Emory Women's Mental Health Program | Questions and Answers

What can I do to help maintain my health during pregnancy and after childbirth?
This is a great question regardless of whether you plan to continue medication or not. Maintaining quality prenatal care is of utmost importance. The following is a list of what we recommend and why: a. Avoid excessive caffeine - caffeine can affect pregnancy, sleep, and anxiety. b. Take your vitamin everyday - if nauseated try a chewable prenatal or children's vitamin. c. Drink plenty of water/fluids - many women do not drink enough fluids during pregnancy, which can increase the risk for other complications. d. Take a walk everyday outside - unless restricted by your obstetrical team, walking and sunlight can be helpful. Excessive exercise can make some problems worse. e. Get educated - childbirth, breastfeeding, and new parent classes can be extremely beneficial to reduce anxiety and increases the number of women you meet in the same situation you are. If you are planning to breastfeed, introduce yourself to the hospital lactation consultant. f. Get some of the details out of the way - find your pediatrician early. The majority offer some type of interview that will help you with choosing. Remember - all you have to have to come home with your baby is a car seat. g. Communicate your needs clearly - if you need help ask for it. h. Excellent baby shower gifts - you will get enough stuff for the baby, let some of your friends know that coupons for a massage or house cleaning service would be great. i. Arrange your help - you may have family that plans to visit. Don't have all your help at once (e.g. paternity leave overlapping with family). Spread it out so that you don't go from a lot of help to none. Similarly, if a family member is particularly stressful - they can visit for a short time or later. j. Night duty - sleep disturbance and exhaustion are not the best for emotional disorders. Arrange some help with night duty, even if breastfeeding someone else can do the burping and changing. k. Get out of the house - most women do not realize the confining effect having a baby can cause. Babies are mobile via car seats and strollers. Getting out of the house to do something you enjoy will help.
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