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Imagine your baby when it finally comes into the world, and you will most likely be imagining a healthy, happy baby and pure happiness on your part too, but sometimes we can get a bit stressed in the lead up to the due date, worrying about what we have left to do, what we haven't got etc.. You've probably heard of the saying, "A happy Mother equals a happy baby" and I couldn't agree more! Often life presents us with certain stresses that we need to navigate through, and during pregnancy things are often no different, learning some good stress relief techniques can really help to keep you calm and relaxed during your pregnancy.
So if you're going through a bit of a stressful time or are just looking for some tips to get you through, here are 5 ways you can manage stress during this special time in your life!
Rest
You will hear it said by any parent who has been through the journey of having a newborn, to ‘rest while you have the chance’ and there were no truer words spoken than these. Make sure that you are getting enough rest during pregnancy, and sleeping as much as you can, and you will find that you are coping better than if you are rushed and not getting enough sleep. Listen to your body, and it will often be asking for as much rest as it needs, so if you follow your own internal compass, it will lead you to where you need to be. I would often sleep for up to 16 hours overnight, your body becomes super exhausted carrying a little one and especially carrying through the summer like I did, the heat can really knock you for six!
Seek Support
Sometimes we just need to talk about our feelings and we feel so much better. Make sure that you have a good support network around you during pregnancy (and any other time for that matter), so that if you feel you need to offload your feelings somewhere, you will have the infrastructure of support already in place. It might be a good time to start seeing a psychologist, or counselor and seeking information about your changes. Other Mums are also a good source of information, and they may be able to allay your fears with their stories.
Eat Well
The body is an amazing machine, and when you are pregnant, you will find that your body wants the things that it needs. Often you will find that you are craving fresh fruits, or particular grains of bread, or other foods that your body knows that it needs. Some women say that they experienced an immediate change in their diet and before they even knew they were pregnant, they started to crave fresh, healthy foods. Make sure that you keep healthy snacks at the ready for if you do suddenly have an energy drop, and need something to pick you up while you are on the go. This will help you to stay away from foods that will only put on weight.
Prepare
One way to alleviate your stress about having a new baby is to start preparing for the big day. You will soon find that you are caught up in the excitement and forget your blue feeling. Sometimes spending a few dollars on yourself and buying some new maternity clothes can also give you a lift. Check out http://www.maternitysale.com.au/ for some new maternity fashions. I really struggled finding stylish comfortable maternity clothes when I was pregnant, things that didnt make me look either like a tent or a 50 year old woman! I ended up living in my jogging bottoms and oversized tops, very attractive!
Alternative Therapies
If all else fails, why not try alternative therapies, such as bush essences, and other remedies. Make sure that you do check that they are safe for pregnant women, before you start using them. Meditation is another great way of alleviating stress and calming the senses. Whatever works for you, do it, as long as it is not going to be harmful to your baby!