Kresil

 

 Life-changing nine months like no other. These are nine months of putting your life at stake for another human being. You see your body continually adjust every day, and it’s a scary yet exciting experience. While what people see are just the physical changes, the nine months of seeing your body accommodate another human being is also an emotional whirlwind. Mary L. Gavin, MD further supports this by saying that “Pregnancy brings a mix of feelings, and not all of them are good. If you’re feeling worried, you’re not alone. Worry is common, especially during a woman’s first pregnancy or an unplanned one. It can be even harder if you’re dealing with depression or anxiety.”

Source: maxpixel.net

 

Thus, more than the physical changes, preggos should also monitor their mental wellbeing. Check some of these key points about why mental wellness is vital for you and your baby.

 

Remember That Mental Wellbeing Is As Important As Physical Wellbeing

In the midst of all your baby preparations, you might be putting your life on hold. Your mental wellbeing should be of equal importance as your physical wellbeing. A majority of moms suffer from anxiety even before childbirth and don’t do anything about it. According to Joel L. Young M.D., “We do know that, left untreated, some mental health disorders can lead to women making unwise choices that compromise their health and their baby’s, such as drinking or using recreational drugs.”

 

If you are visiting your obstetrician at least once a month for your physical workup, why not visit your psychiatrist once a month as well? In doing this, you will be mentally prepared for the arrival of your baby.

 

Remember, your child also feels everything that you are feeling. If you are happy during your pregnancy, chances are your child will be a happy camper too. On the other hand, if you feel anxious most of the time about your pregnancy, your child’s mental and emotional development will be negatively affected as well. Katherine Wisner, MD reminds colleagues about treating patients, “If you’re going to treat a pregnant woman with a medicine, you owe it to her to treat her effectively, because the justification is reducing that disease burden. We don’t want to treat women partway. We want to reduce that disease burden fully.”

 

Prevent Postpartum Depression And After-Childbirth Issues

Source: pexels.com

A lot of new mothers suffer from different mental health issues after childbirth. Due to their additional roles, trauma from childbirth, and taking care of a newborn, some moms even suffer from depression. If left unaddressed, postpartum depression can adversely affect both mother and child. Some mothers tend to take postpartum depression lightly. They think that the baby’s needs are more important than their own emotional wellbeing.

 

Do you remember the story about the mother who left her home out of the blue and went for suicide? However, this story is a concrete example of the reality of postpartum depression: unless you take action, depression can lead to suicide.

 

Put in mind that you cannot give the best care for your child if you are unwell. Don’t worry too much! There is still hope. As an expectant mother, you can still prevent postpartum mental health problems from happening to you.

 

What You Can Do

Now that you know that mental wellness is essential, especially for pregnant women, you might be asking: what should I do?

 

• Enjoy Your Time Alone

When did you have your last breather? Take time to relax and enjoy. Put your list of things to buy and things to do on hold. Appreciate your surroundings by going around your neighborhood. You can also go for window shopping in a mall.

Source: pxhere.com

 

• Talk To Your Husband Or Partner

If you are already overwhelmed with your upcoming responsibilities or you are anxious because of your growing belly, share your feelings with your husband or partner. You can discuss your worries with your partner over dinner or while doing your afternoon walk. You will surely feel relieved after.

 

• Eat Healthily

What you eat during your pregnancy also affects your emotional wellbeing. Try eating balanced meals every day and see how it changes your daily outlook.

 

• Sleep Well

Don’t underestimate the power of sleep. If you have a full rest, you will feel more energized. Meanwhile, if you get less than 7 hours of sleep daily, your baby’s development will be affected.

Source: pixabay.om

 

• Seek Therapy

Going for therapy is one of the best decisions you can make for your mental wellbeing. When you have a trusted and professional confidante, you will feel more relaxed. Moreover, your therapist will help you ease into your new role as a mother.

 

In summary, maintaining mental wellness is needed by all pregnant women. While most pregnant women tend to focus on their physical health, mental wellness is essential in taking care of your baby. If you take care of your mental health during pregnancy, you can also prevent having mental health issues after your delivery.

