Body Awareness |
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As with all forms of stress, understanding what causes it forms the ideal basis for coping. In order to appreciate the special stresses and strains of pregnancy, and come to terms with them, the very best start you can make is to familiarize yourself with the major changes that will take place in your body as it adapts to its new role of life support system for the baby.
If, for example, you are aware that the volume of your blood will increase by a quite amazing 40 per cent to meet the demands of the growing fetus in terms of oxygen and nutrients extracted through the placenta, you will be in a strong position to appreciate the importance of a well-balanced diet in pregnancy, and to understand and cope with other physical and emotional changes.
When you feel very tired, as many pregnant women do, or experience palpitations as the heart works overtime to pump the increased volume of blood around the system, understanding why you feel like this will do a lot to reduce the stressful aspect, and help you to cope.
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