What you should know about anxiety during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a woman feels all kinds of emotions: excitement, fear, enthusiasm, worry, and much more. Women may also feel bouts of depression and anxiety.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 52% of women experience an increase in depression and anxiety.

Who is at risk for extreme anxiety?

• Anyone who has a history of anxiety disorders.
• Women with previous fertility issues
  
• Women with work and home stress.
  
• Women with high risk pregnancies.
  
• Women who had anxiety and stress during a previous pregnancy.
  

Symptoms of anxiety

• Tension
• Restlessness
  
• Fatigue
  
• Inability to concentrate
  
• Interrupted sleep cycles
  
• Heart palpitations
  
• Panic attacks
  
• Excessive worry
  

How can I manage my anxiety while pregnant?

1. Talk to a therapist
   There is power in seeking professional help in order to combat anxiety while pregnant. Your therapist can provide tips on how you can do so, so your baby can continue to be healthy and happy.
2. Make time to rest
   Ladies, our pregnant bodies are working in overtime. Adding stress into the mix makes the process much harder. It is important to set aside extra time for rest. Our bodies will thank you in the form of a healthy baby on delivery day.
   
3. Eat a balanced diet
   Eating a diet of lean meats, fruits, veggies, dairy, and complex carbs can help boost your mood. Not only that, it will provide your baby the nutrients he or she needs to develop. Studies have shown that your baby can actually taste what you eat while in utero. If you eat veggies, the baby will be most likely not give you a hard time when you introduce veggies into his diet.
   
4. Become knowledgeable about pregnancy and parenting.
   They say knowledge is power. It's true. If this is your first pregnancy, you're probably nervous about the changes going on in your body, and you're probably having some anxiety about the birth and post-partum. Sign up for birthing and parenting classes. Ask your mom friends lots of questions about pregnancy and birth.
   

Ladies, the baby you are carrying can feel everything you feel. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, please take care of yourself. In taking care of yourself, you are taking care of that beautiful baby inside you.

My Two Cents
Very early on in my pregnancy, I began to experience an increase in anxiety. I had been dealing with anxiety disorder for many years, so it was of no surprise that I started having more attacks. I sought help from my therapist, my obgyn, my primary doctor, and my psychiatrist. To this day, at 28+1 weeks pregnant, I still struggle with anxiety attacks. I'm not ashamed of taking extra time to rest and relax. I do this for the baby I'm carrying. As much as I want to get up and do things right away, I have to think for two. If it takes me an extra hour to chill out, so be it. I still get things done. 

During pregnancy, we HAVE TO listen to our bodies. We owe it to ourselves, and the children we bring into the world.

source:
www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/anxiety/

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