If you are pregnant and have been told by doctors that you are at risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), the news of this might have come as a shock.
Pregnancy can be an exciting and hopeful time, especially if you have been trying to conceive for a while. Despite your best efforts to maintain a healthy pregnancy, issues such as HDFN that are beyond your control may occur.
To preserve and enhance your mental health, many experts recommend journaling. Here is how writing can be beneficial for your mental well-being while dealing with an unexpected condition such as HDFN.
Articulating your thoughts may ground you
One of the dangers of going through a unique medical experience is that you find it difficult to share what is happening with others who may not have a clear grasp about the ins and outs of the disease. It may even make matters worse if you have to educate someone about your condition.
To avoid everything from becoming pent up, it is important that you can process your thoughts through journaling. Journaling allows you to express your feelings throughout the entire period in which you and your child are affected by HDFN. This gives you the space to reflect on what you are going through internally.
Read more about HDFN testing and diagnosis
Journaling may help you identify more accurately your true state of mind, allowing you to take the necessary action to remedy it. If, for example, your journal entries are full of negative, anxious thoughts, you would be gently reminded of the need to practice mindfulness and breathe. At the end of the day, the condition is largely out of your control and that the best you can do is to attend all your scheduled follow-up meetings and hope for the best possible outcome.
You know when to seek professional help
Pregnancy can be a very lonely experience. Adjusting to pregnant life can be already a challenge, especially if you experience complications such as morning sickness.
You may have heard about postnatal depression, a form of depression that uniquely affects new mothers. Well, some women experience depression even before birth during pregnancy: this is the lesser known condition known as “antenatal depression”.
While the occasional dips in mood are to be expected in a condition such as HDFN, sustained feelings of depression and anxiety may require professional attention. The best way for you to know how you are truly feeling is by articulating it in a personal journal. You may choose to share the journal with your doctor if you are feeling burnt out or stressed all the time. Your doctor can then process your feelings with you and help you figure out if seeing a clinical psychiatrist may be helpful.
Keeping a record of your physical health
One of the aspects of HDFN that can cause discomfort is fear of the unknown. If this is the first time you have a pregnancy affected by HDFN, you may be worried that some of your physical signs and symptoms may be missed.
By keeping a journal of both your mental and physical health, it’s easier to understand your health in a holistic way. By listing the physical symptoms, you are keeping a detailed record that you can easily share with your doctor, who will be able to take action should anything be of concern.
It can feel empowering to play a role in your own care, and keeping a record of your physical health is one way to do this. By keeping a journal of your symptoms that you can later share with your doctor, you may also be doing your mental health a favor by giivng yourself a little more peace of mind.
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