Let's talk about stress, baby... « Back to Group Discussions

[anyalily]

Is anyone interested in discussing stress in our lives and how we balance it out so we can nourish our pregnancies? I have a lot of stress in my life right now, but I am in pretty good place in general. I have a supportive partner, a healthy child, a job, a home... Many blessings!

But it seems like every challenge that comes along triggers me and I shut down. Are there any other mamas out there with a lot of stress or unhealthy response to stress? I am in counseling, which helps with specific issues, but sometimes it seems like I get into a mode that is hard to get out of...

What do you do? How do you cope? I would love to have a thread where we can vent and share.

If you want to be part of it, feel free! If you have some advice, please chime in. And remember, "just relax" isn't always constructive advice. 

Name:

Age:

Biggest source of stress today:

Name: Anya

Age: 30

Biggest source of stress today: We are currently battling a bed bug infestation! Also, I work a fair amount (self-employed) and when I am stressed I am not very productive, leading to impending deadline and procrastination stress.

[amlikam]

WOW Anya that's a big undertaking and all with a 4yr old around!!!! oh my golly- all I can think of is the amount of work it will take with the typical stuffed animals and such. GOOD LUCK, I wish I could offer more of support that way!

Name: Am or Amlika

Age: 31

Biggest source of stress today: my father passed away after a long illness last week; I have been spotting on and off; and my house is a mess.

I am coping by trusting all is ok and I am ok. This week I will be doing some radical self care- like sleeping :-D I tend to handle stress well compared to others, but it requires me to ask for help - which requires me to know what I need help with! I try my best to practive self awareness and accountability. Plus I meet in regular circles of women and go to therapy as a prevenative.

[anyalily]

Originally Posted by amlikam 

WOW Anya that's a big undertaking and all with a 4yr old around!!!! oh my golly- all I can think of is the amount of work it will take with the typical stuffed animals and such. GOOD LUCK, I wish I could offer more of support that way!

Name: Am or Amlika

Age: 31

Biggest source of stress today: my father passed away after a long illness last week; I have been spotting on and off; and my house is a mess.

I am coping by trusting all is ok and I am ok. This week I will be doing some radical self care- like sleeping :-D I tend to handle stress well compared to others, but it requires me to ask for help - which requires me to know what I need help with! I try my best to practive self awareness and accountability. Plus I meet in regular circles of women and go to therapy as a prevenative.

Amlika, I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine. It sounds like you have some good coping in place! I hope the spotting resolves and your bean is sticky! And the house, meh. I am so over housework.

ETA: I called a guy today to come and finish the job of getting rid of the buggies. Ugh. We did 30 loads of laundry and fumigated with a non-toxic product. Now they will come and dust in the outlets and baseboards with a boric acid product. I just want to be done and really live and sleep again.

[SweetMama34]

My current biggest stress is that I'm a slug. I'm super sick from 5pm-11am. I'm barely able to eat, so my energy is super low even during the hours I'm not gagging. My house is trashed, my kids aren't being fed as well as I'd like them to and I just feel guilty overall that I'm not the best version of me right now.

Even with the super strong symptoms, I'm still nervous about this being a viable pregnancy. I so want it to be...I can't handle another miscarriage right now. I wasn't even sure I wanted to TTC so soon, just because I didn't know how I'd deal with another miscarriage so soon. I didn't really get a chance to decide that, though - I ovulated super early (I've NEVER ovulated before cycle day 21!) and managed to catch an egg.

Don't get me wrong - feeling so, so amazingly blessed. I'm just scared. Ten days until my viability ultrasound. I'm assuming that after that, and after this nausea wears off, I'll be elated and energetic and awesome again.

In the meanwhile, I'm dealing by working on gratitude and acceptance. It is what it is. The house will be clean again someday. My kids know I adore them, even if I'm low energy. It's all good.

[Murph12334]

Name: Melissa

Age: 33

Biggest source of stress today: While my stress is technically ongoing, today it was limited to a new person at work that is proving difficult to train.  Normal ongoing consist of baby father planning on moving 2 states away after baby is born, meaning raising baby on my own.

[anyalily]

Originally Posted by SweetMama34 

My current biggest stress is that I'm a slug. I'm super sick from 5pm-11am. I'm barely able to eat, so my energy is super low even during the hours I'm not gagging. My house is trashed, my kids aren't being fed as well as I'd like them to and I just feel guilty overall that I'm not the best version of me right now.

Even with the super strong symptoms, I'm still nervous about this being a viable pregnancy. I so want it to be...I can't handle another miscarriage right now. I wasn't even sure I wanted to TTC so soon, just because I didn't know how I'd deal with another miscarriage so soon. I didn't really get a chance to decide that, though - I ovulated super early (I've NEVER ovulated before cycle day 21!) and managed to catch an egg.

Don't get me wrong - feeling so, so amazingly blessed. I'm just scared. Ten days until my viability ultrasound. I'm assuming that after that, and after this nausea wears off, I'll be elated and energetic and awesome again.

In the meanwhile, I'm dealing by working on gratitude and acceptance. It is what it is. The house will be clean again someday. My kids know I adore them, even if I'm low energy. It's all good.

Oh SweetMama, I feel for you. I was SO sick with DD. I hope hope hope that I do not have ti as bad this time around, although I know if I don't have M/S I will worry about THAT. Darned if we do and darned if we don't.

[sky_and_lavender]

Name: Sky

Age: 35

Biggest source of stress today: My mind!

I just wanted to say that as a person who has a super sensitive nervous system and a history of PTSD/depression/anxiety, adjusting to life's daily stresses is a huge part of my life, and I've learned many techniques to help me. Exercises and meditation/self-hypnosis/prayer as well as cognitive behavior therapy are my most reliable tools! I might not be able to respond to many posts, but I wanted to check in just to say hi and to wish everyone well!

[anyalily]

Originally Posted by sky_and_lavender 

Name: Sky

Age: 35

Biggest source of stress today: My mind!

I just wanted to say that as a person who has a super sensitive nervous system and a history of PTSD/depression/anxiety, adjusting to life's daily stresses is a huge part of my life, and I've learned many techniques to help me. Exercises and meditation/self-hypnosis/prayer as well as cognitive behavior therapy are my most reliable tools! I might not be able to respond to many posts, but I wanted to check in just to say hi and to wish everyone well!

With ya honey. My mind is often my worst frenemy. I am hoping to get better at the coping mechanisms. TV and food are not helping like they used to.

[jentifer]

Oh, THIS I need.

Name: Jen

Age: 36

Biggest source of stress today:

It sounds so little in comparison, but I'm writing a grant for work and I've never done one before. A lot is riding on this (it's part of a larger Leadership Institute type thing) and it's been so difficult for me to concentrate. Usually I'm a good writer and researcher, but I can't seem to work on this for more than an hour before needing to rest or even take a nap. This is in addition to my regular duties at work, so it's something I'm doing on weekends and evenings.

I think the key is being okay with being "slow" and not as sharp as I usually am. I'll still get it done, just not as well as I'd like. That's fine. And between grant and baby I vote baby!