The COVID-19 pandemic which has swept across the globe is still prevalent and very much affecting our lives in the UK and some more than others. If you have been deemed in a high-risk category, for your age, underlying condition or, in this case, pregnancy, it can be a very stressful time. Your everyday life will have changed dramatically and rumours of having to go through childbirth alone and the various other scary realities are enough to cause serious amounts of stress. That’s why we believe it’s best to stick to what we do know and acknowledge that stress is not good for pregnancy!
What we do Know About Pregnancy and COVID-19
Information regarding pregnancy and Coronavirus is being updated day by day but what we currently know is that, despite pregnant women being more likely to pick up infections, they do not seem to be more affected by the COVID-19 infection than non-pregnant people. The same appears to be true for everyone – most people will experience the infection with mild symptoms and recover well enough. It does not appear to spread vertically from the mother to the baby and babies testing positive with the disease seem to have contracted it afterwards rather than during pregnancy. So, if mother and baby stay well in safe and hygienic environments, everyone should be well!
What’s really important is to make time for self-care and being gentle with yourself to ensure stress is reduced and both you and your baby are happy.
Massage
A great way to unwind and relax is with a gentle massage. Ask a partner for a shoulder massage or, better yet, a foot massage! Get off your feet for a while, slow down, ease some tension and relax. Massage with oils can also increase circulation and help ease or prevent stretch marks so it really is a win-win!
Deep Breathing
Stress can affect your whole body but focusing on your breathing is one of the quickest and easiest ways to de-stress and reset your body. When we are tense or stressed, it can physically affect our digestion, our heart rate and even the quality of air we breathe. Slowing down and focusing on our breathing resets the body, releases tension and quickly calms us down.
Stretching
Even if you don’t realise it, your body and your muscles can tense up and tighten when you are stressed. Stretching is a great way to counteract tightness, relieve stress and release endorphins into the body to uplift the mood. Take just a few minutes to stretch your neck, back, arms, shoulders and legs to ground your mind and take care of your body.
Connecting with Others
A problem shared is a problem halved. Pregnant women have been advised to stay inside and have been social distancing long before the general public. We don’t want this to lead to loneliness or isolation, so it’s especially important to connect and communicate with others, be it in person with the people of your household or over the phone with socially distant friends and family. Share how you are feeling and be reassured by the people closest to you.
Pregnancy is a wonderful but unique and sometimes challenging experience, especially when there seems so much to stress about. Take care of your mental and physical health during this time, slow down, gain perspective and really put yourself first. And, of course, remember, we are still here for you at Chelsea Birth Clinic, delivering lots of healthy babies in a calm and comfortable setting.
