Managing stress during and after giving birth

Preparing for and having a baby is one of the most stressful things to put your body through. Not only does it place huge demands on you physically, but the whole experience can also alter your hormone levels, leaving you stressed, sad and overwhelmed. 

If you’re feeling stressed whilst pregnant, you’re not alone. Many women find it a tough experience, often citing feeling out of control if there is a complication with the pregnancy. It might also be straining some of the relationships you value dearly. 

Thankfully, there are a few ways to mitigate these negative emotions during your pregnancy.

Reasons why you might be feeling stressed

There’s no underplaying the huge physical upheaval that happens during pregnancy. Perhaps your body is not reacting well to the pregnancy, leaving you tired, nauseous and with your hormones out of balance. There’s also a huge amount of stress that comes from unplanned events like miscarriages or other complications. 

Pregnancy might also make you anxious about the practicalities of having a child. Perhaps you’re not fully financially prepared or the addition of another person in your life will mean you having to move house or find a new job.

Simply put, there are countless opportunities in which stress can arise during pregnancy. 

Ask questions if you’re unsure

If you are having your first child, there will be a lot of things that you have to learn along the way. However, if you notice something unusual, always ask. Not only will it hopefully put your mind to rest, but medical professionals will also spot irregularities far sooner before they become serious. You could also join a mum’s group so you feel less alone with your experiences. 

Sometimes medical professionals don’t always get it right. If you think you’ve been a victim of medical negligence during your pregnancy, contact a professional straight away.

Keep active

You might feel like you can’t do all the things you used to love, but pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to resign to weeks on the couch. Staying active is an important part of keeping stress at bay and maintaining your health and strength before the baby comes. 

Start low and slow with relaxed walks. If you feel like you want to push it a bit harder, build up slowly, making sure that you don’t put you or the baby in any danger.

Get plenty of sleep

Growing a baby is exhausting for your body and brain. It’s important that you get enough sleep in order to stay calm during the pregnancy. Try a pregnancy pillow if you can’t get comfortable and invest in some soothing oils and creams to help you drift off.