 

Word Count: 687

 

 

Experiencing an unwanted pregnancy might be one of the biggest challenges one may face. Coming to terms with this unplanned event may give an intense emotional dilemma to a woman. This stress may even intensify more when a woman is not in a relationship. This lack of support from a partner sometimes leads to mental health disorders, specifically depression. Hilary S. Connery, M.D., Ph.D. and co-authors say that “Unplanned pregnancies are associated with higher rates of maternal infections, obstetric complications, low birth weight, childhood growth stunting, poor child development, and subsequent child abuse or neglect.”

Depression Caused By Unwanted Pregnancy

For some, pregnancy is one of the happiest happenings in a woman’s life. However, for those women who experience an unwanted pregnancy, this phase might be a time of fear, stress, and confusion. “The pregnant woman may also have worries about the delivery of her baby or about her inadequacy as a mother,” states Amy Kranzler, PhD.

Source: pixabay.com

During pregnancy, some women experience antepartum depression. It is caused by the hormone changes which significantly affect the chemicals in the brain. This process usually leads to anxiety and depression. Add to this depression the stress brought about by the unwanted pregnancy, and most likely, these women will face a more serious case of depression.

Women in this challenging phase usually experience the following symptoms for a minimum of 2 weeks:

• Difficulty in concentrating, focusing, and thinking
• Unable to sleep properly
• Persistent sadness
• Regular thoughts of suicide, death, and hopelessness
• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
• Panic attacks and anxiety
• Change in eating habits
• Lacking energy
• Feeling irritable most of the time

Source: flickr.com

Steps To Deal With Depression

Anyone who experiences depression might find themselves lost. Hence, knowing the steps to deal with this mental health illness is critical to overcoming this kind of depression.

• One of the most important things is to look for emotional support. This support can be your partners or any family member. Make sure to talk to people that you trust, so it is easier to overcome the sadness and emotional rollercoaster. Joining support groups may also help gain more emotional support.
• Consider counseling. If you are having difficulty in making a decision, seeking help from professional counselors may help. Experiencing unwanted pregnancies sometimes lead to feeling ambivalence and resentment towards the baby. Counseling may guide someone to sort out these feelings.

Source: pixabay.com

• Changing some lifestyle factors may also address this mental health problem. These changes include having a healthy diet, reducing stress, engaging in regular exercise, and learning relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.
• Another treatment includes taking medications, particularly antidepressants. However, you must first consult a professional before trying this kind of approach. Medications have some unwanted effects on newborns like heart problems, physical malformations, low birth weight, and pulmonary hypertension. Hence, individuals should not rely on this kind of approach.
• Herbal remedies also positively affect moods and the hormone serotonin. Pregnant women should seek help from their nutritionists what kind of remedies to take. It is essential to not use these supplements without the go signal of professionals since some remedies clash with other medications taken by pregnant women.

Adenike Bitto, MD and collaborators explain that, “Pregnancy intention connotes the complex process dealing with the desire of an individual or a couple to achieve or avoid conception.” If faced with an unwanted pregnancy, it is essential to take the points above seriously. Engaging yourself with these practices may help overcome the depression you are feeling and figure out the best solution for both you, as a mother, and your baby.

 

 

 

If you are considering New York as a place to practice being a psychologist, then you’re most likely deciding for the best. As someone who has years of experience in the profession, I can genuinely say that this is probably the most rewarding career path ever. You might feel that I’m a little bit biased for I have been in this career path for a long time now, but rest assured that I am as objective as I can be.

Source: pexels.com

Before I start discussing my reasons why I consider New York as the best place to be a psychologist, I want to state a disclaimer first. Remember that when I’m talking about this profession, I am referring to private practice—not working in a clinic, hospital, or school setting. I’m not belittling those who are taking their practices in these avenues. Instead, I’m just not exposed and credible enough to generalize the practice of psychology in those contexts.

Being A Psychologist In New York

There are several reasons why being a psychologist in this city is the best experience someone could ask for. Let me share some with you.

