Avoid These Perfectionism Tendencies
“Women’s Emotional Health is Critical.”
The Hope Project
Welcome! I’m Dawn, and my passion is helping women own their mental health in pregnancy and beyond.
Pregnancy Brain Blog
The Pregnancy Brain Blog is updated regularly with real stories and articles designed to help women in pregnancy and their loved ones navigate successfully through the unique stresses that affect prenatal emotional health.
What is Perinatal Anxiety and How Can You Cope?
Pregnancy is a time of many changes – there are physical changes as your belly grows, social changes such as being the first in a circle of friends to become pregnant, and emotional changes, such as feelings of excitement and nervousness for what’s ahead. The increase in changes happening in a pregnant woman’s life means it is more likely for her to experience perinatal anxiety.
What Not to Say to a Pregnant or Postpartum Mother… and What to Say Instead
When you hear an unexpected comment about the choices you’ve made while pregnant or as a mother, it can come as a surprise. Even if it seems harmless and trivial to the speaker, it can derail the day of the person it was directed at.
What To Do If Needles Make You Anxious During Pregnancy
If you have a needle phobia, there are several things you can do to manage your fear of needles in order to reduce the effects of anxiety in pregnancy.
The Big Four
We have identified four areas we call “The Big Four” that when addressed can effectively promote strong emotional health in pregnancy. Find helpful resources to assist you in the following areas:
Relationships
A support system built on trust with partners, family and friends.
Guilt & Perfectionism
If you have a history of perfectionistic tendencies, you are at greater risk for depression and anxiety in pregnancy.
Stress Management
Stress can be reduced to a manageable level with techniques.
Mental Health History
Studies show that women who have a history of anxiety and depression are 5-12 times more likely to develop depression again in pregnancy.
There is an overwhelming number of new mothers experiencing depression. This is not OK.
In my research, we are actually seeing that this anxiety or depression is developing during pregnancy. If you are experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety it does not mean there is a problem with you. Rather, it is something that you simply need to manage. My desire is to support you in avoiding or beating prenatal depression by addressing what I like to call, ‘The Big Four’.
While there are services in place to help women deal with postpartum depression, I believe that this is too little, too late.
Here’s to owning your emotional health in pregnancy and beyond!
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