Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Anxiety can be severe and debilitating. In pregnancy and post-delivery, it can be about anything such as:
Fear of pregnancy
Fear of having a tear
How to keep your baby alive
Surviving labour and delivery
Caring for your newborn baby
Fear of having excruciating labour pains
Anxiety in pregnancy is associated with:
prematurity
pregnancy-induced hypertension
low birthweight for gestational age
And in children:
increased anxiety
negative temperament
behavioral and developmental problems
How to alleviate anxiety.....
Laugh
Release those endorphins as much as you can
Sleep
Create a bedtime routine and try to stick to it
Talk to someone
This can be a friend, therapist, partner, or care provider.
Exercise
Go for a stroll, swim, or aerobics workout. Move and release those endorphins.
Do your breathwork
Take deep breaths, hold it, and breathe out slowly. Repeat this a few times every time you start to feel anxious.
Tune out the horror/negative stories
Be intentional about what you read and listen to. Negative stories do happen but you may not have the full context and this does not have to be your reality.
Attend great antenatal classes
When you understand what to expect and all the possibilities, it removes the element of the unknown and relieves anxiety.
Sign up for Labor with Confidence: What to expect in pregnancy, labour, and delivery course and what the video over and over again! Click on the link to sign up now
Say your affirmations
The mind and body feel and responds to the words you tell yourself! especially the thoughts that sit in your subconscious
Place your affirmations cards around the house or office and repeat them many times during the day. Remember what you focus on grows.
Get your positive affirmation pack: if you are a couple trying to conceive or the new mums “struggling” with the translation to parenthood, or just the seasoned parents who feel like you are failing! Click on the link to buy now