• You get to meet the most talented, dynamic, and brilliant people in the world. New York is a state which caters to almost EVERY job position in the whole world. Because of the diverse environment the city offers, you will most likely encounter different types of personalities. You might meet people from seven different countries all in one day. It is an excellent avenue for you to expand your knowledge regarding people’s behavior and their culture.
• Being a psychologist in New York also helps you become an expert about the city without even putting so much effort into it. The diversity of your audience gives you a platform that teaches you about city life, fashion, latest trends, art, and anything about New York. For example, you get to talk with your clients about various theater acts after they watch the show or you get to learn from them regarding their latest technological innovation at work.
• You also will feel that you are making a difference in the world through this role. Since you get to meet various individuals in different fields, you’ll think that you contribute to the world’s betterment if you get to help your clients in their problems. For example, I had a session with an environmentalist who was not in the best condition when I met her. Luckily, she was able to recover from her problems after our series of sessions. Now, she’s spearheading the best environmental initiatives in the city. It makes me feel that I have contributed to these initiatives by helping her.

Source: flickr.com

How To Be A Psychologist In New York

You now have a peek on how the life of a New York psychologist goes. If you believe that the big city is indeed the best place to practice the profession, then familiarizing yourself with the process of obtaining your professional license is crucial.

Step 1: Obtain a doctoral degree in psychology.

After graduating from your undergraduate degree, you need to get a doctoral degree. The state wants to make sure that their psychologists are exposed enough with the ins and outs of the profession. Note, however, that you should only take programs that are registered as “licensure-qualifying” to get accredited.

Step 2: Accomplish the experience requirements.

Before you get your license, you have to reach the experience requirements first. You must accomplish at least two years’ worth of experience, equivalent to 1750 work hours per year. There are two options on how to go about this:

• Teach psychology in a college or university.
• Take part in a university-approved doctoral-level field experience, research, internship, or practicum. Research work for your thesis or dissertation does not count as working hours.

Step 3: Pass the psychologist licensure examination.

Source: flickr.com

The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) handled by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards is the only industry-specific test that caters to psychologists. The EPPP covers several topics, these being the following:

• Research methods and statistics
• Biological bases of behavior
• Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision
• Cognitive-affective bases of behavior
• Assessment and diagnosis
• Social and cultural bases of behavior
• Growth and lifespan development
• Ethical/legal/professional issues

Being a psychologist in the Big Apple is indeed the most significant thing that has ever happened to me. I know that you’ll have doubts somewhere along the way, but always remember that pushing for this career path is not only fun and exciting but also rewarding.

 

 

A few weeks or months ago, you were so thrilled to see two adjacent lines on your pregnancy test. Now, you might be feeling restless, worried, and unable to sleep because of the paranoia that something might go wrong. During this time, you might be experiencing various changes in your body and even in your whole life—random people touching your belly, your family treating you like a princess, and your partner panicking with you.

Believe it or not, anxiety is common during pregnancy. However, it is essential that this problem does not rule your life. There are several ways on how to beat pregnancy anxiety. Here are some which you can use to cope with your thoughts and emotions during this stage.

Look For Support

Source: army.mil

If you are experiencing this feeling, you should talk to someone with what you are feeling. Your partner, family, or friends may be able to provide you with some support. You do not have to tell them everything; just releasing what you feel may help you ease your head a little bit.

If you do not have the courage to consult these people, you may also seek the help of a professional therapist who is trained to address these kinds of problem. You can even look for those who specialize in servicing pregnancy women.

Meditate

Source: pixabay.com

“Mediation is an easy and simple way to help deal with some of these challenges, making this memorable journey enjoyable.” says Dr. Sherry Ross, M.D., OB-GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. If you have not tried meditation before, now is the perfect time to start. Meditation is an effective way to put out some stress and calm you. The goal of meditation is to alleviate your pregnancy anxiety by quieting your mind for a certain period. It might be difficult to attain, especially for beginners, but practicing on a regular basis will help you achieve this peace of mind.

To guide you, all you need is to position yourself in a quiet area for a minimum of 10 minutes. Some people prefer meditating in the morning so they can live peacefully throughout the day. However, others choose to do this before they go to sleep. The important thing is to make sure to meditate every day, preferably at the same time as well.

