3 Ways to Ease Anxiety During Pregnancy

Anxiety is incredibly common for expectant mothers at any given point during pregnancy. It can manifest in different forms like worries about the health of the baby or concerns about labor and delivery. Hormonal fluctuations, physical changes, and the anticipation of a major life transition can inevitably illicit feelings of overwhelm! While some level of anxiety is normal, excessive or chronic anxiety can have adverse effects on mother and baby, which is why it is helpful to have easily accessible tools in place to help soothe an anxious mind.

Breathwork

“Take a deep breath.” You know the phrase for a reason! Even just one deep breath can change your mind, body and day. Breathwork allows you to refocus your mind while increasing circulation, strengthening your core + pelvic floor, and serving as an excellent tool for labor, birth, and postpartum recovery.

Movement 

Moving your body during pregnancy in a safe, effective way will not only keep you sane, but also prepare you for an empowering birth. Movement releases mood-boosting endorphins and alleviates those pesky pregnancy symptoms. It could be as simple as a walk outside, a 10 minute workout, or a prenatal yoga class. Though it is not always easy to show up on your mat, you will almost certainly feel better after. 

*Make sure to listen to your body and always speak with your doctor before starting any new movement during pregnancy.

Meditation

Meditation is a form of complementary medicine that utilizes the mind-body connection and typically includes breathwork, mantras, affirmations, and gentle movement. Meditation during pregnancy can relieve feelings of anxiousness, increase body awareness + inner resilience, create a deeper connection with your baby, and ease fears of birth.

Need more support? Join the Birthly Community on Friday, October 20th at 12 pm CST for a 30 minute lunchtime meditation + seated flow to take a pause and re-energize yourself for the rest of the day. Cannot join the Community Session? Birthly offers regular Pre/Postnatal Movement and Mindfulness classes that you can take advantage of. Check out our schedules here.