Emotional Wellness & Social Support during Pregnancy

(Over the next few months, the Logan County Health Department is placing special emphasis on improving infant mortality rates. One effort is a series of articles on women’s health.)

Mental health is an important part of your overall health. If you worry about your safety or the safety of your family, please talk with your health care provider, social worker, or other mental health worker.

Fears may grow from not knowing what to expect from pregnancy or how pregnancy might affect your relationship with a partner. Getting questions answered and planning for a pregnancy often help to ease fears.

Having a baby can bring a couple closer together. But, having a baby never solves any problems that exist in a relationship and can make those problems more stressful. New parents need support from each other.

One in four women are in an abusive relationship. You are not alone. There is help. Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional. Abuse can lead to pregnancy problems.

Spending time with caring family, friends, and your partner is important before, during, and after pregnancy. This can help reduce stress as stress can increase the risk of an early birth.

Women who are not happy about their pregnancy or think their partner or family is unhappy about the pregnancy are more likely to be depressed. Depression may lead to poor eating habits and preterm and low birth weight babies.

For women with depression, counseling before becoming pregnant helps plan for a safer pregnancy. Some medicines for depression are not safe to take during pregnancy. Talk with your health care provider about any medicines that you are taking.

The Logan County Health Department asks you to encourage and help support a woman’s healthy choices. For more information, please call the Logan County Health Department at 405-282-3485.