By Katrina Kaleesy
Like a horse and carriage, stress and pregnancy tend to go together. If you're one of those who can just let it all slide like water off a duck's back, good for you.
The rest of us have to bear the burden of our doubts and anxieties. In pregnancy, of course, it's the endless voice in our head, wondering if the baby will be healthy. Are we eating properly? Sleeping and exercising enough? And, of course, for us first timers, there's the age old doubt: will I be a good mother?
I've never been persuaded by those who would have us regard stress as some sin or evil. Stress can be a very productive force in our lives. It facilitates our creativity, achievement and the ability to meet our 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.
Communication is of course important in most things. It has particularly therapeutic benefits in pregnancy. To begin with, it is important to talk about your concerns with your partner. I'm well aware that your pregnancy stress could have in fact a lot to do with your partner: particularly worrying over his feelings and reactions.
Even if that's your situation, don't refrain from discussing it with him. He might actually feel relieved at the opportunity to let out what's been feeling bottled up. And his feeling more relaxed will likely relax you, too. And even if your stress has nothing to do with him and he's totally cool with everything, often just being able to express your doubts or fears is an amazing elixir.
Not only is there comfort in knowing you're going through this together, but it is often surprising to discover how quickly bad thoughts dispel into nothing once finally stated: like germs exposed to fresh air and sunshine. Letting the bad stuff fester is never healthy.
Talking to friends is also valuable, whether they're experienced with pregnancy or not. Feeling the strength of your support network can go a long ways in making you feel stronger.
The second strategy I'd ask you to consider is inventory taking. It's understandable to wonder about how your eating or exercising practices might affect your baby. Don't stress about it, though. If you have questions, answer them!
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.
Finally, if neither of these strategies work for you, perhaps you're just overly prone to worry. Some of us are like that. Then, try engaging in activities known for inducing relaxed states. Yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, warm baths are old standbys.
Finally, as a general rule, please, expecting mom, give yourself time and space to relax. If you're a chronic worrier, it is likely that you're used to always feeling like you have organize and double check everything for everyone. If that's your nature then I say, in general, so be it. You are who you are, right? However, maybe, just while you're pregnant, you might want to give yourself a little break from all that. Once in a while you've got to put up your feet and chill. Others can handle the responsibility for a while. And another thing: if you have a job outside of the home, don't hesitate to take some time off. Cash in some of those sick days. After all, aren't you working 24 hours a day on the biggest job of all?
Stress only becomes a serious problem when we let it. Cut it off at the pass when you sense it arising and never allow yourself to dwell pointlessly upon negative thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with the peaceful anticipation of how wonderful your new baby is going to be. I hope that the suggestions above go a long way in helping you do so, and contribute to resolving your stress and pregnancy concerns.
The rest of us have to bear the burden of our doubts and anxieties. In pregnancy, of course, it's the endless voice in our head, wondering if the baby will be healthy. Are we eating properly? Sleeping and exercising enough? And, of course, for us first timers, there's the age old doubt: will I be a good mother?
I've never been persuaded by those who would have us regard stress as some sin or evil. Stress can be a very productive force in our lives. It facilitates our creativity, achievement and the ability to meet our 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.
Communication is of course important in most things. It has particularly therapeutic benefits in pregnancy. To begin with, it is important to talk about your concerns with your partner. I'm well aware that your pregnancy stress could have in fact a lot to do with your partner: particularly worrying over his feelings and reactions.
Even if that's your situation, don't refrain from discussing it with him. He might actually feel relieved at the opportunity to let out what's been feeling bottled up. And his feeling more relaxed will likely relax you, too. And even if your stress has nothing to do with him and he's totally cool with everything, often just being able to express your doubts or fears is an amazing elixir.
Not only is there comfort in knowing you're going through this together, but it is often surprising to discover how quickly bad thoughts dispel into nothing once finally stated: like germs exposed to fresh air and sunshine. Letting the bad stuff fester is never healthy.
Talking to friends is also valuable, whether they're experienced with pregnancy or not. Feeling the strength of your support network can go a long ways in making you feel stronger.
The second strategy I'd ask you to consider is inventory taking. It's understandable to wonder about how your eating or exercising practices might affect your baby. Don't stress about it, though. If you have questions, answer them!
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.
Finally, if neither of these strategies work for you, perhaps you're just overly prone to worry. Some of us are like that. Then, try engaging in activities known for inducing relaxed states. Yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, warm baths are old standbys.
Finally, as a general rule, please, expecting mom, give yourself time and space to relax. If you're a chronic worrier, it is likely that you're used to always feeling like you have organize and double check everything for everyone. If that's your nature then I say, in general, so be it. You are who you are, right? However, maybe, just while you're pregnant, you might want to give yourself a little break from all that. Once in a while you've got to put up your feet and chill. Others can handle the responsibility for a while. And another thing: if you have a job outside of the home, don't hesitate to take some time off. Cash in some of those sick days. After all, aren't you working 24 hours a day on the biggest job of all?
Stress only becomes a serious problem when we let it. Cut it off at the pass when you sense it arising and never allow yourself to dwell pointlessly upon negative thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with the peaceful anticipation of how wonderful your new baby is going to be. I hope that the suggestions above go a long way in helping you do so, and contribute to resolving your stress and pregnancy concerns.
About the Author:
If you or someone you know is coping with an unusually stressful pregnancy, you need to follow all the great info available on the Stress and Pregnancy website. Also, check out this concise, articulate video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
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