How to Treat Depression During Pregnancy

So, here's the third installment of my posts about Depression. If you wanna know my other posts just click the links below:

• symptoms of depression during pregnancy
• risk factors and possible triggers of depression

When depression is not well treated it can have potential risks to both mom and babe. Depression can lead to poor nutrition, drinking alcohol, some mom smoke and some think of suicide. Plus the baby will also become less active, less attentive, more irritable and agitated.Definitely NOT HEALTHY! The desire to take care of yourself and of the growing baby lessens when a woman is depressed. So its important to help yourself and ask help from others.

Depression and having mood swings are normal part of pregnancy and here I wanna share how I keep things on minimum as much as possible.

• Keep your cool and take it easy - fight the urge to do dovetailing (during pregnancy we tend to abuse the advise of do everything you want that you know you won't do when the little bean arrive) i just keep my cool and let the worries be blown by the winds... so far i enjoy reading ebooks and listening to audiobooks, short walks and other light exercise like stretching, chitchat with single friends while taking my time adapting to motherhood. I sleep when i want to. I also try to choose healthy alternative to processed foods and junk foods. Trade a cup of coffee to a glass of water, and munch on Omega 3 fatty rich foods like fish with scales. Things that makes me feel good does it and taking care of myself physically and emotionally is important because i believe it's also a part of taking care of my baby :)

• Bond with hubby - why keep everything to myself? I don't wanna take my husband for granted in this special journey. we always chat about what we read about our baby, like his development and our future plans together as a family. Plus, we share moments like when baby's actively moving we take videos, talk to him and even play with him together! that's one of the perks of working at home together!

• I talk/share/blog about it - I share my worries and excitement to every family members like my mom and sister, friends and other moms-to-be. this way, I release stress! Why suffer in silence, right?

• Take down stress one at a time - never ever let frustration, fear, worries and doubt group together and build up against you! When I feel like it's creeping in and eating my insides, I move, literally, like walk from kitchen to living room, dance to my favorite song, ask for a hug from my hubby and read Bible-based literature and meditate :)

In short: KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP! ;)

However, if you feel you need more help in struggling with depression, seek help! Like Local Support Groups, Psychotherapy and Medication or find someone you could confine to.

Watch out for my final installment about Depression soon! Is this post helpful? Post a comment below. :)

Sleeping During Pregnancy

One of my dilemma at this time of my pregnancy is the way to SLEEP!

I'm used to sleeping like a roller; lying flat, on my stomach, to the left, to the right. I still did this kind of sleep position during my first trimester, but on my second and now on my third, sleeping is a big problem!

My OB told me that sleeping on my side, most particularly, on my left side will definitely benefit my baby because

• it improves blood flow to the placenta which means more nutrients and oxygen to the baby
• it also helps my kidneys to efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids; including those coming out of the baby, from my body
• hence, it reduces beriberi; the swelling of hands, feet and ankles

Actually, it's not that hard for me to sleep on my side, because after my heart surgery (a 6inch stitch on my left backside) few years ago, I'm used to sleep on my right side so the cut wont hurt so much and i wont squeeze my heart so to speak.

And now, I must learn and practice my way to sleep on the left side. If you're a pregger like mwuah its good to start training yourself to be a lefty during your first trimester whenever you can. As for me, the left side position sometimes makes me feel that I'm squeezing my heart and of course staying in one position all night although possible is likely to be uncomfortable, so I tend to turn from side to side whenever my body wants to twist and turn while favoring my left side. My OB said its a good strategy because I'm allowing my nerves to relax and hence the blood flow will not be interrupted especially the ones carrying oxygen to my little bean.

How about sleeping on your back?

Beautywise, its best to sleep lying on your back because it will lessen the premature wrinkles from coming out and its a natural face lift! Cool huh? But if you're a pregger, you should avoid sleeping on your back! Well, it's not a problem in my case because when I'm sleeping on my back, I feel like the device the cardiologist put inside the valve of my heart is sinking; feels like a dagger pinching its way to my heart. So if you're not like me and you're used in lying on your back, then you should know that the weight of your growing uterus lies on the spine, back muscles, intestines and major blood vessels that when prolonged lead to muscle aches, back pains, hemorrhoids and impaired circulation which causes leg cramps, its uncomfortable to you and much more uncomfortable to the baby because it also means reduction of blood carrying oxygen. Really not good for the baby. Aside from that, sleeping on your back can make blood pressure drop that may cause dizziness or in some cases can make the blood pressure go up. It can also cause loud snoring and when your overweight it could lead to sleep apnea; breath stopping during sleep.

In short, when your pregnant, lie on your left! :P

Miranda Kerr's Pregnant Body in Vogue

Wow! :D I stumble to this pregnant goddess online and I just have to share it with you guys!

These pictures were issued last January 2011 Vogue Australia magazine, I know its more than a year late now, but I just can't help admire this beautiful mom-to-be...

I'm missing my skinny pants and fancy tops... I miss sleeping on lying on my stomach! But yeah, she reminds me I'm not fat, I'm pregnant. And soon enough, I'll see the little baby I carefully carry for the past nine roller-coaster-ride months! :)

Wait there's more! I saw this on Facebook and I also have to share this!

This beautiful woman survived breast cancer and is having a baby! God is GOOD!

I hope we all stay positive! Preggy or not, soon-to-be moms and been-there-done-that moms! :)