(Yes, that’s CHOCOLATE!) When Pregnant, We’re Just Different: How To Maintain Sanity

Pregnancy brain? Hormonal, x35,000? Feel like a complete MENTAL CASE?

All things pretty common when we’re pregnant.

Thoughts like:

“If I JUST had a big hunk of extra sharp cheddar cheese RIGHT NOW, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, would be fine!” (And add to that, a few (?) pieces of chocolate, and we’re set!)

“If anyone else calls me on the phone,  I WILL HUNT THEM DOWN, STEAL THEIR PHONE, BREAK IT, AND THROW THE PIECES IN THEIR FACE!”

“I AM NO LONGER HAPPY THAT YOU WILL BE THE FATHER OF THIS CHILD!”

Whoa, Nelly.   What happened? I was fine (well, most of the month, anyway) a month ago, six months ago, nine months ago.

What happened, is, for sure, hormonal changes. What exactly, and why exactly? Not clear. But we need to give ourselves a break.

The whole truth is this: When we are pregnant, we are, in many ways, simply a DIFFERENT PERSON. We have a different makeup.

We could theorize that we are in need of more protection ourselves, as we’re protecting a most fragile being, increasingly growing inside of us.

And modern day culture, which does not encourage a woman to rest for anything,  fuels us an uphill battle.

We feel like we should do it all. Be pregnant, and run a marathon, while keeping a full time job, fully managing the house, and of course, taking care of any children we already have. Not to mention keeping up a good marriage. It’s a lot. Guess what? It’s too much.

Ladies, our priority is to take it easy, however we need to, in our own pregnancies. For some women, this means energy levels aren’t much different (at least perhaps until the end of pregnancy;), and others feel a huge energy drop just after conception.

The most practical tips are simple:

1. EAT.

Eat well. (Whole grains, fruits, veggies, PROTEIN. Did I mention that extra sharp cheddar cheese? I seem to have needed that for weeks one pregnancy.)

EAT FREQUENTLY – you might prefer smaller meals, 6-7 x/s day, including middle of the night. (My husband LOVES to joke about my 3am escapades. Where’d those last two, three, four pieces of gourmet pizza go?)

2. DRINK.

DRINK WELL. (Tea, whole fruit juices, not sugary ones, and water.)

DRINK FREQUENTLY.

3. If you feel up to it, EXERCISE.

Break a sweat, work the muscles. Doesn’t have to be what you did pre-pregnancy, not even close – depends on how you feel. Just follow your body, and you’ll know what feels good during, and afterward. YOU, AND ONLY YOU, KNOW.

4. BLOOD TESTS.

Your prenatal care provider should be sending you for regular blood tests to monitor your health. Iron levels, for example, can affect energy levels.

5. HOMEOPATHY/HERBALIST/DOCTOR.

If you feel like you’re drinking & eating well, exercising to your beat, and you still feel depressed, or overly low on energy, consider a good homeopath and/or herbalist. They will screen you well and determine some good supplements for you, which often do the trick. If you have a history of needing antidepressants, and/or feel that none of the above solutions are working for you, consider speaking with a doctor about medication suitable for pregnancy.

Overall, know that you know yourself. Give yourself your time to yourself. Baths, reading, napping all over the place, hire a maid (the money will come back to you), whatever you need.  (Wanna laugh? Read “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy” by Vicki Iovine. A must.)

Relax. Drop your shoulders.

And above all, there’s no need to explain nor apologize. Just do your thing, and those around you will get it. And they’ll ultimately be happier for you, and with you. And hey, you can always remind yourself it’s for your baby.

Feel great, feel healthy,

Chaya

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Image Credit: BOX OF CHOCOLATE © Cristian andrei Matei | Dreamstime.com