Navigating Restrictions for a Happier, Healthier Pregnancy Experience
Chatty Health Guide: Prenatal Care, Mental Health, and Immunizations
Welcome all you expectant parents! Navigating pregnancy can be a twisty road, and sometimes you might find yourself worried about your health or your baby's development. It's essential to chat openly with your healthcare professionals about any concerns, no matter how embarrassing or difficult they seem, to ensure the best care for both you and your little one.
If you're feeling a bit anxious about becoming a parent, know that you're not alone. It's natural to worry about keeping your baby safe or how you'll handle things when your baby arrives.
Midwife Wendy Olayiwola, NHS England's National Maternity Lead for Equality, says, "I can assure you that what you're feeling is normal, but it helps to talk about it."
Mental health checks
Keeping your mental health in check is especially vital during pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period. Speaking openly about your feelings is beneficial for our overall wellbeing, and it starts with talking honestly.
"Many women benefit from online services and pregnancy and mental health apps to cope with unhelpful thoughts and feelings," Wendy suggests. "Some help dads and partners too."
These resources can be found on the NHS website, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), mental health charities like Mind, and maternal health charities like Tommy's or Pandas.
If online resources aren't your thing, don't worry! You might find support through local antenatal groups or free NHS Talking Therapies, which offer counseling and therapy for problems like low mood, obsessive thoughts, or anxiety. Find more information and local services at www.nhs.uk/talk.
Battling past fears and traumas
Other taboo topics include female genital mutilation (FGM), which is illegal in the UK. It affects more than 230 million girls and women worldwide, and can increase a woman's risk of complications such as bleeding and infection, putting both the woman and her baby at risk.
If FGM has affected you, know that you're not alone. Many communities offer support, including FGM clinics that provide advice, counseling, sexual health services, and care throughout pregnancy and after the birth. They can also diagnose types of FGM and help with D-einfibulation (reversal of FGM).
Vaccines: The invisible shield
During pregnancy, it's crucial to protect yourself and your baby from potential health threats. Vaccines are your best defense against serious infections.
Women with Black and South Asian heritage are at a higher risk of pregnancy complications, making babies more vulnerable to severe consequences. To combat this, the NHS recommends some vaccines to provide immunity and protection for both the mother and baby.
Recommended NHS vaccines during pregnancy include the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), pertussis (whooping cough), flu, and, during the winter and spring months, COVID-19 vaccines for those with weakened immune systems.
Student midwifery graduate Yusra Osman knows all too well the dangers of not being immunized. Her firstborn son developed bronchiolitis when he was just three months old, caused by RSV, a leading cause of severe lung infections in infants.
Getting vaccinated is an essential part of being a protective parent. As Yusra explains, "Vaccination isn't a guarantee you won't catch an infection or illness, but it is the most effective way to protect you and your baby from serious complications that could be life-threatening."
To ensure you're receiving the recommended vaccines, discuss with your healthcare providers when you're due for them and any concerns or questions you might have.
For more information about staying well during pregnancy, visit the NHS website at nhs.uk/pregnancy; for up-to-date information about NHS-recommended vaccinations, check out nhs.uk/vaccinations.
Don't forget to take care of yourself during this incredible journey - you've got this! If you need further support or information, don't hesitate to reach out. You're not alone.
Mental health is integral to overall wellbeing, and it's particularly important during pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period. Speaking openly about feelings can be beneficial and there are numerous resources available for assistance, such as mental health charities like Mind, Tommy's, or Pandas, and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA).
Besides mental health, it's vital to address other sensitive topics, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), which can increase the risk of complications. Know that you're not alone if FGM has affected you, and support services are available, including FGM clinics that offer advice, counseling, sexual health services, and care throughout pregnancy and post-birth.
Navigating through pregnancy also involves ensuring proper immunization to protect both the mother and baby from serious infections. Immunization isn't a guarantee against catching infections, but it's the most effective way to prevent severe complications that could be life-threatening. Recommended vaccines during pregnancy include those for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), pertussis (whooping cough), flu, and COVID-19 during winter and spring months for those with weakened immune systems.
Beyond prenatal care, it's important to take care of one's overall health-and-wellness, including skin-care and sexual-health. Therapies-and-treatments, like CBD, may also play a role in personal-growth and education-and-self-development, especially during such a transformative experience as pregnancy.
Concerning workplace-wellness, it's essential to have open discussions with employers about any concerns, whether they pertain to prenatal care, mental health, or physical wellbeing, to create a supportive work environment.
Communication is the key to ensuring the best care during pregnancy and beyond – be it with healthcare professionals, family, friends, or community members. As expectant parents, you can play an active part in advocating for yourself and your baby and building a healthier, more empathetic society – you're not alone on this journey.
