Tips For Emotional Self-Care During High Risk Pregnancy

Caring for your personal needs during pregnancy can be a challenge, especially if you have a demanding job or other children to care for. Many women with high risk pregnancies need increased medical attention during pregnancy, and many need additional mental health care as well.

Pregnancy is a time of hormonal changes, and when you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy, your emotions really feel the strain. Here are some tips to make sure your emotional needs are met when dealing with high-risk gestation. 

1. Go to pregnancy counseling.

Ask your doctor about local counseling services in your area. High risk pregnancies can mean increased discomfort for you. You might feel high levels of anxiety of fear about your own safety of the safety of your child. Pregnancy counseling can help you work through those emotions so that you can function more normally in your day to day life. You can also meet with other women who have gone through similar experiences, which can help you know what to expect and provide you with additional support when you're having a bad day. 

2. Take time to decompress.

If you have demands on your time that take up most of your day, spend time at the end of the each day allowing yourself to decompress. You can meditate,practicing calming breathing that will help support you through labor. You can practice positive visualization. You might also allow yourself to spend time doing something simple, such as watching a show or reading a book, just to take your mind off the stress.

3. Bring support to the doctor.

When you have a high risk pregnancy, you have more doctor appointments and tests. Some of these tests can be nerve wracking, because the results will determine your own health and the health of your baby. Have a partner or trusted friend come with you to these appointments so that you have someone to talk to. 

4. Write down your thoughts and questions.

Instead of letting to worries build up inside your head, consider writing things down. This way, you have a concrete resource to bring with you to the doctor, asking all the questions you thought about since your last appointment. You can also write down your hopes for how the pregnancy will go and your routines. For example, you could have a daily checklist to make sure you've taken all medications and vitamins, done any prescribed physical therapy, and recorded any troubling symptoms, such as contractions or reduced movement so you have the details ready for your medical provider. 

To learn more about pregnancy, talk with a team such as the professionals at All Women's Clinic


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