Feelings Relationships And Pregnancy
Pregnancy can mean the beginning of a new stage in a womans life, with all the changes that new stage can bring. People talk about obvious ones cravings, fatigue, nausea, body shape but there are also situations like negotiating new working arrangements and reworking your finances that can make this a difficult time.
As well as physical, financial and social changes, many women experience emotional changes during pregnancy too. Mixed emotions are a normal and necessary part of preparing to become a parent.
Like unexpected physical health complications , mental health problems can affect any woman during pregnancy. Talking about your feelings can be the first step towards feeling better.
It’s very important to look after yourself and recognise if you are finding it difficult to manage from day to day. If you have been feeling sad, down, worried or anxious for a while and this is starting to affect your life, it’s time to seek help.
Ask Someone You Trust To Support You At The Birth
Just because you don’t have a partner doesn’t mean you have to go to antenatal visits by yourself and cope with labour on your own. You have the right to take whoever you like: a friend, sister or perhaps your mum.
Involve your birth partner in antenatal classes if you can, and let him or her know what you want from them. It may help to discuss your birth plan with them so that they understand your wishes for labour.
If you do not have a partner you can also ask your midwife if there are antenatal classes in your area that are run especially for single women.
Why Can’t I Sleep In Pregnancy
Its normal to feel tired in pregnancy so try not to get frustrated with yourself, as getting worked up can only cause more sleeplessness. Your baby is growing, and your expanding bump is understandably making it hard for you to get comfortable at night.
Changes in your hormones also add to tiredness in the first trimester . Experiencing heartburn, nausea and needing to wee more often are all normal symptoms .
Also, you might have worries about what itll be like when your baby arrives adding to those sleepless nights.
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Your Emotions During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a challenging and exciting time. It is normal for expectant mums and dads to experience ups and downs when expecting a baby. However, for some, anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect their daily lives.
Look out for these symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy:
- panic attacks
- persistent, generalised worry, such as fears for the health or wellbeing of the baby
- obsessive or compulsive behaviours
- feeling constantly sad, low or crying for no obvious reason
- being nervous, on edge or panicky
If symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, talk to your GP or midwife.
How Long Does A Cold During Pregnancy Last
Cold symptoms generally last 10 to 14 days. And yes, sorry to say, you can get a brand new cold just as the last one is ending, so if it feels like you always have the sniffles, you may be right.
However, if your symptoms persist past 10 to 14 days, or seem to be getting progressively worse, let your practitioner know. He or she will want to make sure your never-ending cold isnt evolving into something more serious, like a secondary infection or the flu.
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What Feelings Can Happen
Mood swings are normal during pregnancy. But if you feel nervous or down all the time, it could be a sign of something deeper going on. Stress over being pregnant, changes in your body during the pregnancy, and everyday worries can take a toll.
Some pregnant women may have depression or anxiety:
- Depression is sadness or feeling down or irritable for weeks or months at a time. Some women may have depression before getting pregnant. But it also can start during pregnancy for a number of reasons for example, if a woman isn’t happy about being pregnant or is dealing with a lot of stress at work or at home.
- Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear over things that might happen. If you worry a lot anyway, many things can stress you out during pregnancy. You might worry that you won’t be a good mother or that you can’t afford to raise a baby.
Pregnant women may have other mental health issues, such as:
- bipolar disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- eating disorders
It’s important to treat mental health concerns during pregnancy. Mothers who are depressed, anxious, or have another issue might not get the medical care they need. They might not take care of themselves, or they may use drugs and alcohol during the pregnancy. All of these things can harm a growing baby.
If you have a mental health issue, talk with your doctor so you can get the help you need during and after your pregnancy.
Ways To Feel Amazing During Pregnancy
Being on my second pregnancy, Ive had the beautiful chance to reflect on and compare the two, and figure out what makes me feel like the best me. Because lets face it, life doesnt stop when your second baby comes along. In fact, it speeds up! You have to upgrade your space, raise a child and, in my case, work through it all. So Ive tried to distill the top five things that have made me feel pretty amazing this go-round in hopes that it may help other mamas as they consider how to best maximize this crazy journey that is pregnancy, and the miracle that is motherhood. Read on to check how I learned how to feel amazing during pregnancy.
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Avoiding The Morning Sickness
Morning sickness affects nearly 70% of women and is not limited only to the morning . In fact, morning sickness or nausea and vomiting in pregnancy as its known too can happen at any time of day or night .
It can help to eat small quantities of plain food, like toast or rice crackers, before you go to bed, as having an empty stomach can make you feel more sick. Keeping hydrated can help as well. Avoid very greasy or sugary food, as this can be harder to digest and make you feel more sick .
