How to stop worrying during pregnancy? How to overcome fears and worries during pregnancy

It's finished! Finally, you are freed from vague guesses and nagging doubts, now you know for sure - THIS is Pregnancy. Long-awaited or unexpected, planned or accidental, first or next. At the very beginning, like early spring. You wish that the coming nine months will bring peace and joy to your soul. What if a wonderful dream does not come true? And the persistent reminder of others “it’s bad for you to worry” does not help get rid of contradictory, anxious thoughts and feelings.

What to do with the crisis of change that worries a pregnant woman

The first months of pregnancy are a time of revolutionary changes not only in a woman’s physiology, but also in her psychology. In the inner, hidden space of her “I”, the space of another person appeared, whose existence must not only be taken into account, but perhaps the whole life must be rebuilt, all plans must be changed. Not everyone can accept these changes unconditionally. Even if the child is desired and long-awaited, the enormity of the accomplished event captures all the woman’s thoughts, making her worry: “How will my life develop next? How will the pregnancy proceed? What will happen to my career? Will I be able to provide my baby with a decent future? Will I be a good mother? Familiar questions, aren't they? Such mental anguish can cause not only a feeling of fatigue and irritability, but even cause toxicosis or the threat of miscarriage.

Psychologist's advice.

First, don't try to solve all problems at once. Postpone them indefinitely, and perhaps some of them will be resolved without your participation. And in general, pregnancy is a unique time when you can rightfully allow yourself not to react to life’s problems. And not feel guilty for such irresponsible behavior. Remember that more than all the material benefits in the world, the child needs your attention, understanding and love.

Secondly, the most important thing now is to realize and accept your new state. Give yourself permission to be pregnant. Accepting your new state means accepting the appearance of a child in your life and learning to understand his needs. Indulge your little weaknesses - be it the desire to lie down in the middle of the day or buy yourself some delicacy. Let pregnancy enter your life not as a time of prohibitions, but as a time of new opportunities. A statement like “I won’t be able to wear my favorite skinny jeans” can be replaced with: “I’m finally updating my wardrobe!” It is enough to change your point of view to get a taste for change.

How to deal with irritability during pregnancy

Pregnancy makes a woman emotionally vulnerable, prone to anxiety, and more sensitive to negative experiences. It seems that the reason for frustration is insignificant, but the eyes are “wet”, and nothing makes you happy. Many women are haunted by the feeling that you are “trapped” by incessant nausea, fatigue that has come from somewhere, and constant irritability. Doctors explain this unstable emotional state by rapid hormonal changes occurring in the body. Only understanding that such a state is natural and quite physiological does not make this difficult period easier for a woman.

Psychologist's advice.

Increased irritability is a signal to the expectant mother that she needs to learn to relax. This valuable skill will come to the rescue not only during pregnancy or at the time of childbirth, but will also have a positive impact on your life in general. The easiest way to relax is to turn on calm music, lie down, get comfortable, and focus on your breathing. Take a deep, calm breath and slowly, relaxed exhale. Imagine that with each exhalation comes relaxation and peace. By the way, moderate physical activity is an excellent remedy for the blues.

Changes in the hormonal system

No matter how hard a woman tries to protect herself from troubles, nervous breakdowns during pregnancy can still happen. And the reason is in the body itself.

During the period of bearing a child, significant hormonal changes occur that affect well-being and mood.

Even in the early stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother’s body begins to prepare for the difficult period of gestation and childbirth:

The pituitary gland, which is responsible for the functioning of the endocrine system, increases 2-3 times. Due to this, the formation of eggs is inhibited and the ovulation process stops;
In the first trimester, the production of prolactin increases 5-10 times, which is responsible for lactation;
The concentration of oxytocin increases, under the influence of which labor occurs and breast milk is released;
In place of the egg, a new endocrine gland is formed, it is called the corpus luteum of pregnancy. It contains sex hormones (progesterone and estrogens), which are responsible for implantation and development of the fetus.

In addition to these basic hormonal changes, many other processes occur in the body that are responsible for the formation of the fetus. Of course, such a load has a significant impact on the mental state of the pregnant woman.

Increased sensitivity in pregnant women

Even if before pregnancy a woman had a calm disposition, now she can easily panic from her doctor’s abstract reasoning about the complications of pregnancy or from an eccentric friend’s story about her childbirth. Scenes from certain films or television news, a harsh remark from a boss or a fellow passenger on the subway can bring you to tears. Don’t be afraid to give vent to your emotions - cry, complain to someone, the main thing is not to push dark thoughts and resentment into the depths of your soul. Such increased impressionability is simply a reminder that it’s time to change your impressions.

Psychologist's advice.

Remember that there is another side to your impressionability - it is an opportunity to look at the world in a new way. It’s as if during pregnancy a woman becomes a little like a child who looks at the world with interest and surprise. Take this opportunity to enjoy the finer aspects of life. Through your impressions, you convey information about the world around you to your baby. Your impressions tell him whether the world is good or evil, colorful or dull, cheerful or sad. So try to get out into nature more often, visit concert halls or museums.

