How can you support your well-being through pregnancy?
How can you support your well-being through pregnancy? Pregnancy is often a time where hopefulness and excitement mingle closely with anxiety and uncertainty. Some level of anxiety joining you on the journey makes sense, doesn’t it? Bringing a child into the world is no small task. There are layers of physical changes, emotional shifts, and relational needs to be tended to for well-being through pregnancy. These layers impact the whole family in different ways as it journeys from pre-pregnancy to postpartum.
For the person carrying and birthing a child this transition can be an intense physical and mental journey that isn’t always filled with sunshine and warm fuzzies.
The different changes can stack up to be a lot for you to manage on top of the daily responsibilities of life. Layering in support for you and your family will be key to helping you enjoy more of the wonder and magic of welcoming your new child. This will be key to supporting your well-being through pregnancy. We are here to help you find those supports!
When I talk to parents or expectant parents, I often hear the natural worry in their voices as they ask, “is this normal?”
The answer in nearly every case from how they are feeling to what their child or body is doing is yes. Worry and stress show up in the mix because you are actively working to be a great parent without a clear set of instructions to tell you how. You’re in the process of figuring out what that looks like for you and your family, and that is simply a hard place to be. On top of that, there seems to be this unspoken expectation that you’ll be superhuman as a parent and love every minute of the journey. So, when that doesn’t happen it’s really easy for you to feel like you’ve failed.
It is no surprise, then, that parents bringing a new child home often find themselves facing anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts or compulsions, and conflict in their relationships with partners or other family members.
As many as 1 in 5 women, worldwide, experience some type of mood or anxiety disorder during or within a year after pregnancy. This can include generalized anxiety, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, postpartum OCD, and more. Let’s not forget about partners, too. 1 in 10 partners has experienced depression following a pregnancy.
Although topics like maternal mental health and the stresses of pregnancy may not be talked about openly, there is no need for shame here. This transition, whether it is your first time becoming a parent or your fifth, is full of challenges. We see you; we get you; and, we want to support you in getting what you need to thrive in the midst of these challenges. ME-Therapy can support your well-being through pregnancy and beyond.
Research and experience show that without adequate support, perinatal or postpartum mental health challenges can lead to relationship and family turmoil.
This can have negative impacts on your new child too. We know you want to be the best, most successful parent you can be. We want that for you too! So, we want to share a few types of support that can help you and your family thrive along the way:
Physical and mental health support:
Pregnancy impacts the whole family. So, seeking support from providers who use an integrated family approach can help support key maternal well-being. And, the well-being through the pregnancy of your whole family.
Special mental health note for moms here: If you have a family history of anxiety or depression, keep an eye on your mood and behaviors for symptoms.
Changes in hormones and increased stress can lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Family history can increase your risk for pregnancy-related anxiety and depression. Many symptoms like fatigue and changes in mood or appetite associated with anxiety and depression can be overlooked since they are often considered a “normal” part of having a baby. If you start to notice symptoms, there are small things you can do to manage them. Walks, getting outside in nature, meditation, loving, social connection (think baby or partner snuggles), rest, and nutrient-rich foods can all help. If you want more support, you can reach out to your doctor and/or your therapist to discuss whether medication might offer some more benefits. If you do not feel comfortable leaning on medication, but still want more support, you still have options. In fact, holistic methods like acupuncture have been shown to be effective for treating mild anxiety and depression in many cases.
Birthing Support:
There are many options for birthing support based on your preferences. Some people go the traditional OB/GYN route, others prefer midwives and doulas. All are good choices. Adding a pelvic physical therapist to your care team can also be a great option! They are muscular experts and can help you prepare the muscles of your body to give birth and help your body recover post-birth or c-section. Overall, it is important to have a collaborative team. If you opt for a birthing team, their job is to work together to make you feel comfortable and cared for.
Social support:
Caring for your physical and mental health from pregnancy through the postpartum period is important. But, it can be so hard to focus on your needs without feeling selfish or guilty. Pulling together a network of people to support your well-being through pregnancy is key! Consider your partner, babysitters, parents sharing similar experiences, parenting support groups, and more. Also, include people who can provide very tangible services like dropping off meals or coordinating support when you’re in need. This supportive group will help by validating your experiences. And, by giving you a much-needed break to sleep, play, and reconnect to yourself and your partner while still getting things done and caring for your new family member. These folks can also help point out and celebrate your parenting wins with you because celebrating can be an important layer of mental health support too!
There are a lot of changes that come along with welcoming a new child into your family.
These changes often have many moving parts and can create a sense of imbalance and drive up anxiety. The good news is that being actively involved in the change process can create a more positive experience. This can look like choosing healthcare providers that support your birth plan. It also might look like putting together a network of support to help meet your needs. These can both be particularly helpful for the period post-birth. You’ll be adjusting to new routines and focusing on the new baby and support will be welcome. While caring for your new child will take up more space in your life, you are still important. You deserve to have the very best care and feel supported in this important piece of your journey!
Ready to Start Therapy in St. Petersburg FL for Maternal Mental Health?
If you are looking for someone to be on your team as you adjust to the physical, mental, and relationship changes that come with expanding your family, the therapists at ME-Therapy are here for you! We believe in supporting you on your journey to a healthy, thriving family. Call us today to schedule an appointment. Beginning the journey to your best relationship is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Counseling does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
At ME-Therapy, we believe in the importance of mental, emotional & physical wellbeing. Our therapists want to help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means we take a holistic approach to mental health. In order to do this, we offer a wide range of mental health services in our St. Petersburg office and online including therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, therapy for anxiety, and holistic, spiritual therapy. For couples and relationships, we want you to know that our relationship therapists are here for you ALL. In addition to marriage counseling, we provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling, and poly-friendly kink-aware therapy.
