Keeping you and your partner calm during pregnancy.
You've found your way to cope with the constant and everchanging flow of hormones that can leave your elated one day and anxious and worried the next. You find your zen state and towards the end of your pregnancy your partner starts to amp up their worry state. This is to be expected as you've had the last 8 months to accept and manage your pregnancy, slowly getting used to the idea of motherhood. Your partner typically won't start to really think about being a parent until the looming due date approaches. Then they are all over Dr Google and stressing you both out!
Here are some tips to manage stress and promote a calm environment for you all.
Communicate
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Your partner is trying hard to be the strong support for you and your baby while getting prepared to be the sole bread winner. This is a big responsibility. Your partner may also have some fears or heard stories around birth complications that are troubling them. Have a weekly check in date night and talk about their fears and stress around birth and parenting and seek help if its beyond your scope.
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Before your next check up - write down any questions/concerns from your partner to discuss with your GP/Obstetrician or MidWife so they know they are being heard
Spend time together
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make the most of the warmer weather and take slow strolls on the beach or in a local park, providing the opportunity to talk
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book a couples massage or better still massage each other
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pack a picnic and head outside for lunch and a lie in the sun
Switch off & drop out
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Put your phones on airplane mode and the TV off and spend time having a Sunday afternoon nap
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Take time to breath together, focus on long slow inhales of 4 and slow releasing exhales of 8 to stimulate your relaxation response