Stress during pregnancy: how to combat it

 Conflicts, rushes and stress are part of our daily routine. During pregnancy, these situations can cause stress for the future mother. Discover the keys to enjoying a calm pregnancy without stress.

When stress is intense or prolonged, it can harm the health of the pregnant woman and the child. In fact, women who have high levels of stress during pregnancy are more likely to have their babies born underweight and, above all, are more likely to suffer premature births.

In addition, stress makes you take more medications, it is more difficult to quit smoking, you do not rest, your diet is unbalanced..., all of these are habits that are not at all beneficial for a pregnant woman.

Why does stress arise?

The first step to combat stress during pregnancy  is to find out what causes it:

Avoid tension

Nervousness, difficulties falling asleep, nightmares, anxiety, eating disorders, irritability, emotional instability ... are symptoms that can make us suspect that there is a stress problem. Feeling more tired than normal or complaining of diffuse pain (headache, back) can also be manifestations of a situation of this type.

The first step would be to consult with the gynecologist to confirm that everything is going well. The pregnant woman should tell you about her state of anxiety, the symptoms she has, and the worries that overwhelm her, and ask about all those aspects of pregnancy and childbirth that scare us.

When the anguish is intense or persists over time, it is advisable to seek psychological help. Psychotherapy can help discover the reasons and overcome fears.

Small changes to your daily routine can often lead to a calmer life and keep stress and anxiety at bay. Accepting the limitations that pregnancy imposes, reducing activity, and seeking support from those around us can be good antidotes to stress.

Keys to keep stress at bay

• Take advantage of your free time to relax by doing quiet activities such as reading, walking or listening to music.
• Ask your partner, family, and friends for help.
• Evaluate the possibility of hiring a person to help clean the house or take care of the children.
• If there are work problems, share them with your partner.
• Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
• Do not combat nervousness by smoking, drinking alcohol, or drinking more coffee. Do not consume medications without consulting your doctor.
• Talk to other women about the fears generated by pregnancy and childbirth: externalizing feelings helps reduce tension.
• Avoid stressful situations as much as possible. If important changes are anticipated, it is better to postpone them.
• At work, don't be afraid to say "no", take frequent breaks, avoid spending too much time in the same position, don't work overtime, and ask for help in case of overload.
• Do not skip childbirth preparation classes. The information they offer, the relaxation techniques they teach, and the possibility of sharing experiences with other pregnant women are good weapons to combat anxiety.

Each case is different

Not all of us react the same to the same stimuli. The way of being, the way in which each person faces the conflicts and tensions that arise, is decisive in evaluating stressful situations.

Psychologists affirm that when a person has high levels of anxiety it is because they have a personality prone to it. What is stressful for some women may not be stressful for others.