Dealing with Anxiety during Pregnancy

According to medical research it is evident that almost 30% of pregnant women go through moderate to severe anxiety disorders during the course of their pregnancy. However, studies also show that lesser than 20% of such women have chosen to actively seek help for this problem.Most women feel really humiliated or guilty to own up to the fact they are experiencing severe anxiety because of the pressure of the society which expects them to be happy at all times. Untreated and unaddressed anxiety can create a number of complications in pregnancy so here are some guidelines on how to deal with it.How to Recognize Anxiety Disorder?It is normal to feel a certain extent of worry about your health and your baby’s development during pregnancy. But you should sit up and take note when:You are constantly irritated all the time.You cannot control your levels of tension and worry.You experience frequent and strong headaches due to tension.You have poor concentration levels.Your sleep pattern is irregular and you suffer from insomnia.You always feel restless from inside.Some Risks to Mother and Child due to Undue Anxiety during Pregnancy ArePoor birth weight.Poor health of baby after delivery.Birth before 37 weeks (premature baby).Potential pregnancy termination in mother.Dealing with anxiety during pregnancy.Tendency to indulge in substance abuse.Not forming attachment with baby.How to Help Yourself?The first thing that you should realize when you recognize and identify with the above mentioned situations is that you are suffering from anxiety and this can potentially physiologically and psychologically harm you and your baby. Help yourself by adopting the following techniques:Educate yourself about pregnancy and read self help books that tell you about the changes that are going on inside your body.Participate in your favourite hobbies to distract your mind. If you do not have hobbies take up something creative like painting or pottery.Hire a masseuse expert in prenatal massage after consulting your obstetrician to give you a long relaxing massage every week with safe aromatic oils.Listen to soulful instrumental music in the morning and try to feel the calm rhythms seeping through your body.Try to picture happy images of you and your baby laughing and playing together, watching your baby grow or any other thoughts that make you happy and remind you of your motivation for having a babyTalk to an experienced senior female member of your family who can help you in dealing with your anxiety.How to Get Help?If you try the above mentioned methods and they still do not work then you probably have to seek professional help. There are two lines of treatment in curing anxiety; medical approach and non Medicinal approach. But, you should not take any medications for anxiety which are not prescribed your doctor as it can be harmful for you and your baby. So, the non medicinal approach is preferred for it has no side effects. Some of the ways to deal with anxiety during pregnancy are. You must consult your obstetrician before undergoing any of these therapies.Psychotherapy episodes involving a professional therapist who will train you to manage your emotions and feelings.Taking health supplements like omega 3 supplements as prescribe by doctor, walnuts etc as they contain natural mood enhancer.Participate in light therapy sessions, which involve exposure to bright artificial sunlight at specific time of the day. These sessions are supposed to boost the mood and conquer anxiety. But you must consult your obstetrician before undergoing this therapy.The point to remember here is not to overlook feelings of anxiety and get yourself help (if you cannot manage to do it alone) in treating them. Have a happy and stress free pregnancy!!!