‘What if something is wrong with the baby?’: does the pregnancy glow really exist?
Contrary to the popular image of a carefree pregnancy, many women face significant stress, anxiety, and concerns about health, body image, and their new responsibilities. Midwives and psychologists encourage an honest discussion about these challenges, emphasizing that seeking professional support is essential when negative feelings become overwhelming.
Many women experience pregnancy as a period of significant anxiety rather than the idealized rose-colored experience often portrayed in society. Midwife Marlies Koers and psychologist Kimberley Slingerland note that concerns can emerge at every stage, ranging from fears regarding the baby's health in the first trimester to body image issues and childbirth anxieties later on. External pressures, such as financial difficulties or housing concerns, can further exacerbate these feelings. Even professionals are not immune; Koers details her own experience with a complicated pregnancy, highlighting how losing control can cause intense personal distress.
Slingerland explains that the pressure to be a perfect mother often prevents women from sharing their struggles, leading to feelings of being deceived by society's romanticized narrative. Both experts advocate for a more honest dialogue about the challenges of pregnancy, describing it as a layered experience that includes both grey and pink moments. They emphasize that if these anxieties persist, women should not hesitate to seek professional help from their GP or specialized clinics like a POP-polikliniek.
Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
