How to manage stress during pregnancy

[hypnobirthingplace]

Hi to any local pregnant folk, especially anyone feeling a bit worried (or indeed, really anxious).

First thing to say is I?m a hypnobirthing teacher, and so I get to speak to a lot of expectant mums.

Pregnancy can be a lovely time of calm positivity, but over the past couple of weeks it seems I?ve had more people than usual confiding that they?re feeling worried about one thing or another.

I've had a client reeling from a recent scan when the Sonographer made a small but explosive comment about a ?slightly odd nose bridge?, another wondering why she was feeling exhausted all of the time. Even, someone worrying about not feeling worried!

Twice this week I?ve heard about delayed building work that?s taking a couple up to (or over) their due date. A pregnant friend was bemoaning the ?myth of glowing skin?, pointing out spots and a random rash on her chin? she looked pretty glowing to me but obviously she didn?t agree! A woman pregnant with twins being labelled 'high risk' from the outset...

Just now, I looked at some of the threads on this forum and it seems there are others who feel the same.

I know from my own experience, that pregnancy can be a roller coaster ride. Not least during my second pregnancy, when I found out my cervix was opening at 20 weeks and I had to have an operation to have a cervical stitch put in.

Luckily, I also know some of the best ways to reduce, manage or let go of much of that stress. Although it?s impossible to get rid of all the causes of worry, there are strategies to deal with the curve balls, get through them and feel better again.

So I?ve written down the 8 Top Tips I?d give to anyone who finds themselves in this boat, in the hope that someone here and elsewhere might pick up something useful. They can even help with physical symptoms such as tiredness and aches and pains and can be found in my blog at www.hypnobirthingplace.com

Because ideally, pregnancy is a time to relish rather than wish away. To appreciate that your body is doing some pretty incredible things and to enjoy letting go of worries so that you feel confident, relaxed and looking forward to birth. I know from experience, that finding ways to manage and reduce worry now is no bad thing in preparation for after your baby is born.

I hope you find my 8 Top Tips helpful as a starting point. Feel free to post a reply here about how you're feeling and/or share any tricks you have up your sleeve for managing stress. You are welcome to ring/text me if you want to chat through any particular worries or sources of stress you have right now. I am on 07989 587 112. Or email me at [email protected]

Zoe x