For any woman who has experienced the anxiety of pregnancy or after birth, it can feel like a very dark time. You may feel like you’re not enjoying pregnancy or that you’re failing as a mother. You may feel like you’re not good enough, or that you’re not coping as well as you think you “should be”. But it is possible to recover from severe anxiety and enjoy parenthood despite these invading feelings.
This book, Break Free From Maternal Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide for Pregnancy, Birth and the First Postnatal Year, will help you understand the effects of anxiety during pregnancy as a mother and guide your recovery using easy-to-follow evidence-based techniques. With straightforward examples and practical exercises to move through at your own pace, it provides the tools to help you move forward and enjoy parenthood to the fullest!
Read More: How to Use Meditation for a Healthy Pregnancy in 2022
What Exactly is Maternal Anxiety & What does Pregnancy Anxiety Feel Like??
Moms, are you struggling with the anxiety of pregnancy? First, you have to self-evaluate and decide if this is you or not. Are you pregnant and feeling scared or unprepared? Are you fearful of how labor and delivery will go? If so, this self-help book and guide are for you! This book is incredible because it provides helpful information and advice for overcoming anxiety during all three stages of parenting.
But, what is anxiety? Is it a feeling? A negative mindset shift? First, understand what anxiety is, but in this case, let’s break it down even further and focus on maternal anxiety. Maternal anxiety is defined as “a state of fear, uneasiness, and worry related to pregnancy and childbirth” by the American Psychiatric Association. And it’s very common! In fact, 1 in 9 women experiences maternal anxiety and/or anxiety of pregnancy. Some of the symptoms and signs of pregnancy anxiety that women may feel/suffer from (silently) and during postpartum can include the following:
-Feeling scared or unprepared for pregnancy
-Fearing labor and delivery
-Having doubts about being a good mother
-Experiencing overwhelming thoughts and feelings
-Feeling like you’re not good enough or coping poorly
-Suffering from intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
-Excessive worry about your baby’s health or development
-Sleep problems and fatigue
-Physical symptoms such as nausea, trembling, and shortness of breath
If you can identify with any of the above, please know that you are not alone and that there is hope! For many women, pregnancy and early motherhood are among the most anxiety-provoking experiences of their lives. After all, they are responsible for the health and well-being of another human being. However, it is important to remember that these feelings of anxiety are normal and a common part of the experience; however, you don’t want it to get out of control and affect your mental, emotional, and even your physical health.
If this is you, and you truly feel like Oh my gosh, yes, this is me, I feel these symptoms of anxiety during pregnancy, then there are many things that you can do to help manage your anxiety during any part of motherhood. First, it is important to educate yourself about what to expect during pregnancy and parenting. This will help you to identify any red flags or warning signs. Secondly, it is important to develop a support system of family and friends who can offer emotional and practical support to help you avoid negative feelings of anxiety of pregnancy.
Finally, it is important to take care of yourself by eating well, exercising regularly – even when “life happens”, and getting enough sleep (intentionally ask your partner, friends or family to stay the night and watch the kids while you sleep). By taking these steps, you can help to break free from maternal anxiety and create a healthy and happy environment for your family. This book will help you do exactly that.
Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth: What You Need to Know
Now, when it comes to severe anxiety during pregnancy and after birth, it is more common than you might think. It affects up to 1 in 10 women during pregnancy and 1 in 5 women after having a baby. And yet, it’s often seen as a taboo subject. Women are afraid to talk about it, for fear of being judged or seen as weak, or worse… your feelings aren’t “real”.
But the truth is, severe anxiety or the anxiety of pregnancy and beyond is a real medical condition that requires treatment. Left untreated, it can have a profound impact on your mental health, your relationship with your partner, and your ability to bond with your baby. And that is the last thing you want for your family.
So what causes severe anxiety during pregnancy and after birth? There are many factors that can contribute, including hormonal changes, lack of sleep, stress, a traumatic birthing experience, and previous experience with anxiety or depression. If you’re struggling with severe anxiety, it’s important to seek help from a general practitioner or another health professional. There are many effective treatments available, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), medication, and support groups.
The Importance of Seeking Help for Severe Anxiety
Severe anxiety stemming from the anxiety of pregnancy or birth can be extremely disabling and there’s no shame in admitting that you need help. No mother CAN do it “all”. It can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, or even leave the house. If you’re struggling to cope with everyday life, it’s important to seek help sooner than later. The sooner you get treatment, the better for you and your baby and other children (if you have them). Treatment for severe anxiety can be very effective in reducing your symptoms and helping you to enjoy parenthood.
Read More: The Undeniable Importance Of Mental Health Awareness During Pregnancy
The Step-by-Step Approach
Cambridge University Press is releasing this must-have book in early 2023 to address and assist mothers suffering from maternal anxiety. The book offers practical guidance for mothers experiencing perinatal anxiety that will not only help them feel understood but will also provide the knowledge to overcome their problems. This book is a much-needed resource for all mothers who are struggling with anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum. It will help moms understand their thoughts and feelings, develop a support system, and take care of themselves so they can be the best mother possible.
This book also addresses a wide variety of perinatal anxiety and offers tools to support all of them. The book will cover topics such as:
– persistent and distressing worry
– The symptoms of perinatal anxiety and how it can impact your life
– Specific phobias affecting pregnancy and the postnatal period
Anxiety and adjusting to motherhood
– Tips for managing anxiety during pregnancy and after birth
– Unwanted intrusive thoughts of harm
– Coping with traumatic experiences while pregnant and after birth
The great news is, this book provides examples and worksheets for charting each mom’s progress toward their individualized goals in a clear and accessible format. It’s not just reading about how to cope, manage, and overcome maternal and the anxiety of pregnancy, moms actually get to do something about it and empower themselves!
Looking Ahead to a Brighter Future: How to Overcome Severe Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth
Cambridge University Press and Assessment help millions of people worldwide unlock their potential. Their qualifications, assessments, academic publications, and original research spread knowledge, spark curiosity, and aid understanding around the world. The goal of this book is to provide a comprehensive resource for mothers suffering from the anxiety of pregnancy or postpartum anxiety. This book will be an invaluable resource for all mothers struggling with maternal anxiety.
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Break Free from Maternal Anxiety
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