Health & Wellness

Managing Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy

While it’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, it might be time to seek mental health help if your worries become too much.

Managing stress is an excellent way to prevent preeclampsia, premature birth and even a poor baby’s development. You can do this by making time for yourself, getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet.

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Exercise

Experts say exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy. Exercising releases hormones like endorphins in your brain that can make you feel better.

It also increases your energy levels, helps keep you hydrated and helps prevent common pregnancy problems like heartburn and morning sickness.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 2 1/2 hours a week (approximately 30 minutes each day) of moderate exercise. If you have never been physically active before, start slowly with 15 minutes a day three times a week and then increase this to 30 minutes each day four days a week or more as you feel comfortable.

Exercise can be anything from a walk around the park or a trip to the gym to a session with a personal trainer or a group class at the local community center. Just be sure to tell the instructor you’re pregnant so they can adjust the intensity of the workout for you.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a great way to calm your body and reduce stress and anxiety for expectant mothers Texas. It’s easy to do and can be done anywhere, including sitting in a chair or lying on the floor.

Breathing slowly and deeply can help quiet your nervous system and improve your focus, attention and mood. It also can relieve pain and lower your blood pressure.

Inhale through your nose, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Try to breathe in for four counts and out for six.

Repeat this pattern for a few minutes. After around 5 minutes, move to chest breathing. This causes the rib cage and thoracic cavity to expand, providing more space for oxygen.

Breathing exercises are helpful for anyone suffering from anxiety and stress but can be particularly beneficial for pregnant women. This is because they provide more oxygen to your baby and enable your body to relax and de-stress.

Talk to Someone

Pregnancy can be a time of tremendous change. Some changes are welcomed, while others can feel overwhelming and cause stress and anxiety.

High levels of stress can affect your mental health, as well as the health of your baby. It can lead to problems such as preterm birth or a low-birthweight baby.

Talking to someone about your concerns can help you feel more in control of your emotions. This may include a friend, family member or even a therapist.

You can also talk to your doctor or midwife about the amount of stress you’re feeling and what you can do to deal with it. They can refer you to a therapist trained to work with pregnant women.

Some of the most effective stress management methods are exercise, deep breathing and sleep. These can all be done to help you stay healthy and happy during pregnancy.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial to your mental and your baby’s health. It is essential during pregnancy.

A lack of sleep can cause stress and anxiety that are hard to manage and may even keep you awake at night. Talking to someone about your concerns can help you figure out what might be causing you to feel stressed and anxious.

If you are feeling chronically tired and need to sleep more than usual, it is also essential to see a doctor who can check for any medical conditions that could be causing your fatigue.

One of the most common issues for pregnant women is that they can’t get the recommended amount of sleep. They need at least six hours of sleep at night to ensure they are well-rested and healthy for their pregnancy.