Finding out you are pregnant can leave you with many questions. One of those questions may be about how a pregnancy will affect you mentally.
If the pregnancy is unexpected, it can leave you even more unsure about what impact it can have on you mentally.
Keep reading to learn more about mental health and pregnancy, and the best way to get the support you need as you navigate your pregnancy.
Mental Health During Pregnancy
Due to changes in your body during pregnancy, it’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions.
While these emotions may seem new to you, they are actually very common. According to the Mayo Clinic, feeling excited, happy, anxious, and overwhelmed are all normal emotions, and you may experience multiple emotions at once.
Feeling depressed is also to be expected as hormones in your body change, and your mind adapts to the new changes.
While these emotions and mental mindsets are all normal during a pregnancy, facing an unplanned pregnancy can heighten those emotions and mental reactions, making you feel completely overwhelmed and confused.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to combat those feelings.
Getting the Facts and Support You Need
One of the best ways to start taking charge of your emotions and mental health during a pregnancy is to know the facts, have a plan, and get the support you need.
That typically starts with an ultrasound scan, which will provide you with valuable information about your pregnancy, including its age, location, and viability. With these details, you can start taking control of your pregnancy and making a plan of how you want to proceed.
Once you have the facts about your pregnancy and a plan, the next best step is to build a strong support network. This network can be friends or family members who can support you and your decision, or a local network of women who have experienced a similar pregnancy and can provide the mental support you need.
This support network can offer encouragement, be a sounding board for you, and even just be physically present when you’ve had a bad day.
Mental Health and Abortion
Oftentimes, women facing an unplanned pregnancy think that the quickest way to handle their pregnancy and relieve the mental pressure and overwhelming feelings is to seek an abortion.
It’s important to know that studies have shown that abortion can create additional mental health issues and complications. One study, for example, found that post-abortive women can see an increase in depression and anxiety with long-lasting impacts that can lead to higher chances of developing substance abuse problems, such as alcoholism and drug addiction.
Next Steps
If you are pregnant and looking for answers and options, Lilli Women’s Clinic is here to help.
Our trained staff can help provide you with the answers you need. We can offer a free ultrasound scan to give you the facts you need about your pregnancy, answer your questions, and connect you with mental health resources and support groups.
Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment and start getting the help and support you need.
