No longer thinking about oneself, pregnant women must pay attention to the development of the baby in the womb starting from balanced nutrition to knowledge to optimize the growth and development of the child. In addition, the condition of pregnant women also needs serious attention, especially mental health. Often, stress in pregnant women appears in the third trimester until childbirth.

To avoid stress during pregnancy, it is important for pregnant women to eat healthily. Stop eating sweet foods and consume more healthy fats and proteins as they can help maintain mood and provide energy. Pregnant women can eat fish, avocado, nuts for healthy fats, as well as lean meat, eggs, and low-fat dairy products for protein.

After giving birth, getting enough sleep is very important for mothers. Despite finding changes in schedule and demands of taking care of the baby, getting enough sleep helps mothers recover after childbirth. "It means sleeping as much as possible when the baby is sleeping, we can sleep, just sleep. If possible, sleep comfortably especially during pregnancy, if possible, do enjoyable activities so that our minds become positive, do it," said Lieke Puspasari, Counselor at First Care Clinic in Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Light exercise can be an effective way to avoid stress during pregnancy. Physical activities such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga can help reduce tension and naturally improve mood. Engaging in light exercise can also help improve blood circulation and energy, which are important for the well-being of pregnant mothers.

As conveyed by Lieke, pregnant women greatly need positive affirmation from their family, partner, and even themselves to remind themselves that the stress they feel during pregnancy is normal and can be overcome. This is an important step to avoid its negative impacts. Pregnant women can try to face stress with a positive attitude, recognizing that these feelings are a natural part of the pregnancy process.

By accepting that there are challenges and changes that occur during this time, pregnant women can feel more calm and more capable of dealing with stress. Maintaining mental well-being during pregnancy is key to the health of both the mother and the developing baby. With strong social support, balanced diet planning, light exercise, and adopting a positive attitude towards stress, pregnant women can enjoy the pregnancy process better. Report: Mutiara Rachmah