3 Ways To Survive Stress In Pregnancy

Anxiety can actually have very notable and adverse effects on physical health.

This is especially considerable when you're pregnant. For your health, and the health of your developing child, it's absolutely integral that you find ways of reducing stress wherever possible.

Following, several strategies that may help reduce stress will be considered.

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1. Ensure You Have Firm Financial Foundations

As soon as you know you're pregnant, you and your spouse need to line out a financial strategy. This will be the quickest way of getting ahead of future stress, and alleviating that which you're dealing with in the present. It’s important to know that financial stress can be overcome.

There are programs available for expectant couples or single mothers—don't give up before you at least go looking. There are options for wherever you happen to be in life, and wherever your finances are. Also, future tax breaks will become available, so consider that as you budget.

When a couple gets pregnant, the time for easy days where a person comes or goes as they please ends. The man needs to have a stable job, and put his wife and child-to-be ahead of himself. If you're a single mom, this is going to be difficult. You can work until the last month or so of your pregnancy, but that's not good for you in terms of stress.

A better option would be for you to find relief options through local charities and religious organizations. Don't worry if you don't necessarily see eye to eye with those providing assistance. What's important is the end result. No, the ends don't always justify the means. But sometimes it's best to take a gift and not ask questions. You'll need discretion here, and making the right decision is best done as the fledgling family unit you are, rather than individually. This is the time to trust a spouse.

2. Surround Yourself With Family And Those You Can Trust

A pregnant mother needs a support network. She needs her spouse or partner readily available. If they aren't there, her mother should be available at a moment's notice. If there is no available future grandmother, it's integral to have some other family member that can be relied on, or friends at hand who are trustworthy.

Again, if you don't have friends or family, don't be afraid of the support option available through a Catholic charity, or something similar. There are boundless support options just waiting for mothers in need to find them.

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3. Keep Yourself Centered, And Understand The Road Ahead

Do a little looking around online. Your pregnancy will change the hormonal balance of your body. Such changes will lead to mood swings, and how you feel may not be an accurate gauge of how things are.

You have to keep yourself centered, and make sure everything is in perspective as much as it can be. Have the father nearby as much as you can; or at least available at a moment's notice should you need him.

If you have any mentors, you want to talk with them and keep them close to you as your child develops inside. There are ups and downs you'll have to deal with regardless of how well you prepare.

Avoiding Unnecessary Stress

A natural, healthy pregnancy will have its own levels of stress. You need to have support networks in terms of family, friends, and finances beforehand. This will help ensure the safety and health of you, as well as your developing child. The bad news is, there will be stress. The good news is, you can avoid the worst of it, and the joy before you is greater than the stress you'll leave behind.

About our Guest Blogger

Stephanie Bates

Stephanie is the founder of Military Travel Mama; she is the wife of a military professional and mother to two children. Follow her blog for more about military life, military discounts, family trips, healthy eating, and parenthood.

Sex and Pregnancy: Is it safe to do it?

Valentines Day is just around the corner. And although it is not the only way to celebrate the occasion, many of you might wonder, is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?

Eat Right & Feel Good During Pregnancy

Today, I welcome, a guest blogger, Katie Moore of Moore from Katie whos hares with us tips on how to eat right and feel good during pregnancy. 

Eating right and exercising regularly are things all women should do on a regular basis. However, many of us look at eating right and exercising as something we want to do to look good and stay fit. When we get pregnant, some of us don’t think we have to exercise or eat right because it’s a time in our lives when we get to get fat without being unhappy and when we can eat whatever we want because we get a free pass for the next nine months. For me, this wasn’t the case. During my pregnancy I had plenty of cravings, but I didn’t give into temptation and instead used pregnancy as the perfect catalyst to jump into the best lifestyle I could manage—a healthy one! 

Feeling Great
I learned during my healthy transition that I feel more energized, happier, less tired, and better when I eat right. I decided that I would take that with me into my pregnancy because I didn’t want to give up feeling good at a time my body was working extra hard to keep my baby healthy. As a result, I spent my entire pregnancy feeling as good as I do when I wasn’t pregnant. I hardly felt sick, I slept well at night, I didn’t experience many mood swings, and I was full of energy. I felt better than ever, and I credit it to a healthy lifestyle change. 

Balancing Cravings
There are healthy ways to manage cravings. When I wanted something sweet, I ate chocolate covered strawberries. When I wanted something salty, I ate chicken sausage, red, green, and yellow bell pepper, onions, and pasta. When I felt like I needed more energy, I ate fruit. Whole grains and protein are also good to eat when you are expecting. Since the thought of milk makes me sick to my stomach on a regular basis, I had to figure out another way to get the extra calcium I needed to make my daughter healthy. I ate yogurt. I filled it with fruit sometimes. Other times I sautéed broccoli and spinach, both very high in calcium. All the alternatives I came up with were healthy, made me feel good, and made my baby healthy. 

Exercising ALOT

Furthermore, I exercised. I took plenty of naps and rested when I felt the need throughout, but I found that I slept better, longer, and deeper on the evenings I walked for a half hour with my husband. When I woke up in the morning I found that prenatal yoga gave me energy and calmed me. I was happier, healthier, and fitter. Additionally, all that exercise prepared my body for labor, which meant that I was more comfortable, labor was shorter, delivery was easy, and I felt good sooner. I also lost my baby weight very fast after both pregnancies. 

Before changing your diet and health routines too drastically, be sure to speak to your doctor. Pregnancy is a delicate time in your body so making too many changes too fast can be harmful to your health. Your doctor should help you figure out the best course of action to take. Your doctor can also educate you on other aspects of your pregnancy like preparing for labor, educating you on birthing styles, and educating you on delivery and post-delivery methods, like pain management medications and cord blood banking. With so much information on ways to improve your health, you can expect an easier labor and a smooth transition into motherhood.

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Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.