Top Five Tips For A Stress-free Pregnancy

Bump to Birth

Is your pregnancy causing you to feel stressed? You should read this article to learn more about pregnancy and what you can do to keep your stress under control.

Do not let small things bother you. You should avoid stressful situations as much as possible and plan things such as medical appointments well in advance so you do not find yourself stressed. Do not hesitate to ask your partner, friends or relatives for some help if you have too many things to do or if a specific task is causing you more stress than you can handle.

Keep in mind that your hormones are probably causing you to feel more stressed than usual. You should expect your hormones to cause stress and anxiety between the sixth and the tenth of your pregnancy as well as during the last weeks of your third trimester. When you experience stress, remind yourself that your perceptions are altered by hormonal imbalances, and do your best not to overreact.

Making bad nutritional choices could cause you to experience more stress. You should introduce more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts and whole grains in your diet. Stay away from foods rich in fat, sugar and preservatives, even if you are craving these foods. Take some prenatal vitamins to make sure you get all the vitamins your body needs and prevent cravings cause by deficiencies in your diet.

Exercise on a daily basis to stay in shape and keep yourself busy. You should go for long walks, go swimming if you live near a swimming pool or do some exercises at home. Exercising regularly will make the delivery a lot easier if you focus on strengthening your pelvic muscles. You should work out at your own rhythm and not put any pressure on yourself by trying to lose weight or build muscle mass.

Use relaxation techniques to keep your stress under control. Some simple breathing exercises should help you get over your negative emotions, but you should also explore activities such as yoga or tai chi to find inner peace. You should contact your local gym to ask if they offer a prenatal yoga class. These stress management techniques will be very helpful later when you have to keep up with your busy schedule while taking care of your baby.

Take the time to do some things you enjoy. You should take a break from doing pregnancy-related things or reading about parenting once in a while. Spend some time with your friends and family, watch your favorite movie or practice your usual hobbies. You could also go to a spa, get a massage and pamper yourself. Spend some time alone with your thoughts and plan some activities with your partner, too. You might not have time for these things once the baby is here.

These tips will help you keep your stress and anxiety under control during your pregnancy. You should talk to your doctor if you experience strong negative feelings on a regular basis and have a hard time relaxing.

The Fit and Healthy Pregnancy Guide