Pregnancy is a journey that prepares women for motherhood. Being healthy throughout pregnancy is a must, as one is nurturing a child. Eating, exercising, and thinking right are also essential during pregnancy, as all these affect the child and the mother. Wellness and behavioral health during pregnancy isEspecially a woman’s mental health becomes crucial during pregnancy. Pregnancy brings a swirl of emotions, and the woman needs extra care.
Why is behavioral health important during pregnancy?
Psychological well-being challenges are common among many women during pregnancy and postpartum. These issues, including depression and anxiety, can affect anyone and are among the most common mental health concerns experienced by pregnant women.
During pregnancy, it’s common for women to feel stressed because of physical changes and every day worries. However, if these feelings persist or other problems arise, it can be risky for both the mother and the baby. Sometimes, doctors may choose to do a C-Section to protect the baby, putting off dealing with the mother’s mental health issues until later.
Mental health problems can be linked to factors like abortions, relationship issues, work-life imbalance, stress, and physical disorders. Research indicates that babies born to mothers with mental health issues like depression may have low birth weights.
Behavioral Challenges During Pregnancy
Certain behavioral issues happen because of internal conditions like hormonal change, physiological change, effects of medicine, etc., while some behavioral changes may occur due to economic stress, social situations, past traumas, etc.
The transformative pregnancy journey brings physical changes that may contribute to emotional fluctuations. Some of them include morning sickness, backaches, headaches, and other discomforts.
For individuals with pre-existing or past mental health conditions, receiving support and treatment significantly enhances the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and baby. Open communication with both the healthcare provider overseeing the pregnancy and the mental health care provider is crucial. Collaboratively, they can assist in managing both pregnancy and mental health.
The postpartum period introduces a myriad of emotions, where physical recovery, sleep deprivation, and the challenges of caring for a newborn may overwhelm new mothers. Unrealistic expectations of motherhood and limited personal time can contribute to stress.
How to maintain behavioral health during pregnancy?
Staying well throughout and after pregnancy is a must. The following are tips for maintaining overall health during pregnancy.
- Education about pregnancy- It is important for a woman to know what happens during pregnancy. Awareness can help ease many complications.
- Consulting physician: Following a physician’s advice throughout pregnancy is safe. Getting the right test done under the physician’s guidance is important.
- Doing the correct Exercise: Exercise is a must during pregnancy. However, the right exercise is important.
- Embracing positivity: It is good to embrace positive thoughts, listen to soothing music, etc., during pregnancy.
- Prenatal vitamins: Prenatal vitamins are essential during pregnancy and should not be avoided. Folic acid supplements or natural organic foods rich in folic acid are recommended.
- Socializing with positive people: Talking, engaging, and interacting with near and dear ones is important during this time. It helps reduce tension and stress and ease postpartum depression in women.
- Eating right: A healthy diet is the most important during pregnancy. A balanced diet helps the baby and the mother grow. Women may also develop certain health issues during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes. In that case, it is advisable to consult a physician who can guide a good diet.
- Identifying emotional stress: Being a little emotional, scared, and worried is normal during pregnancy. However, if one finds that the condition is worsening, one must consult a doctor.
- Congenital malformations: A baby grows slowly and steadily in a womb and contributes to developing a new organ each day. Women need to talk with their physicians regarding any genetic disorders that may be passed on to their children.
It becomes important for women to take care of their health during pregnancy. Regular consultations, a positive attitude, and personal care will help the mother and the child throughout and after pregnancy. Taking care of one’s mental health throughout pregnancy is a must.
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References:
https://med.stanford.edu/womensneuroscience/wellness_clinic/Pregnancy.html