Your Mental Health and Pregnancy and How to Cope
One thing that excites a woman so much is finding out she is pregnant. But it can also cause discomfort, making you worry about coping and getting through it. This article will discuss your mental health and pregnancy and how to cope.
The discomfort during pregnancy doesn’t magically go away when the child is born. While some moms find it easy to cope, others don’t.
Your Mental Health, Pregnancy, and Changes
Pregnancy is full of emotions—some good, some bad. Just recognize that there are lots of places to find help.
When you are pregnant, your body changes in many ways. You begin to have backache, morning sickness, itchiness, and constipation, which are all pregnancy-related realities.
While others worry about what the pregnancy journey will look like, others worry about how a new baby will affect their relationship.
You might experience some or all of these fears during your pregnancy. They are all ordinary worries. It could be something more serious, such as perinatal depression or anxiety if these emotions of melancholy, worry, or anxiety begin to interfere with your life.
Up to one in ten pregnant women experience depression, according to PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia).
The good news is that with help and therapy, you can have a healthy pregnancy and baby even if you have a current or former mental health illness.
The most essential step is to talk about it; inform the medical professional in charge of the pregnancy of your mental health situation. And mention your pregnancy to your mental health professional.
You can manage both your pregnancy and your mental health with their combined assistance.
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Expecting a Child?
It is not only mothers that worry about a new baby, When welcoming a new member of the family, it can also be a complicated time for fathers and partners, who may worry about being a good partner and parent, how a baby will affect their lifestyle, or how they will deal with the added responsibilities.
But don’t worry – we’re here to help! We know what it’s like to have those feelings of uncertainty and worry about whether or not you’re up for the job.
But we can assure you that it does get easier with time and practice! And even if it doesn’t feel like it at first, rest assured that your partner knows how much you care about them and this new addition to your family.
Prenatal and Postnatal Depression
Prenatal depression is incredibly common, with about one in every five expecting mothers experiencing it at some point during their pregnancy.
But postnatal depression (PND) is also a reality for many new moms. It occurs when a woman has a baby and her body doesn’t go back to normal like it’s supposed to do after having a child.
With postnatal depression, women can feel extremely sad or anxious all the time even when they’re holding their baby or spending time with family or friends.
And because PND affects every woman differently, there’s no one way to tell if you’re suffering from it; only you know how you’re feeling inside compared to how you normally feel when things are going well in your life.
If this sounds like something that might be happening to you right now or has happened to you in the past, don’t worry help is available!
Talk to your doctor or midwife about what options are available in your area; they’ll be able to help find someone who can offer support based on what’s right for you and your family.
Symptoms of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety
-feeling sad or empty
-feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks
-having trouble sleeping or waking up often during the night
-being anxious about things that used to be easy
-not enjoying activities you used to enjoy
-thinking about hurting yourself or your baby
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please reach out and get help. Talking about how you’re feeling can make all the difference in the world. You are not alone.
There is nothing wrong with you; this is not something you should be ashamed of. You be safe and healthy for you and your baby.
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Take Care of Yourself
Pregnancy can be a very exciting time, but it’s important not to forget about your mental health.
During this time, you may experience some mood swings or feel down sometimes. That’s normal! It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you; it just means that your body is going through some hormonal changes.
Here are some things that have helped me during my pregnancy:
-Talking to someone who understands what you’re going through (your partner, friends, or family members)
-Doing something you enjoy (reading a book, watching TV shows or movies)
-Meditating or practicing mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or yoga
-Writing in a journal about how you’re feeling
-Getting enough sleep and eating well (this one goes without saying!)