Choose A Doctor You Trust

It is crucial to look for a clinic and doctor whom you can trust. This way, you will be able to feel safe throughout your pregnancy. You should find yourself comfortable asking questions about the pregnancy and calling about concerns outside clinic hours. If ever your doctor is condescending and dismissive, make sure to see another doctor.

A piece of advice: if your doctor is not worried, you do not have to worry either. It means that you are going through normal pregnancy situations to the point that your doctor is confident with this since he or she has encountered many similar instances with that of yours.

Cut Down Your Stress

“Pregnant women need to be educated in recognizing when they have stress, the consequences and some of the simple things they can do to make a difference.” says Dr. Calvin Hobel, MD, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Cedars Sinai and a professor of obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Stress at work and home always increases anxiety. Even though you cannot avoid some degree of stress, it is still important to look for ways to reduce stress. Here are some suggestions for you to do:

• Lessen your work hours if possible. Try to consult your bosses regarding this decision.
• Make a schedule for your whole day. Doing this will help maximize your time and eventually avoid stressful happenings.
• Ask help from your partner, friends, and families when it comes to errands and tasks in your home and work. This way, you will be able to lighten your load.

Exercise

Source: flickr.com

“We know that exercise can, and does, alter brain chemicals such as endocannabinoids, GABA and glutamate, helping to improve both anxiety and depression,” says Dr Lynne Drummond, Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer with South West London and St George’s NHS Mental Health Trust.  It is important to find activities where you can release your stress and anxiety. Physical activities release endorphins in your body which serve as natural painkillers inside your brain. Moving your body through yoga, jogging, running, or any other sport can help you with this. Any activity which gets your body moving can help you with this process.

For its full effectivity, doctors recommend dedicating at least 10 minutes of any kind of aerobic activity. However, it is crucial to speak with a professional with the best exercise routine which will not negatively affect the pregnancy.

Create A Journal

There may be times that you are not comfortable talking about your feelings, but it is essential that all of those emotions go somewhere. This way, it won’t build up inside you.

Starting a journal may be the best way to let out your thoughts without having to be scared of the fear of judgment. Writing these helps you reflect and organize all of your worries. It can help you track your stressors and triggers which your doctor can use to craft the best strategy for your recovery.

Anxiety during pregnancy is normal. However, you have to remember that what alleviates another individual’s anxiety might not lessen yours. Hence, it is important to try different strategies for you to be able to figure out what works for you.

 

 

Seeing your baby for the first time can bring about a mix of emotions. Happiness, joy, excitement, a bit of fear and maybe, some anxiety are valid feelings especially after undergoing the pains of labor and birth. These waves of emotions will pass for some and everything will be back to normal again. For other mothers, it’s not that easy. Their worry and stress become so strong which will turn into depression – postpartum depression.

  

Source: i2.cdn.cnn.com

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

After childbirth, the new mother will experience a condition called postpartum baby blues. It will not last for a long time, though, maybe a week or two at most. If the baby blues don’t go away after two weeks, it can be a more serious health disorder which can eventually lead to PPD. “Ten to twenty percent of women experience significant depressive symptoms after the birth of a child. Of these, 5 to 10% experience severe depressive symptoms, meaning that about 1% of women develop a severe depression after childbirth,” says Eugene Rubin, Ph.D.

Here are some signs of postpartum baby blues that goes away after a few days:

• Change in moods
• Being anxious
• Sadness
• Touchiness
• Overwhelmed
• Tearful
• Can’t focus
• Lack of appetite
• Sleep problems

If the mother will feel the above-mentioned signs for longer than two weeks and the feelings are intense or severe, then, it may be PPD. Here are other symptoms of PPD, aside from the ones already listed:

Source: s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com

• Can’t feel that baby bond
• Isolating self from family and friends
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Excessive eating or not eating at all
• Fatigued all the time
• No energy to get up from bed or to move
• Angry all the time
• Fear of not being a good mother
• Guilty feelings
• Thinking that you’re worthless, hopeless or helpless
• Can’t seem to think well, plan, organize or make sound decisions
• Panic attacks
• Thinking about self-harming
• Contemplating suicide and/or death

“The experience of shame can interact with depression in important ways that can maintain or worsen the severity of clinical depression. Classically, the depressed person engages in behaviors that they aren’t proud of,” says Erin Mendoza, PsyD.

