Every time I visited the doctor during my pregnancy, I'd take a test or undergo a screening to make sure my baby was all right. My healthcare providers checked my vitals too, giving me a clean bill of physical health each time.
Feeling nauseated forced me to slow down, and I was exhausted for much of my first trimester. Researching information about pregnancy created anxiety about what could go wrong during pregnancy and birth for mom and baby, and I began growing fearful of any and every symptom that felt off. Going through this during a pandemic, I was cut off from people who could have been my support system. I was trying to hold everything in and deal with my feelings alone, figuring that I should just be able to handle it all by myself.
I was also really honest with my partner about everything I was feeling. Just opening that dialogue with him — even if he couldn't totally understand what was going on — did help. It was freeing when I could tell my husband how I was feeling. Even little things at home helped lift my mood, like watching Netflix shows and listening to audiobooks about new moms experiencing motherhood. When I was just sitting on the couch, I'd light a candle nearby. Anything that can make a difference when you're stressed can be part of self-care. I realized I didn't need to push myself to be perfect — pregnancy is a time to rest, honor yourself and your baby.