How to overcome fears and be prepared for pregnancy?

Prenatal depression is something every woman needs to know. Pregnancy is an exciting period for every woman. It is characterized by the emergence of a wide palette of sensations. Of course, the expectant mother is happy about the imminent appearance of the child, but not in all cases it can be said that this happiness is absolute. Sometimes there are situations when a woman feels completely unhappy. She blames herself for not feeling the happiness she deserves, and as a result, she sinks even more into depression...

Why does prenatal depression develop?

There are many factors that trigger the development of prenatal depression. These include illness during pregnancy, stressful life circumstances (for example, relocation), previous lost or complicated pregnancies, past or present violence, financial difficulties and social instability. According to statistics, about eighty percent of prenatal depression is provoked by troubles in the family and discord in relations with the husband. A common cause of the development of prenatal depression is the personal characteristics of women. Young mothers are often afraid of their emotions and get lost in conflicting feelings. This is especially true at the moment when they are faced with the idealized concept of motherhood accepted in society. “Motherhood is a responsibility...”, “a good mother should...”, “a loving mother must...”, etc.

Sometimes prenatal depression is caused by a pregnant woman's worries about her sex life. The husband, concerned about the well-being of the mother and child, tries to disturb them as little as possible and restrains his sexual impulses. As a result, having sex becomes less frequent than before. The woman feels that she has fallen out of love, that her partner has lost interest in her. This leads to signs of depression.

Reason 7: I'm afraid to give birth to a sick child

The fear of giving birth to a child with developmental disabilities or health problems is common among modern women. Especially among those who are already over 30. Often such women are even tormented by nightmares on this topic. Naturally, in the press and on the Internet they come across information on this topic.

In fact: Do not be afraid of these nightmares: this is how the brain processes the traumatic situation and frees itself from it. Fears about stories with other children are also normal - this is a defensive reaction of the psyche (to live through what has not yet happened and not to be tormented by the unknown).

Features of sexual life during pregnancy

During pregnancy, there are periods of decline and rise in sexual activity. So, for example, in the first three months, sexual desire often decreases somewhat. The reason for this is the peculiarities of the course of pregnancy and the presence of such signs of toxicosis as nausea, vomiting, intolerance to certain foods and odors. The changeable mood of a pregnant woman can lead to conflicts in the family. The woman has the feeling that things will only get worse.

However, this is not so, because already in the second trimester your health improves. Fears pass. The child begins to push and this lets you know that everything is fine with him. A rounded tummy looks very beautiful. Sex life “blooms” during pregnancy. In the third trimester, the belly increases significantly in size and sex becomes difficult. In addition, worries come again, but they are already associated with an imminent birth.

Visualization method

Imagine yourself slim, with a toned body, achieve the feeling that occurs when you walk with a light, flying gait, with a straight back and head held high. Do this visualization every day. Every time you want something harmful (sweet or fatty), eat a piece of fruit, a few nuts or dried fruits, drink a glass of kefir with a spoonful of honey and... imagine yourself slim. You remember that neither a pregnant nor a nursing woman should eat for two?

The truth about prenatal depression

According to statistics, every fourth pregnant woman experiences prenatal depression. This violation is dangerous not only for the woman herself, but also for her child. Pregnant women who have experienced prenatal depression have an increased risk of preterm pregnancy. This is explained by the fact that women who experienced depressive disorders during pregnancy have a significant increase in the level of stress hormone in their blood. This hormone is known to be capable of triggering premature onset of labor. That is why early detection of prenatal depression and its timely correction is very important. Especially because half of the women who experience it continue to suffer from depression after they give birth.

Signs of prenatal depression:

- reduced ability to work; - decreased attention, inability to concentrate on any specific task; — certain difficulties in decision making; - increased anxiety and irritability; - tearfulness; - insomnia, sleep disorders not related to pregnancy; - increased appetite, or vice versa, its absence; - rapid weight gain or loss not related to pregnancy; - constant sadness or guilt; - decreased interest in sexual relations; - fear of being parents; - thoughts of death and suicide.

It is too difficult for a pregnant woman to determine the presence or absence of these symptoms. Her loved ones nearby (husband, parents, brothers, sisters, girlfriends) play an important role in this.

Reason 5: My appearance will change a lot, I will gain weight

Almost all women have a fear of changes in appearance after the birth of a child to one degree or another. Especially for those for whom the canons of beauty are those on the catwalk and in fashion magazines.

Fact: Most moms thrive after giving birth. Secret? Breastfeed, get enough sleep (it helps if the baby sleeps next to you - in a crib next to yours) and don’t worry about strict diets in the first year after giving birth. A complete balanced diet (note that this does not include condensed milk, pancakes with sugar and fried potatoes), a sufficient amount of vitamins, active walks with the baby, self-love and confidence that after a year or two your body will return to normal. Gradually. Without stress and suffering over your own imperfections.

