Managing stress and anxiety during pregnancy

Is it common to be anxious a lot during pregnancy?
Pregnancy brings out the worrywart in all of us. And
for good reason: You're growing a life inside of you.
It's natural to fret about what you eat, drink, think,
feel, and do. It's also perfectly normal to worry
about whether your baby is healthy, how this new
person will change your life and relationships, and
whether you're truly up to the task of parenthood.
But if your anxiety is becoming all-consuming and
regularly interferes with your day-to-day
functioning, it's time to find a better way to deal with
it.
To start, gently share your fears with your partner
— even if they're about him. Chances are he's
harboring concerns of his own. Communicating
openly about your anxiety can help you both feel
better. Turn to friends or family members for
support, too. Other moms-to-be are another source
of support, as they're probably experiencing the
same worries you are.
If you're extremely anxious or have a specific
reason to be concerned about your baby's health,
share your concerns with your caregiver. If anxiety
still plagues you after you've aired your worries and
checked in on your baby's well-being, professional
counseling can help you get to the bottom of your
troubles.
I have a lot of stress in my life right now. Will it
affect my baby?
While everyday pressure is a part of modern life, a
high level of chronic stress can boost your odds of
preterm labor or of delivering a low-birthweight
baby. If you're used to caring for others or giving
110 percent at work, making yourself a priority may
seem unnatural or even selfish. But taking care of
yourself is an essential part of taking care of your
baby. Cutting down on stress — or learning how to
manage it — makes for a healthier pregnancy.
How can I calm down?
Here are a few ways to manage your stress and
reduce anxiety at work and at home:
Practice saying "no." Now's as good a time as
any to get rid of the notion that you can do it all.
You can't, so learn to let your superwoman ideals
go. Make slowing down a priority, and get used
to the idea of asking your friends and loved ones
for help.
Cut back on chores — and use that time to put
your feet up, nap, or read a book.
Take advantage of sick days or vacation
whenever possible. Spending a day — or even an
afternoon — resting at home will help you get
through a tough week.
Try deep-breathing exercises, yoga, or
stretching.
Get regular exercise such as swimming or
walking.
Do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
so you have the physical and emotional energy
you need.
Go to bed early. Your body is working overtime
to nourish your growing baby and needs all the
sleep it can get.
Limit "information overload." Reading pregnancy
books, surfing pregnancy Web sites, and
listening to your friends' pregnancy stories are
fine — but don't delve into all the scary things
that might (but probably won't) happen during
your pregnancy. Focus instead on how you're
feeling and what's happening to you now.
Join (or create!) a support group. If you're coping
with a difficult situation, spending time with
others in the same boat can ease your burden.
Many women create support networks online.
Visit the BabyCenter Community to connect with
other moms-to-be grappling with similar issues.
If you're under unusual stress or feel like you're
at your breaking point, ask your healthcare
provider to refer you to a therapist, who can
better assess how strong your anxiety has
become and what you may need to do to feel
better. Listen openly to what she has to say.
Getting help during pregnancy will protect you
and your baby from unnecessary risks and
reduce your chances of postpartum anxiety

Posted by Maduka Tony
Source babycenter.com