Becoming pregnant is a dream come true for many women. You have wanted this for a long time and now that it is happening, it seems surreal! However, being pregnant during this current pandemic is not exactly ideal.

Since March 2020, the world has been in a state of collective stress brought about by COVID-19. And if you’re in your first pregnancy, you definitely have a right to worry, especially since COVID is a highly transmissible virus. 

Furthermore, according to the Center for Disease Control, pregnant women are identified as a vulnerable population in the face of this pandemic. If you are expecting and get infected, you are more likely to be hospitalized and ventilated. And getting COVID and passing it on to your baby is definitely a worrisome thought. Your baby’s health may also be affected as the risk of preterm birth is heightened.

In the face of this, you might be thinking that your stress level is way through the roof. That’s definitely not good for you or your baby. Pregnancy is already stressful enough on its own. The pandemic is definitely not helping matters.

And while we have all been through stressful situations at some point in our lives, this is definitely a whole new situation. Certain things that we did to cope, things that we took for granted before, are now more difficult to do.

For example, our access to social support from family and friends has been limited to virtual meet-ups. Doctor visits are now more complicated, requiring extra protection and appointments scheduled weeks in advance.

However, do not lose hope. Despite the bleak outlook with COVID-19 variants emerging and prolonging the pandemic, there are still ways to manage pandemic pregnancy stress.

We listed five tips to help you focus on you and your baby’s physical and mental health in these challenging times. Let’s get to it, shall we?

5 tips to help you cope with pandemic pregnancy stress

1. Live a healthy lifestyle.

Things that we used to take for granted before because of our busy schedules and the frenzy of daily living have now taken center stage. If there’s anything that this pandemic is good for, it’s that it has taught us to prioritize our health and wellbeing. If there is ever a time for you to start on that healthy lifestyle, now is the time to do it. 

We know now that we need to make healthier food choices because good nutrition helps strengthen our immune system. It has also become much more important for expecting moms to get the recommended hours of rest and sleep. Being active even just by doing simple exercises such as walking has become imperative. 

With most of us confined in our homes and having more time in our hands, pregnant women like you can focus their energies on transitioning to healthier lifestyles. It’s not only good for you but also for your babies. After all, when you live healthier, you will also feel better. Thus, you will feel less stressed.

2. Talk more to your partner for physical and emotional support.

Sometimes, we all just need someone to talk to and share our feelings with. Usually, after that happens, we feel much better since we were able to express what we felt. 

So if you feel stressed, to help you manage it, you may want to turn to and talk more to your partner for that much-needed physical and emotional comfort and support. Your partner may not know that you are stressed – and they will never know unless you tell them. Now is a good time as any to strengthen your physical and emotional connection as you both go through the pandemic as expectant parents to your little one. That way, you know your partner has your back as you go on your pregnancy journey. 

Also, aside from talking, spend quality time with your partner. Don’t let being pregnant or the pandemic stop you from enjoying the things that you both like to do. Plus, being constantly present on a daily basis provides you and your partner with the opportunity to marvel at special moments of your pregnancy, like say, when your baby moves in your tummy or when it kicks.

And don’t forget to plan with your partner those times after you give birth. Planning for pregnancy is important, but so is the period after. And even if plans change, you at least get a sense that you are prepared. That helps you feel calm and peaceful. 

3. Keep in touch with your doctor for any questions.

As mentioned above, doctor visits are now a hassle. You also get the added concern of getting sick or infected if ever you visit your doctor in person. But thankfully, there is a new way to access doctors: telemedicine. 

Telemedicine is basically a doctor’s house call, but all done online. That way, you get to see your doctor with no health risks involved.

Telemedicine has enabled expecting moms easier access to their doctors for any questions or concerns they may have in relation to their pregnancies. So if you have any questions for your doctor, ask away, especially if it will help you feel at ease.

4. Do all that you can to protect yourself and your baby from infection.

One of the most important ways to deal with the stress of the pandemic is to protect yourself and your baby. Stay home as much as you can. And when you do have to go out, strictly follow minimum public health and safety protocols.

It is important too that you get vaccinated. While you may be concerned about getting the vaccine, there is evidence that shows the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks to you and your baby’s health.

And if you do all that you can to protect yourself and your baby, you’ll feel more at ease because it’s highly unlikely you’ll get COVID.

5. Take time for yourself every day.

With everything that’s happening in your life, things may get overwhelming at times. Make sure that you get some quiet and alone time for you and your baby every day. Do some breathing exercises, meditate, or read a good book. 

Designate a space in your home for your quiet time. Let your partner and family know that when you are in that space, that it signals that you are currently indulging in your me-time so that you don’t get interrupted.

Seek professional assistance if the stress gets too much.

Even with the best of intentions, be open to the possibility that the stress will take its toll on your physical and mental health. If you need to seek the help of a professional doula to cope with pandemic pregnancy stress, get one. Doulas are specially trained to be companions to expectant mothers, providing physical and emotional support and assistance. 

If you are in Arizona, contact Doulas of the Valley. We promise to help you in your pregnancy journey, giving you advice, listening to your concerns, and allowing you to get your much-needed rest.

Get in touch with us today and let’s get started.