Pregnancy anxiety & depression affects one in seven people
A few of you had an open, honest, and vulnerable conversation in class recently about the challenges of pregnancy anxiety & depression, in particular during the first trimester.
Trimester one can be tough, and it’s often experienced in isolation.
You can feel all the things, but you can’t see them, and neither can anybody else.
People feel a range of physical sensations, and a myriad of thoughts go through their heads.
It can be lonely as it’s still very common to keep pregnancies quiet until the twelve-week scan, just in case the pregnancy isn’t viable. The catch is, going through pregnancy loss on your own is horrible, and support is what can be so helpful to get you through.
There are often feelings of nausea, low energy, and sickness, and you're hanging on for the miracle of trimester two when it should magically pass - reality check - it doesn’t happen for everyone, sorry.
In addition to all of this, you’re trying to continue with your regular routines, keeping up with work expectations, family commitments, friendship time, and personal time.
It’s a lot!
We all know about postnatal depression, but it’s also common in pregnancy, with one in seven people impacted through their perinatal journey.
If you notice a shift in yourself, friends, family, or colleagues, please consider the following:
Speak to your GP or Midwife, who can offer a referral to talking therapies or medication, or a combination of the two.
Join local groups, such as antenatal groups or yoga, where it’s a safe space to share your experience with people on a similar journey.
Take care of yourself and those around you,
Kirsti x
Your Female Yoga Specialist