Treatment of prenatal depression

The difficulty in treating this type of depression is that the list of medications and treatment methods for pregnant women is very limited. First of all, the relatives of a pregnant woman must create psychological and comfortable living conditions for her. You should talk openly with your spouse about problems. If independent conversations are ineffective, conversations can be moved to a psychotherapist’s office. Psychotherapeutic methods have a positive effect: art therapy, auto-training, Gestalt therapy, psychoanalysis, etc. There is also information that light physical activity reduces the manifestations of prenatal depression and normalizes the course of pregnancy.

Reason 9: I'm afraid of change

Life changes dramatically with the birth of a child - many women say that the most stressful moment for them was the realization that they would no longer be able to even leave the house alone of their own free will in the coming years. What can we say about travel, plans for the future and communication with friends.

Reality: It's important to understand your priorities before conceiving. Yes, a lot will change. Yes, loneliness no longer threatens you. But this does not mean that you cannot organize your life so that you can go out for a walk without a child. Not only that: going out for a walk is necessary to prevent postpartum depression. The main change in your life is that you have a person for whom you are the most beautiful, the most needed, the smartest!

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Diet and daily routine

One of the most important aspects of caring for an elderly person suffering from dementia is organizing a clear and established daily routine. The patient should not be allowed to sleep too long in the morning. An alarm clock will help you get up at the same time. The specific time of waking up also determines what time the patient goes to bed in the evening. If he wakes up at 6-7 am, he will need to go to bed no later than 10 pm. The night will pass peacefully, and relatives will have the opportunity to sleep. You also need to go for a walk at the same time.

Despite the unstable mental state, the patient does not need to be isolated from society. Communication with others, especially at an early stage, will help delay and slightly delay the development of the disease. If possible, you can ensure that you attend hobby groups or clubs. Mental stress can prevent the rapid death of cells.

Caring for a person with dementia at home involves changing their diet. You will have to exclude fried, spicy, smoked foods from your diet, focusing on boiled or steamed foods. Fruits, nuts, fish and seafood are excellent natural antioxidants; they are extremely useful for all brain diseases and nervous disorders.

Fear for the baby

Often a mother worries not about herself, but about the condition of the child at the time of birth . After all, a woman who has read pregnancy manuals knows that at this moment the baby is no less susceptible to stress. As the fetus passes through the birth canal, its breathing stops, causing a lack of oxygen. This thought frightens mothers before the upcoming birth. However, doctors reassure women, because nature provides everything as intelligently and safely as possible.

What happens to the baby at the time of birth

The child actually stops breathing during the period of passage through the birth canal . Because of this, a lack of oxygen develops. Women who have already given birth to children have probably noticed that a newly born child is somewhat reminiscent of a doll. And only after cutting the umbilical cord and a light clap from the doctor, the baby seems to come to life and begins to actively move and cry.

Doctors say that as soon as a girl hears her child cry, all worries and prejudices will fade into the background . After all, that long-awaited meeting will happen, which she has been waiting for a long time. Therefore, psychologists do not advise worrying about the baby during the birth process. Modern medicine is able to competently monitor the condition and heartbeat of a baby during childbirth. If any problems arise, doctors will always be alert and will be able to resolve them in a timely manner.

We recommend reading: How to stop being afraid of the dentist - effective recommendations

You won't know what to do if something goes wrong

Being well informed will help you deal with any unexpected events. Read more useful articles and books for pregnant women to get the information you need. Communicate with doctors and do not hesitate to ask questions, even those that seem stupid to you. It is very important to establish a trusting relationship with your doctor; you must trust him and be confident that he will do the right thing if unexpected circumstances arise.

In case contractions start. Sequencing

How to get ready for childbirth - advice from a psychologist

How not to be afraid of childbirth and tune in to it is a question that worries many mothers. Psychologists have compiled a list of recommendations that will be useful during difficult periods :

1. There is no need to be afraid of prolonged childbearing . Many mothers claim that they labored for 18 hours. However, not all of this time was spent in contractions. They usually appear every 40-50 minutes. The pain is similar to that experienced by girls during menstruation. Before the baby is delivered, contractions become more intense and longer. But even at this time there will be breaks between them when mom can take a little rest.
2. To avoid experiencing severe pain, it is worth preparing for childbirth in advance . To do this, you need to prepare the muscular part of the body. Moderate physical activity will help. For example, yoga or swimming.
3. In order not to feel alienated, it is better to call a loved one into the room who could support the woman during strong contractions . But in the process of giving birth to a child, it is better to ask him to leave for aesthetic reasons. Otherwise, the mother will then feel a sense of shame.

On the eve of giving birth, you should not read false information on the Internet, forums and articles of unknown origin . They can only increase fear and lead to panic.