Top 5 Tips to Help You Remain Stress Free During Pregnancy

Being pregnant is both wonderful and difficult as you know that a new life is on the way but that you're physically tired, sore and emotional. On top of this you're trying your hardest to stay cool and calm as stressful situations can easily cause problems for both yourself and your unborn child. Below is my list on how to remain stress free during pregnancy and ensure all is well for yourself and your baby.

• Do Things In Your Own Time

Rushing tasks and jobs that need doing or being pushed into working faster than you are comfortable with sometimes happens in everyday life and these are things we have to bear when deadlines are looming, but these things certainly cause stress and tension to build. This is bad enough when you are not pregnant, but it is a definite no-no when you are carrying a child. The stress of being pushed further and quicker than you are able is not good for you or your baby, so take your time and do not rush, your bosses will understand and allow you further time.

• Ensure You Relax Often

The days of being pregnant will be long and arduous as the physical exertion of carrying around another person will take its toll on you and your body. As a result of this, you need as much downtime as humanly possible in the evenings and at weekends, as well as often as possible during the day. Do what is most relaxing for you, have a long soak in the bath with some relaxing music, watch your favour TV shows/movies or read. Whatever allows you to turn off your brain and just relax in your own world.

• Talk About Things

If stress is getting to you, the best way to get rid of it and ensure that the harmful effects do not affect you is to talk about your problems with a person who has lived through the situation before and has experience in dealing with the problems. There are plenty of support groups to help mothers out during pregnancy and, for the most part, family members will be glad to help out and lend a kind ear as well as advice. You can also discuss any issues with your partner and they'll be able provide further assistance around the home.

• Treat Yourself

Take time away from the daily grind to indulge yourself and eliminate the causes of stress, upset and hassle by doing what you want when you want to do it. Those opportunities are going to be few and far between once your bundle of joy arrives, so taking the time to ensure you are happy with things is essential. I enjoyed a couple of weekend breaks to other parts of the country and regular (alcohol free) nights out to comedy clubs and going for meals with friends during the early parts of my pregnancy to feel completed relaxed and refreshed.

• Be Knowledgeable

One of the biggest causes of stress during pregnancy comes from the uncertainty of how things will go once you've had the child. To breast feed or not? How will you survive on so little sleep? Will the birth and the baby be ok? There are many, many things to worry about and they can certainly get to you if you allow them to. The best way to combat these to is read up and speak to other mothers on everything on your mind to decide the best course of action long before the birth. The confidence in knowing what you are going to do and when it will be done is calming and soothing, making the whole process much easier and relaxing for you.