Pregnancy can affect a woman’s mental health for various reasons, including the many hormones fluctuating in her body during that time. If you’ve already struggled with your mental health in the past, those struggles may be amplified during your pregnancy.
It’s essential to seek professional support if you are experiencing mental health struggles throughout your pregnancy. We can help.
You Are Not Alone
Many women experience mental health struggles while pregnant, some more extreme than others. It’s known that 7% of women experience significant depression during pregnancy, and symptoms of depression include:
- Excessive anxiety about your baby
- Low self-esteem, such as feelings of inadequacy about parenthood
- The inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable
- Poor response to reassurance
- Poor adherence to prenatal care
- Smoking, drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs
- Poor weight gain due to a decreased or inadequate diet
- Thoughts of suicide
If you’re experiencing major anxiety or depression, getting help is important for your mental health. You are not in this alone.
Ways to Help Mental Health During Pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones can bring a rollercoaster of emotions, and hormones affect your body and mind. Some simple ways to help your mental health practically throughout pregnancy include:
- Getting a good amount of sleep
- Talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, doctor, or midwife
- Trying breathing exercises when you feel stressed or overwhelmed
- Staying active physically
- Eating well and regularly
- Finding healthy stress relief techniques
- Spending quality time with your loved ones
Women are more likely to experience more mental health struggles if these basic needs are not met. Staying strong physically is important, as it directly affects how you feel mentally.
We’re Here to Support You
While pregnancy is not easy, you are stronger than you know. We recommend talking to a professional counselor today if you are struggling with mental health during pregnancy, like major depression, anxiety, or more.
Our compassionate staff at Rockingham Pregnancy Care Center is a support system for you as you navigate pregnancy. We offer free pregnancy support if you need it, including pregnancy services, options education, and other pregnancy resources.
Contact us today to learn more. We can help you find clarity about your pregnancy and what’s next for you. We’re here to walk alongside you.