Best 3 Apps to Calm Soon-to-Be Parents

Sleep much? The weeks leading up to your due date, planned C-section, "gotcha date" or postpartum days can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. Sleep (when you can get it) is interrupted by physical discomfort and/or worrisome thoughts that you just can't keep at bay. In this especially troubling time, expectant parents are feeling vulnerable and isolated.

But many people have turned to and found success - translated into calmer nerves, relaxation and even sleep - with apps. Thank you, technology! Here are three apps that are very popular with expectant and new parents (as well as others) wanting to slow down, breathe deeply and find some inner peace.

InsightTimer

• Free

This guided meditation library has many topics from which to choose. Here is just a sampling of the more than 200 topics:

• Recovery and Healing: Depression, Grief, Healing, Pain 
• Stress and Anxiety: Sleep, Anger, Fear, Workplace 
• Relationships: Parenting, Pregnancy, Love
• Meditation music: Nature sounds, Instrumentals, Ambient, Binaural beats, Classical, Chanting, Drumming
• Origin of Tradition: Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and more
• Visualization: Guided Imagery, Affirmations, Self-Compassion
• Parents: Stories and mediations to share with kids and teens

Calm

• 1 week free trial
• $69.99/year

This award-winning app has 6 types of relaxation platforms. It allows you to choose your current level of expertise, what your goals are and even has a "Breathe Bubble" which visually helps manage your rate of breath.

• Meditation: instruction and skill support
• Sleep
• Music: to help relax, focus or sleep
• Video lessons: mindful movement, stretching
• Masterclasses: audio programs
• Nature scenes and sounds

GentleBirth

• download for free
• $12.99/mo. for complete access

This app uses mindfulness, Hypnobirthing, sports psychology, and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to relax and calm - for all stages of parenthood.

GentleBirth offers four customized "journeys" to take based on evidence-based research.

• Fertility
• Pregnancy
• Parenting, Health & Sex
• Special Circumstances

I don't usually say this... take your phone to bed. But only to give these apps a try. Maybe you'll find one that can help you breathe easier and more deeply. Sweet dreams and goodnight.