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.
Why Moms May Be Feelling Extra Lonely Right Now
Many new moms feel lonely – the loneliness that can come from spending all day with young children without speaking to another adult, using an adult voice or doing adult things. This may even be coupled with feelings of shame.
Stressed Out? Here’s How to Combat the ‘Fight or Flight’ Response While Quarantining at Home
When women have high stress in pregnancy, it tends to carry on through the year after delivery and beyond. Without support, many women continue to have high levels of stress… for a long time.
Emotional Care for Women After Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss has negative effects on women’s emotional health. Grief, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress are common. As a result, it is especially important for women to take care of their emotional health during this time.
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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