Staying Calm and Confident During Pregnancy
A grounded guide to navigating pregnancy with clarity, calm, and a solid support system
Having the internet at our fingertips is incredibly convenient and offers countless benefits, but it also comes with significant downsides, like information overload—and we can never be sure if what we're reading is even accurate! This can put a lot of stress on parents, especially first-time mums, because there are so many voices ready to chime in with the best advice or “must-know” tips, making it difficult for mums to know which information to trust and what’s best for their own situation.
Feeling unsure or worried about what lies ahead is very normal, especially if you’ve never gone through this experience. Often women will overthink every new symptom and feeling, wondering what it means and if it's a cause for concern. It’s important to remember that every pregnancy journey is unique, and even experienced mothers face uncertainties. The good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Let’s explore practical ways to feel more calm, confident, and supported during pregnancy.
Key Support Systems
Below are key professionals who can help ensure a safe and empowering journey:
General Practitioner (GP): They are usually your first point of contact to help set up your antenatal care. Some GPs have extra training which allows them to have shared care with the hospital during your pregnancy. You want to make sure you are feeling heard and have any questions answered here.
Midwife: They have special training to support and care for you during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum. Midwives work in public and private hospitals, with obstetricians and in the community. They help you to stay healthy during your pregnancy. If there are no complications, they can also help you give birth.
Obstetrician (OB): a doctor who has had special training to look after you and your baby during pregnancy, birth and straight after birth. If you are having your baby in a public hospital, you might only see an obstetrician if there is a medical need. If you choose to be cared for by a private obstetrician, they will manage your antenatal care throughout your pregnancy and may be present at the birth.
Doula: An extra support person hired to assist women with their physical and emotional needs during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period by offering reassurance, evidence-based information, stress management techniques, and fostering a supportive birth environment.
Overcoming Common Stresses
It’s normal to feel apprehensive about challenges such as labor, birth, breastfeeding, changes in relationships, or transitioning back to work. These worries, however, don’t have to consume your experience of pregnancy.
So where do you start? The best way to get to the root of your anxieties is to reflect on them. Write them down to make it clear what’s on your mind and acknowledge your worries. Then, if you’re ready, talk to a friend—someone who will hold space for you. Someone who will offer support and understanding, maybe even valuable advice. Talking about your fears can help reduce their intensity and helps to feel less isolated. Remember, vulnerability is not weakness.
Nurturing Your Body
Taking care of your body is essential for maintaining a healthy mind. Eating a healthy and balanced diet, staying hydrated, making sure you’re getting quality sleep/rest, and regularly moving your body will all help.
Slow activities, like walking or prenatal yoga, are great ways to keep your body strong and will continue to boost endorphins, which can reduce stress. Therapeutic massages and acupuncture can help with any discomfort that pregnancy may bring like swelling or back and pelvic pain, while also relaxing your body, reducing tension, and helping your nervous system.
Calming Your Mind
The anticipation of pregnancy and labor can cause heightened feelings of stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy and meditation are wonderful tools to learn to calm yourself. There are great apps and resources like headspace or calm that can teach you how to practice meditation and ground yourself.
Another valuable tool during pregnancy to explore is hypnobirthing. It incorporates relaxation, breathing exercises, and visualisations to help centre yourself, making it especially helpful during labor and contractions to support both your mind and body.
Supporting Birth Environment
What makes you feel safe and secure? This is the key to an ideal supportive environment. Dim lighting, soft music, comforting objects, and trustworthy people can all make a difference to the way labor progresses and can bring you ease in unfamiliar environments.
Discussing your birth plan with your support people early on is super important so they are aware of any medical interventions, fears or triggers and can advocate your needs when needed.
What Now?
Pregnancy is an incredible experience, but it’s also a time to reflect, address any concerns, nurture your body, and cultivate mindfulness. Build your confidence, because your body is more than capable of this and childbirth.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and lean on others. Whether it’s your partner, friends or healthcare providers. Embracing support now doesn’t just prepare you for labour it will set you up for this new journey of motherhood. Out of all of this, the most important thing to remember? Your body is capable. You are capable.
If you have any concerns or are unsure about anything, please consult with your medical practitioner.