Enjoying Your Pregnancy Guide to Understanding - Brigham and ...

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Your Prenatal Guide
CONTRACTIONS
The uterine muscle contracts spontaneously from early pregnancy until the onset of real labor. Usually the
contractions are irregular and painless (Braxton-Hicks contractions) and may produce “false” labor if they become
painful. If they “progressively” become closer together, last longer and become more painful, notify us so we can make
certain you are not in early labor.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Depression/Anxiety
Many pregnant women may feel downright joyous one minute then break into tears the next. These up and down
mood swings are just a part of the hormonal changes going on in your body.
Emotional Mood Shifts
When any woman gets pregnant, she worries about the health of the baby, the pain of labor, about the future and
how she will adjust to being a mother, about a hundred different issues, all surrounded by the addition of a baby into
her life.
What To Do About Moods
Most of these anxieties can be eliminated by asking questions or just telling us your worries. If depression really gets
you down, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Expect these mood shifts, and don’t think something is drastically wrong when they occur. No matter how much a
woman wants a baby, she still may feel inadequate once she becomes pregnant. The key to working through depression
and anxiety is to talk about your feelings. You should communicate your feelings, even if you think they are too
embarrassing. And try not to worry. Concentrate on living your life one day at a time. When you feel anxious, pamper
yourself with a warm, relaxing bath. Keep your thoughts on today’s events, not what could happen tomorrow. Make it
a point to get out of the house every day, even if only for a short walk. Reach out to others when you need a comforting
word.
Knowledge can erase many of your worries ...so read books on pregnancy and child care. Attending prenatal classes
is a great idea. Since this book cannot cover all aspects of pregnancy and birth, why not check out some books and
read to your heart’s content.
If you still feel depressed, be sure to talk it over with us. It can affect your overall health. Let us help you discover
that pregnancy can be a time filled with joy and happiness!
SEXUAL CHANGES
With your mood shifts come other emotional changes, too, including your feelings about sex. Desire for sex may rise
or fall significantly during pregnancy. If you lose interest in sex, don’t worry. It happens to a lot of women and doesn’t
usually last long. Be sure to discuss your feelings and have your partner read this book.
All these physical changes may have you wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into. Remember, pregnancy is a
natural process and a woman’s body is designed to handle it with a minimum of stress.