Stress and pregnancy seem to go together all too easily. Some women have the capacity to just left stuff go. If you're one of them, good for you; pregnancy, and everything else, likely, will be a lot easier for you.
Others of us, though, are not so blessed. We have to wrestle with our darker thoughts, doubts and fears. These take the form of recurring questions for a pregnant woman. She wonders if her baby will be healthy. Is she eating properly? Is her sleep and exercise doing well for the baby? If she is a first time mom, naturally, she will often be grappling with her anxieties about whether she'll be a good mother.
I don't buy the story that stress is an unmitigated evil. That, it seems to me, is the talk of shallow sandal wearing, granola eaters. Stress contributes much to our ability to create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
Excessive and chronic stress, though, is a whole different kettle of fish. The one truly completely unproductive kind of stress is stress about stress. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is as understandable and common as it is ill-advised.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for yourself.
When you find yourself getting stressed about whether you're too stressed, then, it is probably a good idea to do something about it. If you feel as though that's your situation, there are two strategies I'd like you to consider: communicating and taking inventory.
Communicating is important in a number of ways. Share your worries and doubts with your partner. Yes, for some women, their pregnancy stress is directly related to their partner: wondering how he is going to react to all these new feelings and responsibilities.
Even if you feel that way about him, communicating is still the best policy. You could be surprised how relieved he might feel to have an opportunity to talk about it and feel less alone once you share your own unease. All the life changes of pregnancy are a lot for either of you to go through alone. And, even if he is totally fine with everything, the benefits to you are still immense. Just being able to express your doubts or fears can provide an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
And, of course, don't forget your friends. Don't assume that they can only be comforts to you if they're experienced mothers. Of course there can be a great benefit in talking to those who have been through it all. Even if not, though, sometimes just reminding yourself about your wonderful support network can be immensely comforting.
The other strategy is to take inventory. If you're worried you're not eating enough or the right food. Not exercising enough. Whatever. Don't stew in self doubt.
Lady, you're living in the World Wide Web Age: make use of it. Never in history has it been easier to research health information from credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals. When you start stressing about whether your choices are good ones, stop stressing and find out what's really true. If you've doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. In all likelihood, what you'll find out, though, is that you're doing just fine. Hopefully that knowledge will put your mind at ease - not only for the issue at hand, but also for the next time you're seized with a moment of self doubt.
However, it is true, that for some women, none of this solves the problem. If that's you, well, then, maybe you're just a worrier by disposition. Hey, some of us are wired that way; what's to be done? Well, that's still no reason to descend into a spiral of stressing over stress. There are many exercises you can undertake that have been time tested remedies to psychological stress, through the reduction of physical stress. Top of the list to start would be yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, and warm baths. These things work!
And, give yourself time to relax. Many women are just too accustomed to being on top of everything for everyone. If that's your nature, so be it. But while you're pregnant, you need to let go a little bit. Put your feet up and let others bear some of the responsibility for a while. If you work outside of the home, don't be ashamed of taking off some sick days. Even if you're not technically sick. I mean, really, aren't you already doing the most important job of your life: bringing a happy, healthy child into the world?
Generally, stress becomes a serious problem only if we allow it. Nip it in the bud when you see it coming. Refuse to allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts. Nothing good comes from pointless or directionless worry. A far better use of that great imagination of yours is the excited anticipation of that beautiful baby of yours, on its way. Here's hoping the suggestions above assist you in letting go of your stress and pregnancy concerns, and having a wonderful pregnancy.
Others of us, though, are not so blessed. We have to wrestle with our darker thoughts, doubts and fears. These take the form of recurring questions for a pregnant woman. She wonders if her baby will be healthy. Is she eating properly? Is her sleep and exercise doing well for the baby? If she is a first time mom, naturally, she will often be grappling with her anxieties about whether she'll be a good mother.
I don't buy the story that stress is an unmitigated evil. That, it seems to me, is the talk of shallow sandal wearing, granola eaters. Stress contributes much to our ability to create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
Excessive and chronic stress, though, is a whole different kettle of fish. The one truly completely unproductive kind of stress is stress about stress. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is as understandable and common as it is ill-advised.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for yourself.
When you find yourself getting stressed about whether you're too stressed, then, it is probably a good idea to do something about it. If you feel as though that's your situation, there are two strategies I'd like you to consider: communicating and taking inventory.
Communicating is important in a number of ways. Share your worries and doubts with your partner. Yes, for some women, their pregnancy stress is directly related to their partner: wondering how he is going to react to all these new feelings and responsibilities.
Even if you feel that way about him, communicating is still the best policy. You could be surprised how relieved he might feel to have an opportunity to talk about it and feel less alone once you share your own unease. All the life changes of pregnancy are a lot for either of you to go through alone. And, even if he is totally fine with everything, the benefits to you are still immense. Just being able to express your doubts or fears can provide an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
And, of course, don't forget your friends. Don't assume that they can only be comforts to you if they're experienced mothers. Of course there can be a great benefit in talking to those who have been through it all. Even if not, though, sometimes just reminding yourself about your wonderful support network can be immensely comforting.
The other strategy is to take inventory. If you're worried you're not eating enough or the right food. Not exercising enough. Whatever. Don't stew in self doubt.
Lady, you're living in the World Wide Web Age: make use of it. Never in history has it been easier to research health information from credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals. When you start stressing about whether your choices are good ones, stop stressing and find out what's really true. If you've doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. In all likelihood, what you'll find out, though, is that you're doing just fine. Hopefully that knowledge will put your mind at ease - not only for the issue at hand, but also for the next time you're seized with a moment of self doubt.
However, it is true, that for some women, none of this solves the problem. If that's you, well, then, maybe you're just a worrier by disposition. Hey, some of us are wired that way; what's to be done? Well, that's still no reason to descend into a spiral of stressing over stress. There are many exercises you can undertake that have been time tested remedies to psychological stress, through the reduction of physical stress. Top of the list to start would be yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, and warm baths. These things work!
And, give yourself time to relax. Many women are just too accustomed to being on top of everything for everyone. If that's your nature, so be it. But while you're pregnant, you need to let go a little bit. Put your feet up and let others bear some of the responsibility for a while. If you work outside of the home, don't be ashamed of taking off some sick days. Even if you're not technically sick. I mean, really, aren't you already doing the most important job of your life: bringing a happy, healthy child into the world?
Generally, stress becomes a serious problem only if we allow it. Nip it in the bud when you see it coming. Refuse to allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts. Nothing good comes from pointless or directionless worry. A far better use of that great imagination of yours is the excited anticipation of that beautiful baby of yours, on its way. Here's hoping the suggestions above assist you in letting go of your stress and pregnancy concerns, and having a wonderful pregnancy.
About the Author:
If you or someone you know is coping with an excessively stressful pregnancy, you should be staying abreast of all the news and tips available on the Stress and Pregnancy website. Also, have a look at this concise, articulate video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
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