Preterm birth is challenging in every way. Mental, emotional, physical, and financial preparation is one way to make your preterm birth easier on you. We will discuss ways in which you can prepare your mind for preterm birth. If you are expecting a preemie, you are not alone.

CDC reported that in every ten pregnancies, one turns out to be a preterm birth. Grief, anger, guilt, hopelessness are some emotions you might be trying to cope with when expecting a preterm baby. Rather than fight the emotions, it is better to embrace them and do something to prepare yourself for your baby. Here's how to mentally prepare yourself for preterm birth.

7 Get Educated About Preterm Birth

You don't have to go into the birth blindly. When you know what to expect, it clears out doubts and helps you set realistic expectations.

Use all resources you can find, and while at it, focus on useful positive information. Learn more about preterm labor, what to expect and preparation for preterm delivery, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) care, and the specifics of caring for a preemie.

With all the information about potential developmental problems and defects with preemies, don't feel hopeless. What is meant to be will always be; the best you can do is celebrate the present moment and embrace the uncertainty.

Preemie mom, Darline Turner-Lee on Hand To Hold, recommends preterm birth books like The Preemie Primer and Fragile Beginnings. You can also explore preterm birth resources on the March Of Dimes website and other educational websites.

RELATED: Crossing Seas For Preemies: Team Elijah's Star Rows For 'Born Too Soon' Campaign

6 Ask Questions

The easiest place to find legible information is from the healthcare professionals around you. Raising Children recommends that you ask your OB/GYN or midwife all the questions you have. Don't even think for a moment that you might be overwhelming your doctor with questions; it's okay.

Healthcare professionals are there to answer questions. If you feel that your OB/GYN is not comfortable with your questions, you can always consult another OB/GYN or midwife. If you don't ask away, questions and worries will keep you up at night.

If you know other moms who have had preemies, they can help you demystify preterm birth and preterm babies. If you don't know one, your doctor or midwife might know some and could connect you if you requested. Or you could find one through social media.

5 Rethink Your Birth Plan

Discuss with your midwife or OBGYN about your specific circumstances and how they change your delivery. With the new info you get from your research, you can adjust your birth plan to suit your preterm birth. For example, as Made For Mums suggest, you might have to go through an elective C-section in your preterm delivery.

Make any necessary changes to your birth plan. But even with a new birth plan, you should expect the unexpected in your preterm delivery.

4 Visit The NICU

Most preemies are sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately after birth. You might spend days or weeks with your baby in the NICU, so it helps to get familiar with the overwhelming machine-filled environment of the NICU and see other preemie parents pulling through before your delivery. Your doctor could arrange for you to visit the NICU if you requested it.

3 Get Support

It is easy to feel isolated when everyone else is having a great pregnancy, but your pregnancy ends quite early. Surround yourself with preemie moms like you. A support group where you exchange ideas, doubts, and concerns with other preemie moms might be just what you need. You can join online preemie parents' support groups if you can't find one in your local community.

Your partner is the other closest person to the baby after you. If you can, share your worries and be each other's strength. You can also reach out to family, like your parents.

2 Counseling

You need compassionate and frank discussions with a neonatologist, midwife, or OB/GYN as frequently as you can. That is why hospitals typically offer counseling sessions for couples expecting premature babies. If your hospital does not provide counseling sessions or you don't like your hospital's counselors, seek a different counselor or therapist.

1 Self-Care

Self-care is the most crucial thing in your preparation for preterm birth. A happy mom almost always equals a happy baby. You know how to best take care of yourself, but here are some suggestions to cope through this challenging time.

  • Practice relaxation techniques like prenatal yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.
  • Practice mindfulness to control anxiety, stop racing thoughts and enjoy the present moments.
  • Indulge in activities that calm you, like painting, writing, reading, taking walks, music, etc.
  • Try positive affirmations to set a positive attitude towards the delivery and the baby.
  • Feed well, drink plenty of fluids, and rest as much as you can.
  • Surround yourself with people that love you.

NEXT: Pregnant Women Living In Socially Vulnerable Areas At Higher Risk Of Premature Birth

Sources: Made For Mums, Raising Children, Hand To Hold