How our mental health can be affected before and during pregnancy
If there is one thing that captivates the thoughts of women everywhere, it’s the experience of pregnancy, of conceiving and sustaining a child, of becoming a mother. Even for cisgender women who do not intend to become biological parents, the potential to carry a life inside feels remarkable and surely graces our thoughts from time to time.
The enormity of pregnancy and how it changes you (physically and emotionally) is something that does not escape our awareness. Certainly, we know a lot about the experience of pregnancy from media and we kinda get why. It’s more than sleepless nights, the morning sickness, the back aches. It’s the miracle of life.
If you feel your biological clock ticking and the “call of the child,” but haven’t yet crossed the threshold into the active pursuit of parenting status, or you’re still reeling from the sight of those two lines, this blog is for you. While you may not feel entitled to the label of “parent” until you have that little one in your arms, the truth is, there’s plenty of parenting that happens before your baby arrives. From feelings of overwhelm to mass anticipation, we’re right there with you.
Before you dive in, remember that our professionals are always here to help
Mental Health Concerns Before and During Pregnancy
While getting pregnant can come with its challenges, women often experience challenges before becoming pregnant as well. Stress before or during pregnancy can cause pre-existing mental health issues to increase or present for the first time. This stress can be present whether a couple has difficulty conceiving or not, as women may experience anxiety and fears related to pregnancy and its process.
Mental health can be affected by numerous things before and during pregnancy, such as
A current or past mental health diagnosis
Confirmed infertility or related fears
Stopping medication for a mental health disorder before or during pregnancy
Severe sickness, bouts of illness, or a recent incident being unwell
Distressing experiences in your life, such as the death of someone you are close to or a relationship ending
Whether or not are pleased or not with your pregnancy
Difficult memories of your own childhood experiences
Cultural events that produce larger fears within you, such as a fear that you will not be able to provide or concerns about the safety of classrooms
Women undergoing fertility treatments are particularly at risk and may also cope with feelings of jealousy and grief outside of the more typical anxiety and depression.
Even for women not experiencing fertility issues, although it may seem challenging, it is important to work to control stress, as it increases the chances of getting and remaining pregnant. How women manage stress before becoming pregnant can prepare them for the future experience of being with a little one.
Of course, once you are pregnant, there is the potential for new concerns to arise. During pregnancy, women may struggle with worries about how their role in their relationship and society will change as they take on the new title of "mother." You may question if you'll be a good parent or maybe struggle with how you want to parent, as ideas from parents and partners and what seems like everyone bombards you. Perhaps you have a physical health issue and have fears of complications, whether with yourself or your baby. Not to mention coping with your body's changes and the unknowns of childbirth if you're expecting your first child. Additionally, some women may struggle with a lack of support, physically or mentally, and have concerns about being alone after giving birth. It’s… a lot.
Early mental health treatment can improve outcomes for both yourself and your baby. Women who take care of their mental well-being before and during pregnancy are more likely to have a positive experience after their baby is born, and LunaJoy is here to help you with that process!
Ideas and Hopes for Parenting
Although knowing how to prepare for parenthood and the mental health challenges that may arise can seem daunting, there is a lot that women and soon-to-be parents can do to replace fear and worry with ideas and hope.
The first is to remember that people are available to support you during your prenatal period. You can engage experts such as your obstetrician, family doctor, and future pediatrician to collaborate. If you believe you'll have difficulties with your mental health during pregnancy, counseling services such as LunaJoy are also available to assist you in your journey. A therapist may be able to help you with a pre-birth plan, so you can be prepared and have one less thing to worry about during an already stressful time.
Creating a pre-birth plan alone, with a partner, a therapist, or another individual, can be exciting and provide an opportunity to produce joy with the newborn to come.
A pre-birth plan could include knowing who will visit after the baby is born, how often they can come, and what tasks they can do in caring for the home or little one. Knowing ahead of time can decrease stress as you can plan for periods to care for your well-being, whatever that looks like. You could also find local mother and baby groups in your area before the baby is born.
Parents can also work to decrease stress by imagining what they hope for in the future with their parenting goals. Maybe you want to support your little one and help them develop independence. It could be that you want to build mutual respect between you and your child. Maybe you want to ensure that you have time for self-care and become a positive role model. Perhaps you want your child to be resilient and tolerate distressing situations. Whatever your hopes may be, caring for your mental well-being will get you there.
Even if everything is going well in your pregnancy, discussing mental health concerns with a professional is important, so you can work together to prevent post-partum depression and anxiety. LunaJoy can support you during this time. Counseling services for maternal and reproductive health, and infertility are available to help you know how to prepare for parenthood.
