Table of contents:
- Why should you reduce stress before childbirth?
- Tips to reduce stress before childbirth
- 1. Get rid of negative thoughts
- 2. Calm down
- 3. Equip yourself with various preparations
- 4. Adopting a healthy lifestyle
- 5. Stay in touch with a doctor
Stress can come at any time, including during pregnancy or just before delivery. This condition cannot be prevented, but expectant mothers can still reduce the levels. That way, the bad effects for mother and fetus can be avoided. So, how do you reduce stress before childbirth? Come on, take a peek at the following ways.
Why should you reduce stress before childbirth?
Pregnant women are prone to experiencing stress. This condition occurs due to hormonal changes in the body, physical discomfort, or uncertainty about the future.
Towards the birth of your little one, expectant mothers will be more prone to experience anxiety, fear, and stress.
This usually arises because there are various negative thoughts, such as childbirth that is not going well or other fears.
Stress like this should not eat away at the mother-to-be because it can have a negative impact on her and the fetus in the womb.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, stress can cause symptoms of insomnia and decreased appetite.
This condition is at risk of making the mother experience fatigue and lack of nutrition. In fact, the mother needs to maintain her nutritional intake and body condition to deal with childbirth.
Tips to reduce stress before childbirth
In order for stress, anxiety, and fear not to worsen the health of pregnant women, consultation with a doctor is needed.
The doctor will help you to deal with the stress you are currently facing. If it's not too severe, your doctor will usually recommend drug-free treatment.
Some treatments that can be done to reduce stress before childbirth include:
1. Get rid of negative thoughts
The emergence of stress, fear, and anxiety in pregnant women is mostly triggered by negative thoughts.
So, one way to reduce stress levels before childbirth is to reduce negative thoughts that come to mind.
Try to think of positive things that make your mind better, such as looking at photos of smiling babies and talking about a suitable name for your little one.
That way, you can distract your brain from negative thoughts.
Don't forget, stay away from bad news related to pregnancy so that your anxiety and fear don't get worse.
2. Calm down
The next tip for reducing stress before childbirth is to create calm.
Well, you can get peace of mind for pregnant women in various ways, for example practicing breathing techniques. This technique is usually performed during yoga or meditation practice.
You just need to find a quiet, dim place and position yourself to sit up straight.
Then, inhale as deeply as possible from your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Do this several times while imagining what makes you happy.
Creating calm doesn't just relieve anxiety and fear. This also helps the mother to sleep more comfortably so that she can rest well.
3. Equip yourself with various preparations
The next step that pregnant women can take to reduce stress before childbirth is to prepare themselves.
The process of giving birth does require a strong mentality. So, don't hesitate to ask your partner and family for help.
Not only to make it mentally stronger, you also need to prepare everything related to childbirth.
Important things that need to be found out, for example the location of the hospital, access to health to facilitate the delivery process, to trusted people who can accompany you during childbirth.
Preparing this carefully can help you reduce the anxiety, anxiety, and fear that arise.
4. Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Apart from clearing the mind from stress, avoid things that can reduce the health of the mother. For example smoking, sleeping too late, eating junk food , or doing strenuous work.
Instead, you need to get enough rest, eat nutritious foods, take blood-boosting tablets when your doctor asks you to, and stay active, such as doing light exercise.
5. Stay in touch with a doctor
The last step you can take to reduce stress before childbirth is to regularly check your health with your doctor.
The doctor will monitor your mental health as well as your pregnancy which is approaching delivery.
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