises, reading, and music to help you relax and calm your mind

  • Schedule massages as a therapeutic way to help you de-stress

  • Ask for help from friends and family. We often want to do everything on our own, but that’s not always possible. Ask your loved ones for help when you need to so they can take some of the burden off of you

  • If you’re experiencing elevated levels of stress for more than a few weeks and it is affecting your daily life—how you sleep, eat, feel, and enjoy things—then reach out to a professional for help, as you may be suffering from depression. 

If you or someone you know has been experiencing stressful times with no signs of improvement, consider reaching out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Life Forward also has trained professionals who can provide support and help you navigate through any situation. Additionally, we can refer you to other community resources that can further help with your specific needs. Reach out to us today to learn more!

How Life Forward Can Help

At Life Forward, we are here to help women in the Cincinnati area who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. In addition to consultations, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds, we offer other educational and supportive services—as well as referrals to other community resources—at no cost to you.

Our staff of trained Client Educators and medical professionals will assist you and connect you to the resources and help you need. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!

 
pregnancyKevin Buckleypregnancy, pregnancy questions, pregnancy symptoms