Postpartum depression is not a micro disorder. It is a real condition which can be critical for the person suffering from it when left untreated. If you are a mother who just gave birth and you’ve been experiencing the at least five of the signs and symptoms mentioned above for more than 15 days, then, you need to see a mental health care professional.

What to expect from your mental health care provider

Source: static.oprah.com

Most of those who have been diagnosed with Postpartum Depression is recommended to do two things – seek continuous mental health treatment and to take antidepressants until cured.

For mental health treatment, psychotherapy or talk therapy are preferred. “Individual therapy can be helpful, but we found that when mothers are involved in therapy groups where they discuss their experience of depression with other mothers, that they feel validated, greater understanding and an increased sense of social support, according to women who have participated,” says Roseanne Clark, PhD. You go to a shrink and then talk about what makes you feel the way you feel. You can also opt for anonymous chat sessions if you don’t want a face to face encounter with your therapist.

As for medication, some antidepressants are harmless for those who are breastfeeding. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe these medicines for you and you must take it as directed. Consult with your mental health care provider on the side-effects of pills on you and your baby.

 

How to Handle Teenage Pregnancy

Writers Name: Shayma Vawda

Blog URL: kresil.com

 

Source: verywell.com

Hearing that you’re pregnant will enjoying teenage hood is never easy. Especially after you have made plans for the future and your career. It might sound as though your world has been shattered and that you have no chance of living your life and dreams ever again. This is false. It is normal to feel depressed and anxious during this stage, in this case, talk therapy might be necessary.

Many teenagers also feel frightened about how their parents might react when they find out that their daughter is pregnant. Pregnancy becomes stressful for teens.

“A mother-to-be’s perception of her internal environment (inside her body) and external environment (surrounding her body) affect her state of mind and her physiology, which are inextricably interconnected,” writes Ann Diamond Weinstein Ph.D.

How to Handle Teenage Pregnancy

Stress is harmful to pregnancy. You need to take care of yourself and your baby too. Here are some tips that can help you with making your pregnancy less stressful:

Visit a Pregnancy Center:

Search for pregnancy centers that are closest to you. You can check online for centers that are closest to you. At these centers, you can have tests done, ultrasounds, you will also get educated on pregnancy, sex, and planning. They will also help you to get through your pregnancy emotionally.

 

Talk to Your Parents and Inform Them About Your Pregnancy:

 

Source: familyeducation.com

You need to inform your parents immediately. Don’t procrastinate telling them. They need to know. It might be scary for you and it will probably be quite a shock for them. They might also feel angry upon hearing about it. However, parents love their children unconditionally and they will support you. If you can’t speak to them, then you should consider speaking to another adult that you are close to, such as a sibling, teacher, another family member, grandparent, etc.

When You Consider Abortion or Adoption:

Your parents might suggest these options in anger. However, you need to think carefully about this. If you’re thinking about abortion, you might regret it later. It can also be traumatic If you’re considering adoption, you might also regret it and your child will also grow up feeling unwanted and unloved. So, think about your options carefully.

“Women who choose abortion do so because of the negative effects of continuing the pregnancy on their mental health and that of their existing children and significant others,” writes Robert J King Ph.D.

Inform Your Partner:

Source: psychologytoday.com

You’re not the only one that’s responsible for your pregnancy and the new life that is currently developing. Therefore, the partner should also share some of the responsibilities and his parents should also know about it. They can help you emotionally and financially as well.

Focus on Your Future:

As mentioned above, not all hope is lost. Your dreams are not shattered and you can continue to live your life, just as you planned with your baby. Make the necessary arrangements at your school. If you were planning to get a tertiary education, you can study online.

Be Receptive of Advice or Support:

During pregnancy, you will get emotional and it is important to be receptive of support that you will get. Seek support from your partner, parents, family members, friends, etc. The advice that you receive might also seem overwhelming, but everyone around you means well and they want to help you with having a healthy pregnancy.

