How to Survive a Difficult Pregnancy

Complications are every pregnant woman's nightmare. Excitement is often squashed by news of a problem with the baby or concerns about a mother's ability to carry to term. Pregnancy then becomes a torturous, stressful time. Learning to cope with the feared or unknown is one of the most difficult tasks a pregnant woman may face.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Get informed. For example, if a problem was detected on ultrasound or through blood tests, learn all there is to learn about the condition your baby has or may have. By learning all you can, you can prepare better and get the best care possible.
2. Stay busy. Wondering, worrying, and wallowing isn't doing you or your baby any good. Read, see movies, see friends, take a pottery class. Do whatever it takes to stay busy and keep your mind off dwelling on the negatives, or the "what ifs" of the pregnancy.
3. Get support. Join support groups, online forums, or speak to a counselor. Talking it out, with a professional or other women in your same situation, will help you deal with your feelings and assure that you aren't alone.
4. Ban the Internet. Looking up a certain condition only leads to more stress and more fear of the unknown. Know that those cases you read about on the Internet are the worst of the worst. This will only stress you out more. Listen to your doctor and their advice on your pregnancy issues instead of looking it up yourself .
5. Take it one day at a time. Try not to dwell on the day of the birth and what you'll face at that point. Looking too far into the future will overwhelm you. Focus on the here and now to limit stress and the overwhelming feelings associated with a difficult pregnancy.
6. Stay healthy. Eat right, sleep well and limit stress the best you can. Do everything you can to ensure the best possible pregnancy outcome-for you and your baby.
7. Accept that you'll go through anger, denial, guilt, depression and acceptance. You are grieving the loss of the "normal" pregnancy and all your expectations associated with that. It's important to know these stages, and realize that eventually you'll come to accept this unique and challenging pregnancy.