“I am pregnant, and I am stressed! Help me!”

Sounds familiar? Don’t worry – you’re not the only one. The word “ pregnancy ” causes stress to most women, especially to first-time moms. Biological, emotional and cognitive changes, in addition to sudden changes in lifestyle, cause enormous stress to the expecting mother.

It is important to note that when you’re pregnant, your fetus is dependent on you. The baby inside you is not so capable of handling stress. Stress during pregnancy can mount an inflammatory response leading to premature birth and developmental delays. It also affects the cognition of the child in the long term.

Although, there’s no need to worry! All you need to do is follow these tips to handle stress during pregnancy:

Accept the fact that you can be stressed.

Many women feel that they will never get stressed out. Even when they are stressed, they think that they can handle it by themselves and that seeking help would hamper their self-image of being strong and independent. If you are a like this, then you have to understand that pregnancy invariably causes stress. Developing this acceptance is the first step. Many women who take time to accept this usually seek help very late.

Recommended Read: Tips to Handle Stress During Pregnancy

Identify the stressor

What causes the stress? Is it just the anticipation of becoming a mom or any other serious issue? Is it proportionate or overblown? If you find it stressful to work like you did before, you should reduce or stay away from work. Remember, Managing stress without managing the stressor is not a good idea.

Rest and sleep

When you’re expecting, you tend to get exhausted soon, so make a habit of resting more than usual. Resting and sleeping help improve blood circulation, help conserve energy, and prepare you mentally for the journey ahead.

Recommended Read: Things To Know While Getting Pregnant if You Have PCOS

Get the right nutrition

Most of the American women on a toxic diet tend to face problems with nutrition during pregnancy. You need to eat right because your baby is also feeding through you. Make sure you get all the necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, etc. in the right amount. Omega 3 fatty acids present in fish are essential for the development of the fetus. Consult your dietician to see if you are on track to a healthy motherhood.

Exercise

Physical changes are more profound during pregnancy. You gain more than 20 pounds, and the baby has to be delivered through the functioning of the muscles of the midsection and pelvis. So, exercise is essential to improve blood circulation, gain a healthy appetite, develop healthy sleeping patterns, and condition your body for delivering the baby.

Listen to music

Listening to music has a profound effect on stress. It is an immediate stress buster. Research shows that babies listen and enjoy music even when they are in the womb of their mothers. So listen to healthy melodious music that keeps you happy. What keeps you happy will keep the baby happy too.

Recommended Read: Bleeding During Pregnancy: All You Need to Know

Seek help

Here comes an important part of beating stress. Never be hesitant to seek help. Talk to your spouse, your parents, or friends who have been through similar experiences. Keep yourself informed about the pregnancy progress to avoid anything catching you off guard. If it is too difficult to handle the stress, you can always consult a psychologist or a therapist.

So, if you follow these easy tips, you will not need to stress about being stressed. These tips will help you take good care of your emotional well-being and also help you have a healthy pregnancy.