4 Benefits of Meditation During Pregnancy
4 Benefits of Meditation During Pregnancy
For many women during pregnancy, it's not the physical changes that are the most challenging, but the emotional shifts. One day you might have anxiety about getting enough exercise. Another day you may be worried about an upcoming ultrasound and experiencing high levels of stress.
It's natural to have anxiety and feel nervous during your pregnancy. But when the stress starts to creep into other areas of your life, it can be tough to manage. From losing sleep to severe mood swings, you might be looking for a natural way to decrease your stress.
Meditation during pregnancy could be the answer you're looking for. You've heard about meditation and how it can be beneficial for mental health. But you're not sure how mediation and pregnancy fit together. Join us as we discuss four of the top benefits of pregnancy meditation.
1. A More Positive Outlook
Have you ever heard of negative automatic thoughts? They're anxious thoughts that can spiral out of control and produce more stress or even depression. Here's an example: "I ate some junk food today, that means my baby isn't going to be healthy."
That thought isn't logical, but your brain under stress sometimes jumps to the worst-case scenario. Meditation during pregnancy teaches you to focus on the present moment and be more connected to your body and mind. The result? You'll be able to identify those negative thought patterns before they snowball.
By cutting out this source of stress, you'll be more likely to have a more positive outlook on life.
2. Increased Relaxation
If you're expecting, it can be hard to find some "you" time. Whether you're working during your pregnancy or taking care of your family, there never seems to be enough time in the day. Meditation during pregnancy is an opportunity to give yourself space for self-care.
In fact, meditation has been proven to help your brain produce more theta brainwaves. Theta brainwaves can produce deep levels of relaxation and help you recover from mental burnout.
If you're new to meditation, an easier way to reach deep relaxation is to follow a guided meditation. You can work to tune your breath to the sound of the instructor’s voice. It's a great way to practice the basics.
3. Greater Self-Awareness
When you're pregnant, it's easy to feel like your body is getting pulled in many different and conflicting directions. From morning sickness to aches and pains and the negative automatic thoughts mentioned above, it can be tough to build self-awareness.
By focusing on the present moment in pregnancy meditation, you'll become more aware of the mental and physical sensations in your mind and body. But how does that benefit your pregnancy?
Building your self-awareness can help you notice when something doesn't feel right at an earlier time. Pregnant women who practice meditation have even reported to be more aware of the gap between contractions while giving birth. This awareness allowed them to use that time as a meaningful break to relax and prepare for the next contraction.
4. Better Sleep
For most people, high quality sleep feels amazing. And that notion is even more true for pregnant women. Take a second and think about how much your thoughts have been disrupting your sleep lately. The natural stress and worry of pregnancy can throw off your sleep routine.
A recent study showed that people who meditate are more likely to experience higher quality sleep. Quality sleep can also help you feel more energized. Some of the benefits for quality sleep during pregnancy include:
- A reduced risk for birth complications
- Lower levels of stress
- A drop in physical aches and pains
- Natural boost in your immune system
Your thoughts can affect your sleep more than you think. But once you see the difference meditation can provide, it's a hobby you might keep up with even after your baby is born.
Our Passion is Helping You Have a Healthy Pregnancy
At King's Daughters' Health, our maternity care services are designed to do all we can to support you and your baby. We pride ourselves on our expert staff and providing family-centered maternity care.
Schedule an appointment today by contacting our team. We're ready to answer your questions and provide you with high-quality care to your growing family!
To schedule a maternity appointment, call us at 812.801.0856.