Anxiety disorder and pregnancy are common neighbors

The woman’s entire nervous system is tense and aimed at maximizing the preservation of the child. But sometimes the hyperactivity of this natural mechanism has the opposite effect. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of the expectant mother. If she worries more often than she is happy, her worries do not have a specific reason (pregnancy is proceeding smoothly), and she cannot distract herself from them - perhaps this is already a disease.

Often, a pregnant woman, even realizing that something is wrong with her, is afraid to seek help because she may be advised to terminate the pregnancy or be prescribed medications that will harm the baby. There is a way out of this situation!

Treatment for a pregnant woman differs from therapy for ordinary patients, because it is important not only to help the mother, but also to protect the baby.

How to overcome the feeling of loneliness that worries a pregnant woman

There are so many changes taking place in the soul of a pregnant woman that she may begin to feel very lonely in the whirlpool of new experiences. All the people around her have remained the same, only you are at the mercy of “pregnant feelings”. But at the same time, the experience of loneliness allows you to look deeper into your own soul, understand yourself, analyze your life experience, and possibly re-evaluate your life values.

Psychologist's advice.

Use loneliness for self-knowledge, but do not become too isolated, share your experiences with loved ones, consult with a psychologist, talk with other pregnant women. Nowadays there are many opportunities to communicate with “your own kind” - these include courses in psychological preparation for childbirth, and special groups for pregnant women in a swimming pool or sports complex, and even specialized stores organize lectures for pregnant women. And most importantly, start communicating with your child, because he is the closest person to you.

Misunderstanding from loved ones

The pregnancy period can give a new positive impetus to family relationships, or it can give rise to misunderstanding. But the most important thing for a woman is to receive support from her loved one. However, it is much more difficult for a man to get involved in the process of his wife’s pregnancy and become a “pregnant” dad. He has a hard time imagining that there is a little man growing inside your belly (by the way, not a stranger to him). A man is more likely to be concerned about your new quirks than about the specifics of your pregnancy. It is a rare representative of the stronger sex who talks with inspiration to the “tummy” or is touched by the shocks from its depths. But this does not mean that men are completely indifferent to the upcoming changes. They just experience “pregnancy” in their own way.

Psychologist's advice.

Take the trouble to unobtrusively educate your loved one about pregnancy. He needs simple, concrete information about what is happening at the moment. Ask him to go with you to the ultrasound. Some men, having seen with their own eyes their baby inside their tummy, completely change their attitude towards their wife’s pregnancy, as if convinced of the real existence of the baby. Use the pronoun “we” more often, this will be another sign that you are no longer alone. Unobtrusively tell your husband about how the baby behaved throughout the day. If at first there is no expected reaction, do not be upset and do not blame your husband for misunderstanding. It's just that many men don't express their emotions openly.

If you have a joint desire for your husband to be present at the birth, then he simply needs to undergo the appropriate training courses. And not at all so that he would not faint at the most inopportune moment. And so that from an uncertain witness, your husband becomes an active participant in the events (which he actually was at the dawn of your pregnancy). Not only will he be able to gently hold your hand, but he will also be able to give you a relaxing massage, remind you of proper breathing, and help you change positions. Such active participation in childbirth helps a man realize his paternity, and for a woman it is an indispensable support.

How do the tears and worries of a pregnant woman affect the baby?

Surely you have heard more than once that pregnant women should not be nervous. But this is harmful not only for the pregnant woman herself, whose “nerves are on edge”, and whose hormones are constantly dancing in a wild dance...

It is sometimes difficult for a pregnant woman, even due to minor stress, to come to her senses and calm down quickly; she can react to any unpleasant situation excessively, tears will flow in streams. Those around you must put up with these manifestations, but it is not always possible to achieve the necessary understanding...

The nerves of a pregnant mother directly affect the health of the fetus!

Stress and anxiety during pregnancy can lead to abnormal formation of the fetus and serious illnesses in the newborn.

With any, even the slightest stress, tears and frustration, the “stress” hormone - cortisol - is released into the blood ; it accumulates in the amniotic fluid. The fetus swallows it and along with it receives an increased dose of secreted hormones.

This may affect, for example, the functioning of his cardiovascular system, and the baby may acquire congenital heart diseases.
Also, according to research, pregnant women who were constantly nervous during pregnancy were more likely to give birth to children with asthmatic diseases.
The experiences of a pregnant mother can also lead to fetal hypoxia, i.e. reduced oxygen supply. And this condition causes direct damage to the development of the child’s nervous system and can lead to neurological diseases.
It would not be amiss to recall that severe stress can provoke premature birth and the associated possible negative consequences for both mother and child.

All this, of course, sounds scary, but there is no need to dramatize the situation.

Of course, in 9 months it is difficult to avoid even the slightest stress. And sometimes it can even be helpful to relieve stress by crying a little. After all, pregnant women should not take alcohol or sedatives!

But if you are experiencing truly severe and prolonged stress (betrayal, death of a loved one, job loss, etc.), remember that your key task now is to get yourself out of a state of depression and depression as soon as possible.

