Pregnancy can be one of the most incredible experiences of a woman’s life. It can be brilliant, frightening, empowering, exhilarating, stressful, and at times, tedious. And this was before a global pandemic. A crisis like this can make pregnancies much more difficult and confusing. Still, it can also be an opportunity for you to focus on what’s really important and make yourself a priority. While this pandemic will (hopefully) eventually go, it’s essential to understand how best to care for yourself in a crisis, while you’re pregnant. Hopefully, this guide will give you some tips!
Check-in with yourself
It’s too easy to go on autopilot and whizz through your days doing jobs, being proactive and generally keeping yourself busy. While this is a useful coping mechanism (after all, you’ll get lots done), it can distract you from really connecting with yourself and can mask lots of underlying stress. Pregnancy is an important, finite time. So, take the time to sit with your thoughts and check-in with how you’re feeling every day. Are you anxious? Are you excited? Are you overwhelmed? Consider writing this into a diary or planner to make sure you check in every day.
Look after your nutrition
It’s always important to look after your health while you’re pregnant, but it’s specifically important during a crisis. This is because stressors can have a negative effect on the health of pregnant women and their unborn child, and some women will experience forms of sickness or nausea that make eating difficult. Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that will nourish you and build you up before giving birth and having a child. It’s also essential to manage your iron levels, as an iron deficiency in pregnancy is common and can have adverse effects on your baby.
Stay active
Exercise in pregnancy helps lower stress levels and encourages the body to produce hormones that make you feel good. During a crisis, keeping on top of stress levels can be incredibly tricky, so consider low impact exercise as a way to help you feel more positive. Activities such as walking, yoga and swimming can have really positive effects on you physically and mentally. If you’re struggling with pregnancy insomnia, exercise can be particularly helpful for tackling it. Additionally, it can prepare you for dealing with the effort of labour and birth.
Keep talking
Keeping up lines of communication is vital during pregnancy, and particularly during a crisis. In difficult times, reaching out to friends and loved ones is so important. Even if you cannot meet with others physically, phone calls or video calls can be great ways to connect with people who love and care about you. Sharing your fears, concerns or hopes can help you make sense of your feelings and get advice and tips for what is before you. And make sure to get as many pregnancy and birthing tips before the big day!
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