Stress during pregnancy is not good for you or your baby. It can heighten feelings of anxiety and affect your sleep and your appetite. Knowing more about what to expect in each week of your pregnancy can help relieve some stress. And, some other simple steps, like exercising a few times a week, can make a big difference in relieving any prenatal stress.
Can Your Stress Affect Your Fetus?
Pregnancy can be a stressful time and you can experience a wide range of emotions. It is normal for you to occasionally feel anxious or fed-up, but if pregnancy stress is causing symptoms like sleeplessness, headaches, loss of appetite, or food binges, then you need to find ways to relax and unwind. Remember, pregnancy stress affects not just you but your baby, too.
Stress Relief
Here are some tips for dealing with stress:
- Evaluate your daily life and see where things could improve. Can you decrease your working hours? Can you get some help at home? Are there things that could be postponed until after the birth?
- Talk to someone about emotions in pregnancy. Sometimes just discussing things with a friend or your partner can help.
- Take a walk a few times a week. Exercise relieves tension.
- Take a warm bubble bath and listen to soothing music to reduce your stress.
- Learn a relaxation technique, like meditation, that will help you clear your mind and soothe your body.
