A high-risk pregnancy is extremely stressful. No one can challenge that.
But the thing about stress is that because it's a normal part of life, it can be hard for many moms to judge when the stress has become so much that you should ask for support.
Until it goes too far.
So often I hear from moms after they've delivered that they wished they'd asked for help during their pregnancy because they were certain stress played a role in their pregnancy complications worsening.
Asking for help can be hard.
You feel like should be able to manage all of this on your own. Or you feel like there's no one to talk to because no one understands what you're going through. It could be that you feel too proud to ask for help, worried about what others will think if you can't do it all by yourself.
These are all beliefs you're assuming are true.
You should not have to manage everything on your own because it's not physically possible to cook, clean, take care of the kids, work and maintain a relationship with your partner all while fighting for your baby!
The reality is stress is a very real risk factor for further pregnancy complications. (Tweet that!)
Trying to do everything on your own, whether it's to save face, because you genuinely believe you can manage it all or because you don't know who to turn to only adds to the stress you're already dealing with by having a complicated pregnancy.
Being a supermom doesn't mean doing everything by yourself.
It means knowing when to ask for help so you can focus on doing the thing that no one else but you can do: growing, nurturing and caring for your baby. (Tweet that!)
Top 5 signs you should ask for help
1. You often find yourself resentful or jealous of those moms who have it easy and get to enjoy their pregnancy.
Resentment and jealousy are masks for other emotions such as grief or sadness about your situation.
By identifying and working through the true underlying emotions while pregnant, you too can enjoy moments of your pregnancy despite the ups and downs that you're facing.
2. You feel completely overwhelmed with thoughts and information when you make decisions about your baby and your medical conditions.
You're reading everything you can on Google. You're in Facebook groups and online forums talking to other moms. You've searched all over PubMed.
Should I get a cerclage or not?
What type of bed rest is right for me?
Should I take insulin or not?
You're experiencing information overload.
The last thing that you need is one more person telling you what to do and giving you more information.
What you need instead is to figure out how to get in touch with your own values and priorities so you can quiet the noise so you can feel confident about the decisions you're making for you and your baby.
3. You feel helpless and feel like you've failed your baby.
You are not a failure.
I'm going to say it again.
You are not a failure.