How to Handle Birth and Pregnancy Anxiety During a Pandemic
If you are like the rest of the population, the pandemic caused a lot of feelings of isolation and fear. Even as the world is “opening up” again, it seems like all the news outlets and social media platforms advertise is confusion and fear surrounding the pandemic. It can all feel a bit overwhelming. Add into that the fact that you are expecting, and things seem a whole lot scarier, don’t they? That’s okay, in fact, that’s normal! Pregnancy can cause some feelings of anxiety all on its own, add in the anxiety surrounding the pandemic and it all seems to compound and create the “perfect storm” of anxiety and big feelings! You are pregnant and expecting in a very strange time for the world, I mean, when was the last time you lived through a global pandemic? This is all new, and new can be scary! But here are a few things that you can do to keep yourself grounded, and not feel so anxious.
Stay Connected…
Now, this may seem obvious. But I think that a lot of people forget that even though we are going through a pandemic, we can still stay connected to others. Isolating ourselves is easy, especially now when half the world is telling us that it is dangerous to see people face-to-face. Regardless of your feelings revolving around that – you can still stay connected, one way or another! If you don’t feel comfortable spending time with people in person, you can FaceTime your friends and family. There are thousands (if not far more) support groups, friend groups, social media platforms online that can help you stay connected with friends, family, and other people in a similar situation as yourself! Keep yourself social in any way that you feel comfortable, because staying social and staying connected with people keeps you grounded and secure.
Do What Makes You Feel Safe…
There are so many mixed messages coming through the news outlets and social media platforms, that it can literally drive you crazy! The important thing to remember is that you are responsible for yourself and your baby. What I mean by this is, do what makes you feel safe, and forget all the rest. If you want to wear a mask when you go into the grocery store, but the rest of your family doesn’t see the point – that’s okay, you wear your mask, because you have to do what makes you feel safe! If your friends want to come to your house, but you don’t feel comfortable having people over – that’s okay, FaceTime them instead! Being able to advocate for yourself and make those safety decisions for yourself is going to decrease your anxiety, because it will make you feel in control. This is super important, because when we feel out of control, the anxiety can take over. So don’t be shy about advocating for yourself and doing what makes you feel safe when it comes to the pandemic.
Ask Questions and Come Up with a Plan…
We are living in an unprecedented time – and that means that there are a lot of uncertainties. You likely have a birth plan, or are developing a birth plan, which can decrease some symptoms of anxiety. However, there are few things scarier than having to abandon a birth plan because nothing is going correctly. You can minimize the likelihood of this happening by asking your doctor as many questions as possible and understanding your hospital’s COVID protocols before establishing the birth plan! This way, you can plan for limits on number of people allowed in the birth room, or at the hospital. You can also plan for any COVID related events or protocols that the hospital or birthing center may have that may affect your birth plan. Asking questions ahead of time will greatly decrease your anxiety as you approach your due date during the pandemic.
How We Can Help…
All of these tips can help decrease your anxiety surrounding pregnancy during a pandemic. However, that doesn’t mean that all of your anxiety will be completely eliminated. If it isn’t, consider seeking the help of a professional! Our team is dedicated to helping women with pre-birth and post-birth struggles, and we offer a lot of services! If you are looking for anxiety treatment in Miami, FL or online anxiety therapy in Florida – we are here to help! We also offer treatment options for postpartum anxiety in Miami, FL. Bottom line, we are here for you and would be happy to help!