Pregnancy is a mix of the best and the worst of times. It’s exciting to bring new life into the world, but it’s challenging for expectant mothers physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It’s okay to worry about your pregnancy, though. Here are eight common worries you might have during your pregnancy and how you can address them.
Health of the baby
The health of a baby is a big fear for expectant mothers. There’s the concern there might be complications with the pregnancy that could cause the baby to have health problems, or worse, be stillborn. Even once the baby is born, there’s still the concern if they will have any long-term health complications.
There’s only so much expectant parents can do in regards to their baby’s health. It’s important to listen to any medical advice your doctor has and follow a good health regimen. You should also make sure you have your baby added to your health insurance plan before they’re born.
Accidently harming the baby
This one is another common worry and is closely related to the baby’s health. It’s natural to be worried about causing unintentional harm to your baby. You fear you might accidentally bump into something or trip and fall.
While it’s possible to hurt yourself accidentally, you shouldn’t obsess over the possibility. You can’t control everything that might happen to you, but you can take precautions. For example, you should avoid taking the stairs when you can and always wear comfortable shoes.
Physical changes
A woman’s body will go through major changes during pregnancy. There are weight gains, swollen ankles, backaches, and morning sickness, to name a few. It’s a lot for anyone to handle.
The best thing you can do is be kind to yourself. Accept these body changes are natural. You’ll have a chance to get back into your former shape once the baby has been delivered.
Personal health
There’s a genuine concern that if you were to get sick, you could harm the baby. It is a possibility, though. If you were to contract a severe illness, you could potentially lose your baby.
You can’t prepare for every possibility, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting an illness. You should exercise regularly, monitor and reduce your sugar and salt intake, and go for regular doctor visits.
Stress
Stress is a common factor in everyday life, and you might be worried about how that will affect your baby. Generally speaking, stress from a tough day at work or an exhausting argument won’t do major harm to your baby. Severe stress, like a death in the family, could cause some complications, though.
Either way, it’s best to focus on finding ways to calm yourself down and relax. Maybe it means taking a personal day, going to a spa, doing prenatal yoga, or getting a prenatal massage. Try a few things out and see what works best for you.
Not making it to the hospital
This is a scenario you might often see in movies. It usually involves an expectant mother who doesn’t make it to the hospital in time and has to deliver her baby in a car or a bathroom. In truth, labor and delivery can take between 8 and 24 hours.
Odds are you should have enough time to make it to a hospital, especially if it’s your first baby. If you are concerned, you can go through a trial run to see how long it will take to get to the hospital. If you are really far from a hospital and stressed out about not making it in time, consider getting a midwife and entertaining the possibility of having a home birth.
Delivering a baby
There can be some fear of the actual physical process of delivering a baby. Some fear the pain, while others might fear the loss of control in their body.
It’s natural to fear pain, and if this is your first pregnancy, the overall unknown of everything. It’s best to let things be. Don’t focus too much on the things you can’t control, and visualize everything will go well.
Being a good mother
This one will remain a constant throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Many expectant mothers wonder if they will be good parents to their babies. Raising a child takes a tremendous effort, and there’s a lot to consider, like how you will discipline your child or pass on valuable morals.
If you’re worried about being a good mother, it’s a positive sign. It shows you care. It’s a sign that things might turn out well in the end.
No one can exactly predict how your pregnancy will go, and that’s okay. You should accept there are things you won’t be able to control and focus on the ones you can.