Massage And Spa Treatments
A spa day can be a real treat during pregnancy. Massage relieves tension and soothes muscle aches and pains. Find a massage therapist certified in prenatal massage, and always check with your doctor first. Many spa treatments are safe, but avoid those that raise your body temperature, such as mud baths and sauna sessions. Your skin may be more sensitive than usual to other spa treatments, like facials.
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Move In Whatever Ways Are Helpful And Safe For You
Exercise actually helps me overcome the nausea, Laura T., 31, tells SELF. I’ve done everything from long walks to lifting at the gym. Maybe it’s just a distraction, but it helps.
The distraction factor can definitely be beneficial when all you can focus on is first-trimester suckiness. As we mentioned above, regular exercise during pregnancy can help promote better physical and mental health as long as its medically safe for you to do that level of physical activity. Just remember to cut yourself some slack on days that you dont feel like you can do your full workout, Dr. Dawson-Chalat says. All movement is good, whether its walking, swimming, dancing, elliptical, yogait all counts.
Be Sure To Get In Prenatal Exercise
Carve out 30 minutes a day for activity.
At this busy time of year, it is far too easy to get so wrapped up in the daily grind that day after day goes by and you havent made time to squeeze in that workout.
Exercise gives you endorphins, helps you sleep better, and improves your overall health.
If you cant seem to find even 20 minutes a day right now, get creative. Do lunges while you vacuum the house, park extra far away when you go grocery shopping, and do some calf raises while you do the dishes. Be sure you know how to exercise safely in pregnancy.
Exercise will help you:
- ease pregnancy-related aches and pains
- prepare for labor
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Sleeping Comfortably: A Pregnancy Pillow Might Help
Pregnancy pillows, or just an extra regular pillow, are often the favourite sleep aid of expectant mums. They can help support your bump or legs in bed and make you more comfy as your tummy gets bigger. You can also use them to relax on the sofa while youre reading or watching TV.
You may fall in love with your big maternity pillows so much that you want to carry on using them after your baby is born. And coincidentally, they make great breastfeeding support cushions too!
The Myth Of Hysteria And Morning Sickness
Unrelenting morning sickness can have a profound effect on your quality of life, preventing you from working, socialising and looking after your other children.Pregnant women enduring morning sickness report higher levels of psychological stress, including anxiety and depression. This prompted the false belief that morning sickness is purely psychosomatic, which means that the womans fears and anxieties trigger her physical discomfort. However, there is no research to support these claims.
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Have Breakfast In Bed
Oddly enough, you may feel the most nausea first thing in the morning, even though you havent eaten anything for 6-8 hours. Why is that? That hungry feeling you get first thing in the morning, along with the low blood sugar that goes with it, is your bodys way of saying, Feed me!
But when youre pregnant, both an empty stomach and low blood sugar can make morning sickness worse. And it certainly doesnt get any better when you get up and start moving around.
Want a simple solution for nausea first thing in the morning? Eat breakfast in bed. Yes, you read that correctly. Eat breakfast in bed. We recommend sticking with dry products like toast or cereal.
They might not be your first choice for breakfast, but those foods actually do two things: they provide your body with quick calories that boost blood sugar levels and they absorb some of the acids associated with feeling like you want to throw up.
How Can I Get Help
If you feel anxious or depressed, talk to a doctor, counselor, or therapist, and get help right away. The sooner treatment starts, the sooner you’ll feel better.
Also talk to a doctor about your overall health and any mental health issues you’ve had in the past. It’s best for your doctor to know your full medical history, in case anything comes up during or after your pregnancy.
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Dont Take Iron With Calcium
The body, vitamins, and minerals, are complex things. If youre taking more than one vitamin or mineral at the same time, theres the possibility that only one will be absorbed!
In the case taking iron and calcium together, calcium is the one being absorbed.
So, dont take your iron with a glass of milk, or within an hour or 2 before or after having a lot of calcium. Or, it would be like you never took your iron at all!
Ways To Explain What Being Pregnant Feels Like
- 6 min read
Pregnancy is difficult for many! It also can be heaven for many. The consensus is that it is different for all. Every pregnancy comes with its share of feelings that will take a pregnant mother out of their comfort zone. You have no idea what you are feeling. You have no idea what to expect. Your first pregnancy may be different than your second, and your second may be different from your fifth. The important thing to remember is that mothers are built for it, and your bodies can endure a lot. We should be open to the changes, talk to other mothers, and inform your doctor of anything out of the ordinary. This article will focus on some simple things that you may be feeling during your pregnancy.
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Never Leave Home Without Antacids
Constant snacking can come with a catch: dreaded heartburn, which is even more likely when youre expecting. In pregnancy, the valve between the stomach and the esophagus relaxes, and refluxes up into the esophagus, Dr. Minkin says. Enter symptoms like a burning chest and bitter taste flooding your mouth.
