Wistfully pregnant women should be exempted from stress for those nine months. Unfortunately this is not possible. Financial worries, marital conflicts, and job frustrations continue to plague us and added to this, pregnancy discomforts worsen the situation. You are right to keep stress at bay cause of its harmful effects on the baby (stress releases chemicals that can trigger uterine contractions and cause preterm labor and the birth of low birth babies). The good news is studies show that women's threshold to handle stress increases as pregnancy progresses. Further, there are certain things you can do to manage your stress better during pregnancy.










Practice your relaxation breathing. This skill will come in handy during labor and beyond. Breathe deeply enough so that your belly rises and falls. You may want to practice a little to learn what pace and intensity of relaxation breathing works for you Pay attention to your physical health. This is a no-brainer but still worth a mention since we tend to neglect or forget the link between our physical and mental health. Exercise regularly with your doctor's permission. Eat ample quantities of healthy foods and rest adequately Kick your caffeine habit as this only heightens stress levels During pregnancy you should always share your thoughts and feelings with someone you can rely on. Talk to your partner or close friend about your frustrations and ideas. Find a counselor if you feel you need professional help. This is a fairly common problem and help is always around.

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