Pregnancy Hormones and Stress

Congratulations, you’re expecting a little bundle of joy! That’s wonderful news, but it’s a good bet that you’re stressing out a little now aren’t you-what with all your hormones on overdrive and then some? We’re here to help because stress isn’t good for anyone, but especially expecting mothers as it can cause unforeseen circumstances leading to all sorts of problems in the future, so let’s nip it in the bud while it’s early shall we?

Sometimes when a person is stressed, simply taking a quick break from whatever is causing said stress is all you need. If  you feel you need to walk away and go into a room by yourself and have a good cry, by all means feel free to do it. You can also relieve your pregnancy stress by following some of the ideas we’re about to give you. Explore them all or just the ones you are comfortable with, either way the end result of less to no stress will be just what the doctor ordered.

Learn to Relax

 

Easier said than done, it’s true, but it is not impossible. If relaxing to you is sitting on  your couch doing absolutely nothing except flipping the remote control to watch your favorite show, do it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, less stress means less trouble for the baby and for you. Try not to get all worked up over things you cannot control, and having a great system in place for you and the baby is a big plus.

Don’t Over Do It

 

Okay, so the dishes in the sink aren’t going to clean themselves, the dogs aren’t going to feed themselves, and the house isn’t going to clean itself, we understand. But that doesn’t mean that you, doing all of it on your own, with no help is the way to go.  Line up your priorities first. Obviously, the pets need to be cared for, that seems a lot more important that the three dishes in the sink and the carpet that was just vacuumed yesterday.  Tomorrow is only a few hours away, don’t over do it.

Eating Healthier

 

Anyone will tell you that eating healthier when you are pregnant will also help reduce your stress. Eating better doesn’t mean that you can only eat tofu now or vegetables, although those are great to incorporate into your diet, but try to stay away from junk food as much as you can. A salty bag of potato chips can cause your blood pressure to rise which can cause complications with your health and with the baby’s health. High blood pressure is already a disease that pregnant women should be wary about, but why make it any easier by shoveling junk food or salty foods into your system?  Consulting with your physician about a healthier diet should be at the top of your to do list when you are pregnant, no matter how far along you are.

Find the Trigger

 

Finding the trigger of the stress can be a lifesaver, literally. Figure out whatever trigger is nearby that could be causing you the added stress, as if raging hormones aren’t enough, and eliminate the trigger to the best of your ability. It is also a good idea to consult with your physician about the stress you may be experiencing and ways to deal with it as well.

Exercise

 

Perhaps there is no better time than now to begin a simple exercise regimen. Thirty minutes of exercise a week can be enough to help you eliminate any stress you may be feeling. Do you have to go sign up at a gym? No, simply walking can help to lower cortisol levels, the hormone that causes anxiety.

Get Plenty of Sleep

 

Be sure to adjust your sleep schedule as need so that you gain more rest and sleep during your pregnancy. You want to rest as much as you can to avoid unfortunate circumstances that could hurt your pregnancy.

Getting Help

 

If your stress levels are just too hard for you to control on your own, please consider asking your physician about treatments. There are several medications that can be taken during pregnancy to help with anxiety and stress. Being pregnant is stressful for anyone, and seeking medical treatment isn’t one more thing that you should have to worry about, it’s okay to ask for help.

Meditation and Music

 

Meditation can be a wonderful exercise to relieve stress for you and for your baby. There are hundreds of resources available for anyone interested in meditation, ask your friends and family as well as searching online and even in the phone book.

Music can be soothing for both of you also, as well as reading a book out loud to yourself because studies say that your unborn baby can hear your voice and music while in the womb. What have you go to lose? You enjoy music and chances are your baby will too.

Be Prepared for the Birth

 

Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, always be prepared for the birth. This includes packing that overnight bag for the hospital, programming your phone with speed dial contacts for your big day, get your room reserved at the hospital, be sure to take classes if needed and learn everything you should know about what to expect of this pregnancy. This also includes speaking with your employer about what will happen the closer  you get to your delivery time, this way everyone is prepared and knows what to expect.

Get a Massage

 

Check around for complimentary massages if there are any offered in your immediate vicinity.  What better way to relieve hormonal stress than to get a nice, relaxing massage? You can even teach your partner the basics of a back massage for those days when your back is hurting.

Enjoy your Pregnancy

 

Be happy you’re going to bring a brand new baby into this world. Talk to your baby, let him or her know how excited you are to meet them. Let them know how amazing it is that they chose you for their parent. Read them stories, massage your belly, let them know that they will be born into a family that is excited beyond words and how you will teach them everything they need to know to become a productive human being. Above all, let them know they are loved beyond anything else in this world and that once they come out and join your family, you will be complete. It may sound corny, but who cares? It’s your baby, your life, you may as well make the most of it by living stress free.

There are many ways to relieve stress while your pregnant and give your raging hormones a swift kick and teach them that you are the boss of you, not them. Being a parent is one of the most important roles we have in society, and making it less stressful for yourself will provide you with what you need to grow right along with the newest member of your family. If you have any tried and true stress relievers not mentioned here, we’d love to hear them!