Every day of a high-risk pregnancy feels like you're holding your breath, desperately hoping to make it to the next milestone.
Hearing a heartbeat.
Making it to the second trimester.
Good news at your anatomy scan.
Being on this roller-coaster can leave you feeling anxious and terrified every day.
For so many moms living with a high-risk pregnancy, their self-esteem is deeply rooted in being able to carry a baby to term.
Finding out that there is something "wrong" with the pregnancy can automatically translate to, "I'm broken." "Something's wrong with me." "I'm not being a good enough mom."
As complications arise, as you continue to get difficult news from your doctor, and especially if you're on bed rest, these thoughts can make you feel inadequate and like you're failing as a mother.
It may even impact your sense of self as a woman.
This is what my body is supposed to do and it can't do it right.
Low self-esteem during pregnancy often extends into the postpartum period once baby is born.
You may find yourself questioning and doubting yourself as a mom and your ability to take care of your newborn. If you're feeling really down, you may generalize this self-doubt to your abilities in other areas of your life outside of your pregnancy as well.
Rebuilding your self-esteem during pregnancy is good for you and your baby and your pregnancy.
Improving your confidence levels lowers your risk for developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, helps you feel more in control even during the ups and downs and lifts your mood as you fight on for another day.
Here are 3 tips to help you feel more confident as you're fighting for your baby:
- Be an active member of your medical care team. Understand your complications, what you know, what you don't know, and all of the details and make sure you get your questions answered so you can make an informed decision.
A high-risk pregnancy is only one part of your story. It doesn't define you as a mom or a woman. (Tweet that!)
Higher self-esteem means you can feel more like yourself, make decisions for your baby with more peace, have more hope about your pregnancy and enjoy every single special moment that you're fighting so hard for.
You deserve it!
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Parijat Deshpande, MS, CWC, CSMC, works with moms who are terrified during their high-risk pregnancy. Combining her professional expertise in clinical psychology with her personal experience with a very high-risk pregnancy, she guides moms to cope with their anxiety and worries so they can feel more confident and hope.
Struggling with staying calm during your pregnancy? Grab the free Perinatal Wellness Toolbox today to get through your pregnancy with less anxiety and more hope.