Proactive Mental Health for My Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a trying time for your body as well as your mental health. The constantly fluctuating hormone levels, the physical strain, and the upcoming challenges of motherhood can greatly affect your mood.

This is why it’s imperative for moms-to-be to take care of their mental health just as much as their physical health. Stress and low moods can cause a number of health problems for both the mother and the baby and are best avoided through constant care.

Why Do You Need Proactive Mental Health Care During Pregnancy?

We know how the saying goes: healthy mind, healthy body. To have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy, it’s important to prioritize all aspects of self-care, including mental health.

Although pregnancy is associated with mood swings, if you constantly feel unrested and anxious, you should speak with your healthcare provider.

Here are some signs to look out for:

Feelings of guilt
Depressed mood
Feeling worthless
Feeling constantly overwhelmed
Lack of interest in routine activities
Lack of interest in social interaction
Crying often
Increased appetite or lack thereof
Disturbed sleep

Although a lot of these things are common in pregnancy, if you feel like it’s beyond what you can handle, it’s best not to ignore them. Poor mental health can adversely affect both you and your baby.

Some of the effects are:

An increased risk of postpartum depression
Baby’s inadequate growth, due to lack of nurturing environment
An increased risk of preterm labor and low birth weight
Greater likelihood to use substances that can affect your baby’s growth
Struggling to form an ideal mother-child bond once the baby arrives

How Does It Work?

At Charleston Birth Place, we aim to cover all aspects of care for a mother and her child. Through The Exchange at Charleston, we offer holistic care before, during, and after pregnancy. Our friends at Charleston Integrative Counseling will cover two important aspects of emotional strengthening during your pregnancy;

Mental health counseling
Nutritional coaching

During the counseling sessions with Jessie, our qualified counselor, you will:

Learn to deal with your emotions in a healthy way
Understand your thoughts and emotions better
Learn to cope with stress and anxiety in a constructive manner
And most important of all, you’ll be able to talk about what you’re going through in a supportive environment.

During these sessions, you’ll have a set of goals to accomplish and some weekly homework to improve your mental health. You’ll also learn the role of nutrition in keeping a healthy state of mind.

At Charleston Birth Place, it is our aim to make sure you and your baby stay healthy and happy! And we’ll be eager to provide you with any assistance you require to make that happen. For any other queries and questions, feel free to contact us.