Advantages and disadvantages of neurotherapy during pregnancy
Dr. Masoume Falahian
Tehran
کد عضویت: Specialized doctorate system number: 5925
Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful and at the same time most challenging seasons in a woman's life. Along with all the joy and excitement of waiting for the birth of a baby, hormonal changes, natural worries and physical changes can greatly affect the mother's mental health. Anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress are among the issues that many expectant mothers face. In the meantime, there is a big and common concern: how to manage these problems, without the slightest risk to the health of the fetus?Many mothers avoid drug treatments due to the concern about the side effects of drugs and look for alternative and non-invasive solutions. **Neurotherapy during pregnancy** as a new approach, without drugs and based on brain science, has been increasingly noticed. But the main and vital question is: is this method really safe? This article examines the advantages, disadvantages and most importantly, the safety of this treatment method for you and your child in an in-depth, clear and based on scientific evidence.Why is neurotherapy recommended during pregnancy?Pregnancy is a time full of conflicting advice: on the one hand, you are told to keep calm and avoid stress, and on the other, you are warned against taking many medications to control anxiety or depression. This treatment impasse has led many knowledgeable mothers to search for new solutions. **Neurotherapy during pregnancy** is presented as a smart answer to this vital need for four key reasons:
This approach is taking care of two people at the same time; Taking care of your mental health today to build a healthier future for your child.
Neurotherapy applications during pregnancy
**Neurotherapy during pregnancy** is not a single solution to a problem; Rather, it is a specialized toolbox to manage the various mental and physical challenges of this sensitive period. In the following, we discuss the most important and documented applications of this method:
### 1. Pregnancy anxiety and stress management
It is normal to worry about the health of the fetus, the future and changes in life. But when this concern turns into chronic anxiety, it can be harmful.
**How does it help?** Neurofeedback trains the brain to reduce overactivity in stress centers (such as the amygdala) and increase the production of brain waves associated with relaxation (alpha waves). At the same time, biofeedback teaches you to voluntarily control physical reactions to stress, such as heart palpitations and rapid breathing.
**Result**: You learn how to calm your nervous system, which directly leads to lower levels of the stress hormone (cortisol) and a calmer environment for the developing fetus.
### 2. Dealing with depression and mood swings
Severe hormonal changes can cause mood swings or even prenatal depression.
**How does it help?** Research has shown that depression is associated with certain patterns of brain activity (such as asymmetry in the activity of the frontal lobes). Neurofeedback can purposefully modify these patterns and help the brain achieve a more stable mood balance.
**Conclusion**: Not only does this help you feel better during pregnancy, it also acts as an important preventative factor against postpartum depression (PPD) by boosting brain resilience.
### 3. Improving sleep quality and fighting insomnia
Insomnia, especially in the third trimester, is one of the common problems of pregnancy that can make the mother tired and irritable.
**How does it help?** Neurofeedback can train the brain to enter sleep more easily and stay in its deep, restorative stages. This is done by encouraging the brain to produce sleep-related brain waves (such as theta and delta waves) at the right time.
**Result** : Improving the quality of sleep, which is vital for restoring the mother's energy and also for the process of the fetus's growth.
### 4. Increasing preparation for childbirth and pain management
Fear of labor pain is itself a great source of stress. Biofeedback is one of the most effective non-drug methods to prepare for this process.
**How does it help?**Using thermal and muscle biofeedback (EMG), you learn how to bring your body into deep relaxation, control your pelvic floor muscles, and manage your body's response to pain by focusing on your breathing.
**Result**: You enter the birthing process with a feeling of empowerment and more control. These skills will help you manage pain more effectively and reduce the need for medical interventions.The benefits of neurotherapy during pregnancy
**Neurotherapy during pregnancy** can bring significant benefits to the mental and physical health of the mother. By targeting the neural roots of problems, instead of suppressing symptoms, this approach seeks to create sustainable changes and empower the mother. In the table below, we mention some of these key benefits:
Neurotherapy techniques for pregnancy
When we talk about **neurotherapy during pregnancy**, we mainly mean two specific, non-invasive and very safe techniques that do not introduce any harmful substances or electrical currents into the body.
### 1. Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback can be described as a mirror for the brain. In this method, small sensors are placed on the scalp to read and record your brain waves. This process is completely passive; It means that no signal is sent to your brain. Your brain activity is then displayed as a visual feedback (like a movie). Your brain subconsciously learns to play the movie properly by adjusting its activity. It is a learning process to achieve mental peace and stability.
### 2. Biofeedback
Biofeedback is also a training method, but it focuses on body signals. Sensors are attached to your fingers or body to record information such as heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature. You learn how to voluntarily control these physiological responses. For example, calm your heart rate with breathing techniques or raise the temperature of your hands with concentration, which is a sign of relaxation of the nervous system. Biofeedback is widely used to reduce pain and prepare for childbirth.Is neurotherapy safe during pregnancy?Non-invasive neurotherapy methods such as neurofeedback and biofeedback are generally considered safe for the mother and fetus.
The main reason is the nature of these techniques. As mentioned, these methods are only readers of your brain and body information and do not introduce any kind of energy, electrical current or wave into your body or the fetus. This process is as safe as using a thermometer to measure fever or using an electrocardiograph to check heart rate.
### Considerations of neurotherapy during pregnancyDespite the high safety of neurotherapy in pregnancy, responsibility and caution during the sensitive period of pregnancy is the first word.Choosing an accredited center for neurotherapy during pregnancyThe success and safety of the process **Neurotherapy during pregnancy** has a direct dependence on choosing a reliable and responsible treatment center. Be sure to look for a center that:
- must ask you for a written approval from a gynecologist before starting the treatment.
- have a team of authorized and experienced specialists in the field of neurotherapy and mental health of mothers.
- Provide an integrated treatment plan tailored to your unique conditions.Frequently Asked Questions
### 1. Is doing brain mapping (QEEG) dangerous during pregnancy?
No. Brain mapping, like the neurofeedback process itself, is a completely passive and non-invasive recording method. This process simply records the normal electrical activity of your brain and poses no risk to you or the fetus.
### 2. From what week of pregnancy can I start neurotherapy?
In general, after passing the first trimester of pregnancy, which is a more sensitive period for the development of the fetus, this process can be started with more confidence. However, the final decision in this matter must be made with the consultation and approval of your gynecologist.
### 3. Are the results of the treatment lost after childbirth and with hormonal changes?
No. Because **neurotherapy during pregnancy** is based on learning and creating new neural pathways in the brain, its results are stable and long-lasting. These self-regulation skills remain with you after childbirth and help you face the challenges of the postpartum period and its hormonal changes with more mental stability.
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