“Pregnant women often complain about receiving insufficient social and emotional support from their partners. Such support is important because twenty five percent of women experience elevated symptoms of depression after giving birth,” writes Guy Winch Ph.D.

Take Care of Yourself:

Accept your pregnancy and make peace with it. You also need to take care of your physical health. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. You will need plenty of rest to help you get through. You can continue with your life during your pregnancy, you can attend school and study. However, in your third trimester, you might need to take some time off and relax.

Preparing for Birth:

Not only teens are afraid of this, but also adults. You should consult your midwife or doctor about the birthing options and seek advice from your parents and other adults. Be sure, to have lots of support on the day you go into labor.

References: Wiki How

How to Keep Your Marriage Alive During Pregnancy and After

  

Source: ph.theasianparent.com

It’s common for partners to drift apart after the birth of a baby because the mom becomes busy nurturing her little one, leaving little to no time for her partner. It is also normal for partners to lack intimacy during pregnancy because the husband becomes afraid of hurting or harming the baby. During pregnancy, the mother to need extra tender loving care and sometimes just someone to talk to. Someone whom she can share her feelings and emotions with, without being judged.

How to Keep Your Marriage Alive During Pregnancy

Your life is probably turbulent of emotions and you need that extra support. You also need to make the most of your time with your partner before your baby is born. Here are some tips that can help you:

Talk to Your Partner:

 

Source: thebalance.com

 

Your partner will know how you’re feeling until you tell him about it. Share your feelings with him whenever you’re feeling low. Confide in him and share your feelings openly.

“Communication in love relationships is a function of emotional connection. When people feel connected, they communicate fine, and when they feel disconnected they communicate poorly, regardless of their choice of words and communication techniques,” writes Steven Stosny, Ph.D.

Go on a Holiday:

Be careful when you are in your last semester of pregnancy and it is also better not to go far. Go somewhere close by and enjoy your time alone with your husband. Your time with your husband will be limited once the baby is born, so make the most of it.

“Going on vacation with your significant other can indeed help you get to know each other better, make new joint memories, and try new things together – all beneficial for couplehood,” writes Jelena Kecmanovic Ph.D.

Have Sex:

It is important to maintain your intimacy during pregnancy and after. To maintain a healthy and happy marriage, intimacy plays an important role. During pregnancy, it might be uncomfortable and might seem as though it’s impossible. You can Google some sex positions that are comfortable and safe for you to try out. Or you could ask your primary healthcare giver.

“A sustaining, energized sexual relationship is a product of an integration of multiple facets. It grows over time from being in sync with each other’s values and outlook; your desires and fears about your journey together; your life goals, both individually and as a couple,” writes Douglas LaBier Ph.D.

Get Him Involved in Your Pregnancy:

 

Source: pregnancyandbaby.com

Apart from sharing your feelings with him, you should involve him more in your pregnancy. Ask him to accompany you to doctors’ visits, ultrasounds, and birthing classes. Allow him to also get educated about pregnancy and birthing.

How to Keep Your Marriage Alive After Giving Birth

After your baby is born, there will be a joy as well as tiredness and frustration. Taking care of an infant can take a lot of time and often leaves you feeling drained. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your marriage alive after baby:

Ask Your Partner to Help You with the Baby:

 

Source: losebabyweight.com.au

After all, the responsibilities should be shared. Ask him to help you with the chores or with the baby so that you can take a little time to relax.

Be Flirtatious:

Send flirty and sexy pictures to your husband while he’s at work. This will set the mood. It will also keep the spark alive in your marriage.

Plan Dates:

You can ask your parents or his parents to babysit for you. Even if it’s just for a few hours. During this time, you can plan a date with your partner. You can go out for dinner or just stay at home and have sex.

Nap During the Day:

The best time to catch up on some sleep is when your baby is sleeping during the day. Finish all your chores early and take some time to rest. This way when your husband returns home you will be revitalized. Even if you don’t have sex, you can still spend some time together.

Do Things at Home with Your Partner:

You don’t need to always spend time with your partner out of the house. You can do things at home too, even if it’s not sex. Enjoy a nice soak in the bathtub with your man or watch a romantic movie together. Do things that you both enjoy. This will also strengthen the bond between the two of you.