Destination The Pacific

A Must

Managing stress is a must, especially during a high risk pregnancy. It only puts more demands on the mind and body. Some people have made themselves literally sick with worry and never being able to get some real rest. 

Understandably, moms with a metabolic disorder have more to think about than the expectant mom that seems to glow with every step. Nevertheless, it is all the more reason to make a concerted effort to find time to unwind and take a break from the cares of the world for a while.

For the moms having a difficult time with managing stress and pregnancy, here are a few tips worth discussion:

• Pay Attention
• Evaluate
• Beware
• Decide
• Learn
• Enlist

Although the one word terms are meant to spike a little curiosity, to understanding the meaning requires some explanation.

Pay Attention

Evaluate

Moms need to evaluate their circumstances.  What are the most common stressors that can make the day miserable?  Are any of them self-imposed?  Can some of them be eliminated, at least until the baby comes and there has been some time to adjust to the changes and heal?  Can someone else help with some of the daily duties to relieve the stress?

For example, if there is already a child, is there another adult that can help with the care, so mom can take a break for a while. Can the daily schedule be edited, so the expectant mom is not on the go from dawn until dusk?

Beware

Beware that most people actually cause themselves more stress than is necessary. Are the demands coming from self, even though friends and family do not demand an expectant mother to be all things to all people?  In other words, pregnant moms need to give themselves a break, especially those diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Set more realistic goals.  Include down time as one of those all-important priorities.  Do not feel guilty for slowing down. It is one way to take care of self and the baby.

Decide

Decide what is really important and table the rest.  Make the choices necessary to reduce the stress.  Say no, if necessary.  Decide to take care of the baby by choosing to lower the stress level.  Chances are, family and friends are not demanding.  In fact, it will be a relief to see mom taking care.  People that insist it is impossible to reduce stress often thrive on the attention and the emotional charge of always being on the go.

However, now is not the time.  With a baby on the way and the complication of gestational diabetes, make a temporary personality change for a while. Choose to avoid further complications that can be exacerbated by stress.

Learn

Learn some ways that are personally conducive to relaxation.  Read a good book; listen to some soothing music; work on a hobby; put the feet up and watch a good movie.  If none of these ideas seem to work, talk to the doctor and see what ideas he/she has to help patients relax.

Enlist

Sometimes life is simply stressful.  Other children, a job, personal issues, and more can all contribute to the stress factor.  If an opportunity to relax seems impossible, it is time to enlist some help.  Tell friends and family that the pregnancy is high risk and it is imperative to relax.

Delegate some chores. Let someone else do the dishes or put a load of laundry in the washer. Tell others how they can help reduce the stressors.  For example, some expectant mothers with a toddler at home may ask grandma to take the youngster for a couple of hours.  In that time, take a nap or do whatever seems relaxing, without wondering if ‘junior’ is flushing the remote down the toilet or painting the walls with fingernail polish.

In short, it is not selfish to take personal care of self and the baby, especially when mom is dealing with the stress of gestational diabetes.  For a while, life will not be normal. Learn how to reduce the stressors of life and make better choices, so that mom and baby both stay healthy.