Lauren W., 30, tells SELF that she really relied on antacids to combat these issues during pregnancy. These kinds of meds work to neutralize the stomach acid underlying heartburn, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Antacids often rely on calcium to do their job, so you should make sure you’re not having so many that you’re surpassing the medically established tolerable upper intake level for this nutrient. According to the National Institutes of Health, the tolerable upper intake level of calcium for pregnant people 19 and over is 2,500 milligrams per day. Regularly going beyond that may increase your risk of issues like calcium-based kidney stonesnot something you want to deal with ever, but especially not when pregnant.
To further fight heartburn, Dr. Minkin recommends elevating your head while you sleep. Let gravity be your friend and help keep the acid in the stomach, she says.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Spending time with people you care about can help to ground you in the present, reduce anxiety, and decrease stress. Talking to a loved one can also be a surefire way to get some laughs in, which can be mood changing.
Spending time with people you love can help you to feel connected to them. These connections can be a powerful source of encouragement and offer support during pregnancy.
As mentioned earlier, has shown that women adjust better during the transition to motherhood when they have satisfying, authentic relationships.
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What Can I Do To Feel Better If I Have Morning Sickness
There are a few things you can do to feel better. These include:
- Eat a few crackers or toast in the morning to help settle your stomach. Keep a few crackers at bedside and eat a couple before getting up.
- Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.
- Avoid spicy and fatty foods. Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, dry toast, plain baked potato, gelatin, broth, eggs, tofu, or applesauce.
- Eat healthy snacks between meals, such as yogurt, peanut butter on apple slices or celery, cheese, milk, or nuts.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, throughout the day.
- Take your prenatal vitamins with a snack. If your prenatal vitamin contains iron, try taking it at bedtime. Talk with your doctor about other vitamin options.
- Avoid odors, flickering lights, other situations that bother you and trigger your nausea.
- Make tea with real grated ginger or try ginger candies.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Keep rooms well ventilated, turn on a fan, or go outside from time to time to get some fresh air.
- Smell fresh-smelling, pleasant scents such as lemon, orange, or mint.
Other methods may help reduce nausea. Talk with your healthcare provider before trying these:
- Acupressure wrist band. These bands apply pressure to certain points on the wrist.
- Acupuncture. In this treatment method, thin needles are put into the skin.
Do not use marijuana to treat morning sickness! It has not been shown to be safe for your baby during pregnancy.
When To See Your Doctor
Continue to visit your doctor for ongoing prenatal appointments. Usually, these occur about once a month. Ask your doctor questions about the process and tell them about any concerns you have. Contact them if you have unusual changes or symptoms, especially if you have vaginal bleeding, leakage of clear fluid, burning with urination, leg swelling, or abdominal pains.
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Get A Prenatal Massage
A little human touch can go a long way if youre feeling sad and anxious. By relieving muscle tension and improving overall health, massage therapy can also help to relieve some of the aches and pains that may be getting you down.
Plenty of research has shown the benefits of touch, and the benefits can continue in the postpartum period if you need a mood booster.
Make Your Pregnant Wife Feel Carefree: Reassure Her
Being pregnant is scary. Even though you can be there for her every day, she is still the one carrying a child and that is nerve-racking in itself. Listen to her worries of course, but reassure her. If she is concerned about an aspect of her pregnancy, buy some books and find reassuring facts. Books we definitely recommend are The Expectant Father, Your Pregnancy For The Father To Be, and Dude, Youre Gonna Be A Dad! Make her worries your own and whatever happens, always remind her that you are in this with her.
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Postpartum Body Changes Dont Determine Your Worth
Because of the connection between social media and body image, its all too easy to get stuck into a comparison trap with other mothers who might be on a similar journey as you.
You may also be battling your own expectations for yourself, in terms of what you think your body should look like or how much you should weigh after a certain amount of time postpartum.
The problem with these expectations is that theyre too often unrealistic and may create more frustration and angst toward yourself and your body.
If you dont achieve your postpartum weight loss timeline, this can make you feel like youre at war against your own body. Its a lot harder to be kinder to your body or make decisions that treat your body respectfully when youre in this position.
Again, this is where it might be helpful to take a step back to understand the big picture.
Too easily is self-worth tied into body size, especially postpartum.
While your identity mayve been closely connected to your body size and appearance before you had your baby, these are not measures of your worth or value as mother.
When youre in a critical time of rediscovering your identity as a mother, you might default to your body size or appearance because this feels like a tangible measurement.
But remember: your body is supposed to change, and change is normal. This change is not reflective of your innate worth and value as a mother, woman and human being.
