8 Steps Towards a Stress-Free Pregnancy

As a parent, you understand how much of a life changing experience pregnancy is. After giving birth to your own children, you can’t picture life without them. However, some individuals are not as fortunate and must look for an alternative means to achieve their dreams of parenthood.

That’s where surrogacy comes in.

With that being said, there are many things that surrogates may start to consider while they are pregnant. Will the baby be healthy? Will the baby have good parents? Unfortunately, you may not have answers to these questions. While it is completely normal to stress about the unknown, it is important to take a step back and focus on relaxing before the little one arrives. Keep reading to find out the best ways you can reduce stress during a surrogate pregnancy.

Give your body some rest.

Nine months of pregnancy can put a strain on your body. The more the baby grows, the more pressure it places on your body. Try to relieve this physical stress on your body as much as you can during the pregnancy. Take short breaks during the day to sit down and put your feet up, or perhaps talk to your boss about adjusting your work schedule to account for breaks. Most women feel the need to take on multiple tasks at a time, but it is important to take the time to focus on yourself and avoid tiring tasks that can cause too much strain during your pregnancy. Think about asking your loved ones to help out with household chores and other responsibilities. In the meantime, sleep at least eight hours every night and get sufficient rest.

Exercise.

Exercise is important during pregnancy. Exercising is one of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety because it gives you a mental and physical boost by increasing the oxygen supply in your blood flow. Simple exercises ensure that your baby is receiving more oxygen, leading to a healthier baby and chances of a lower risk pregnancy. The best exercises for pregnant women include swimming, yoga, and walking – since these activities are not too hard on the joints.

Throughout the day, try to incorporate the following exercises for 20-30 seconds each into your routine to keep your stress levels at a minimum.

Neck: Sit up straight on a chair, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Let your head drop to one side towards your shoulder and feel the stretch on the side of your neck. Repeat this on the other side.

Shoulders: Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Extend your left arm forward and slightly bend it. Place your right hand under your left elbow and pull it towards your right shoulder. Repeat with the other arm.

Back: Sit forward on your chair with your legs placed slightly wider than your hips. Lean forward and drop your upper body down. Let your arms and head hang towards the floor.

Eat healthily. A well-balanced diet filled with omega-3 fatty acids, lean meat, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits and vegetables is every pregnant woman’s best friend. This is because fresh, whole foods give you the physical and emotional energy you need to battle stress. Along with a healthy diet, make sure to drink plenty of water. It can reduce mood swings as well as help with any pain or bloating. And remember, an apple a day keeps the stress away!

Put your lungs to the test.

Try deep breathing exercises to clear your mind from pregnancy-related stress. Breathe slowly and deeply, and you’ll feel your stress start to decrease. Pregnant women should also include meditation during their daily routine. It is a calming technique that can be very helpful in reducing stress and calming your nervous system. Aim to practice meditation for at least 30 minutes, a couple of times each week. There are also antenatal classes available that can help you meditate your worries away. Just close your eyes and go to your happy place.

Go out for some fresh air.

Reduce stress by exposing yourself to the outdoors. A tiny dose of sunshine everyday can improve your mood. After all, aren’t we happiest at the beach? Try going outside during your lunch hour or take a walk by the lake with your friends and family. Feel the fresh air around you.

Communicate.

An effective way to reduce your stress is to talk about your feelings. Reach out to your partner to discuss your concerns, chances are that they may have the same concerns. You can figure it out together. You can also join online forums that discuss different pregnancy situations and ask other women in your situation for advice. If you are facing an unusual amount of stress, consult your family doctor to refer you to a therapist. The therapist will be able to guide you in the right direction that will reduce your stress and anxiety. The bottom line is: always communicate.

Treat yourself.

Feeling stressed? Take a trip to the spa. Most spa treatments are designed specifically to relax and de-stress you. Before booking a treatment, make sure that they are safe for pregnant women. The following spa treatments are the most popular ones for pregnant women and can work to reduce stress.

Massage: A massage therapist uses essential oils to gently relieve the tension in your muscles and tissues. Most spas offer specialized pregnancy massages so make sure to ask about that before your treatment. 60 minutes later, you’ll be stress-free!

Acupuncture: This treatment uses pins and needles inserted at various pressure points on your body to release pain. It has been proven to reduce stress levels because it releases endorphins in your body. Endorphins are the chemical that work as a natural painkiller, leaving you pain-free and healthy. Acupuncture treatment can sometimes result in a healthier baby and reduce the risks of pregnancy, too.

Floatation Therapy: In the second and third trimesters, you can start to feel pressure on your lungs and organs. This can affect your sleeping patterns and you might have some trouble breathing. Floatation therapy puts you in a weightless environment where you can float without feeling the added pressure caused by pregnancy. By the end of your treatment, you should feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and stress-free.

The steps above should work to reduce your stress. However, if you are still feeling an unusual amount of stress, consult your doctor for further steps.

Contact Us

It takes a very special woman to become a surrogate. If you are interested in giving a deserving couple the gift of life, be sure to contact us at 1-866-41-SURRO or visit our website to learn more about surrogacy and what the process entails.