More frequent walks in the fresh air, yoga classes, reading literature, classical music and limiting the flow of news and information (primarily from social networks) can help with this.

If the situation has already gone too far, you should contact your confessor (if you are a believer) or a specialist who will help switch your consciousness to a positive way.
Social contacts should be limited to those with whom you feel comfortable communicating.

Remember that your every day, every action and every thought in your head determines the future health of your baby. Be responsible.

Health to you!

If you are already preparing or have just recently become a mother, pay attention to ready-made kits for newborns from BusyBag.ru , which contain a lot of what you will need for the first time with your baby. And for the relatives and friends of the expectant mother, the online store “Child is Busy” has gift sets for discharge!

You may also be interested in:

Aggression of a child at 2.5 years old
The first year of a child’s life: what to prepare for?
What to do if a child bites?
Is a regime really necessary in raising a child?
When a child is offended by you...
Children from disadvantaged families... what are they like?
Children from different fathers... how to improve relationships in such a family so that everyone feels comfortable?
Paternal instinct: does it exist and where does it live?
How to behave with your first child when your second is born?
What to do with a child from 0 to 1 year: necessary toys!
What to do with a child from 1 to 2 years old: necessary toys!
What to do with a child aged 2 to 3 years: necessary toys!
Some useful tips for a super vacation with children!
How to teach a child to play independently?
Going to the sea with a child: advice for parents!
Teen room design
What should parents traveling with children know?
What if your baby gets sick abroad? How to help or prevent problems?
Traveling with children? What food/snacks to take on the plane...
Top 10 family airports in the world: the best for traveling with children
Services for travelers with children at Russian airports
10 fun games you can play with your child on the go
7 things you definitely need to do during pregnancy

How to deal with a pregnant woman’s worries about the baby’s health?

Sometimes a pregnant woman begins with fear to go through all the risk factors that she has been exposed to since the beginning of pregnancy and think about how they will affect the child. Memories of drinking a glass of wine or taking aspirin when you were not yet aware of pregnancy, thoughts about the polluted air of your hometown or radiation exposure from the computer monitor on your desktop are used. You never know what else can affect the baby’s health. There are dangers here and there.

Psychologist's advice.

Do not exaggerate the degree of risk. Congenital defects are very rare. Think that unnecessary worry is much more harmful to your child than the mistakes you made. Don’t indulge in feelings of guilt, it’s better to find a way that can compensate for your “misses” - be it active walks in the park or a balanced diet or listening to classical music. Also, try to imagine more often how healthy, strong and beautiful your baby will be. Such fantasies have a very beneficial effect on the development of the baby.

How maternal stress is transmitted to the fetus

The mother's stress is transmitted to the fetus through the amniotic fluid and affects its development, a group of German and Swiss scientists found. Their work was published in the journal Stress.

Pregnant women are constantly advised not to be nervous so as not to harm the baby. Constant stress in the mother is associated with an increased risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cardiovascular diseases in the child. However, scientists still did not know exactly how maternal nervousness affects the fetus. Scientists from the University of Zurich and the Max Planck Institute in Munich conducted a study that helped reveal new details. It turned out that stress in the mother can affect metabolism in the placenta, which affects the formation of the fetus.

When stressed, the human body begins to produce certain hormones, including corticoliberin (CRH). This hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus, but during pregnancy it is also produced by the placenta. As a result, a small amount of CRH enters the amniotic fluid. Previous animal tests have already shown that CRH affects fetal development. The presence of this hormone in the amniotic fluid is recognized by the body as a signal that the mother is not doing well, and the process of accelerated growth is launched - so that, in the event of premature birth, the baby has a better chance of survival. Scientists have already studied this quite well using the example of tadpoles - if the pond in which they live is on the verge of drying up, the concentration of CRH in the tadpoles begins to increase, which leads to an acceleration of metamorphosis, that is, their transformation into frogs.

So how does stress affect CRH production in the placenta? 34 healthy women in the second trimester of pregnancy took part in the tests. For medical reasons, their amniotic fluid was taken for testing - this procedure itself is a short-term stress for the woman. Comparisons of CRH levels in saliva and amniotic fluid showed that short-term stress does not affect the child.

The researchers also asked women to complete questionnaires to find out if they were experiencing chronic stress and how this affected CRH production.

It turned out that if the mother is nervous for a long time, the level of CRH in the amniotic fluid increases. And a high concentration of the hormone triggers the process of accelerated ripening of the fetus. However, too rapid growth has its negative sides and can lead to physiological and cognitive impairment in the child in the future.

“Accelerated growth may occur due to disruption of the correct formation of fetal organs,” says psychologist Ulrika Ehler, project coordinator.

Of course, it is almost impossible to avoid stress during pregnancy. In difficult life situations, psychologists advise pregnant women to seek professional support. But it is also worth remembering that the negative consequences of stress experienced during pregnancy can be largely compensated for by the close mother-child bond after childbirth. Love and support play a huge role in a child's development.