Why mental wellbeing is important to stay healthy during pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most beautiful journey in a womans life very real yet surreal joyous yet a bit daunting culminating into another life with unlimited potential for themselves and others The changes a woman undergoes and the efforts she implements during the nine months helps her enjoy this period and do the best for the best outcome The experiences and mental health of the woman during pregnancy and throughout are of utmost importance for the wellbeing of both the mother and her child It is a key time to be caring for the mothers minds and mental attitudesPregnancy is an extension of ones healthy wellbeing healthy in the head and healthy in the body Emphasis should be on being healthyphysically mentally emotionally and spirituallyModern times with its fast pace of life and all the advancements with its belief and dependency on shortcuts and quick fixes adds to the mental stress in pregnancy which does have a negative effect on both the mother and the pregnancy outcomeWe need to move our focus from a very medicine centric to a holistic approach for better management Let us take a step back and revisit the healthier way of improving mental health which directly affects the pregnancy progress Happier moms happier babiesMeditationNeuroscientific studies have proven Meditation of any form helps pregnant women keep their stress down and their spirits up It helps cultivate attention and awareness and reductions in anxiety and negative feelings like hostility depression stress and anxiety It gives them the tools to navigate complex emotions that wouldnt budge even in the face of the most reassuring reading material They experience stronger and more frequent positive feelingsiumliquestfrac12such as enjoyment gratitude and hopeYoga and exerciseYoga provides holistic health benefits for tobemother It helps keep the body supple It helps you to breathe deeply and relax consciously and alleviate the effect of common symptoms such as morning sickness painful leg cramps swollen ankles and constipation It reduces tension and anxiety helps regulate blood pressure and deeply relaxes every cell in the body calms and relaxes the mind maintains the body temperature and enhances the oxygen supply which helps with the babys growth Exercise helps maintain a balanced weight blood pressure and sugars making the pregnancy healthier and the journey easierFaith and beliefsFaith can be of help to most people giving them the strength to do the best they can and to withstand the ups and downs of pregnancy with positivityMusic therapy and hobbiesListening to music can calm your mind and uplift your mood which in turn helps lower your stress and anxiety It can improve sleep quality and is beneficial in improving prenatal anxiety reducing depression during pregnancy along stress It has a calming and relaxing effect and can lower both the heart rate and blood pressureReikiReiki is a Japanese touch therapy that can promote healing It operates on the belief that everything in the universe is made up of energy and this life force energy flows around us and through us nourishing our cells organs and glands When ones energy is low imbalanced or restricted by stress injury or illness we are more susceptible to discomfort further illness and disease When ones energy is high or balanced one is more likely to feel relaxed and the bodys own innate healing abilities are awakened and utilized for healing Chakra cleansing and activating make the energy system powerful improving Stress Anxiety Societal Pressure Nausea Mood swings and Sleep Deprivation In addition to deep relaxation Reiki can promote a reduction in muscle tension and pain It can promote accelerated wound healing and wellness and a greater sense of wellbeingNutritionThe right kind of natural food including antioxidants and micronutrients plays a very important role in managing ones mental and emotional balance and responsesThe natural antioxidants from plant materials mainly polyphenols carotenoids potassium and vitamins E and C increase the levels of serotonin which is directly related to the feeling of happiness and peace It reduced the possibility of miscarriage preeclampsia and IUGR and asthma exacerbationsDr Meeta Chawhan Senior Consultant Obstetrician amp Gynaecologist Cloudnine Group of Hospitals Bengaluru WhitefieldAlso Read Why it is urgent to bring girls at risk of dropping out back to the classroom