5 Things That Can Stress a Pregnant Woman and Affect the Unborn Baby

We cannot deny that stress is part of our everyday lives, and pregnancy is no exception. Experts say that a stressed-out pregnant woman can give birth to a baby with compromised IQ and development, not to mention other problems down the road. But is all stress harmful? How might this affect the fetus? Keep reading to find out more!

In this post, the awesome.club is willing to investigate the problems that may arise as a result of stress during pregnancy. In addition, we show how it is possible to face the problem and reveal that not all stress is harmful.

The well-being of the future baby is a concern that haunts every pregnant woman’s mind, these concerns can become a real stress. Paradoxically, the first thing to do to have a healthy baby is to calm down. Ann Borders, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Evanston Hospital, says the inability to cope with stressful situations contributes to premature birth and low birth weight babies.

Stress increases the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (or CRH)🇧🇷 In future mothers, CRH influences the duration of pregnancy and fetal development. The higher the CRH level, the sooner delivery will occur.

It is interesting to know that the first trimester is what matters most🇧🇷 People used to think that in order to avoid premature births, pregnant women should avoid worrying during the last trimester. But in fact, it’s just the opposite. Premature birth is usually caused by an early rise in CRH levels, caused by the stress experienced during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Experts have found that high levels of cortisol can lower a child’s Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Normally, the placenta produces enzymes that break down cortisolbut this ability is compromised in the face of intense or prolonged stress.

It was also confirmed that the stress experienced during pregnancy can affect the baby’s brain development. A study carried out by a team from the University of Wayne (USA) found that maternal stress is linked to brain connectivity and with the organization of functional neural systems, compromising their efficiency.

New technologies have also allowed scholars to conclude that our brain does not develop by starting with the simplest systems and ending with the most complicated ones. The cerebellum, the stress reaction center, is one of the first to develop, leaving the fetus susceptible to the stress experienced by the mother from an early age.

Surprisingly, the emotional state of the mother affects not only fetal development, but also the child’s sleep. A 2007 study found that maternal stress influences a child’s sleep time.

Experts examined babies aged six, 18 and 30 months, measuring their sleep time and how often they woke up at night. They concluded that children whose mothers experienced anxiety episodes during pregnancy had sleep problems between 18 and 30 months🇧🇷 This happens due to the fact that cortisol crosses the placenta and affects the area of ​​the brain responsible for the baby’s circadian cycle.

A 2011 study confirmed that maternal stress affects a child’s overall health. The results also showed a higher risk of early infection and mental disorders in children who experienced stress in utero. There are also other problems, such as eye, hearing, digestive, respiratory, skin, bone, muscular, circulatory and urinary diseases. There is also the possibility of developing allergies and asthma.

A link between stress and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has also been found. In this case, the stressed mother-to-be affects her child’s health more than a smoking pregnant woman.

The researcher Elysia Davis, from the University of Denver (USA), assures that the high level of cortisol in a pregnant woman makes the child more prone to feel stress in the future. This is evident when doctors draw blood from the newborn. Some babies react more strongly to stress.

Small children feel fear when exposed to simple challenges, like seeing a stranger walk into their room or when someone throws them a ball. Normally, in the latter case, the child would happily join in the game, but stressed children freeze or run to their mother for safety.

The mothers also noticed that these children are more anxious at school and even pre-school age, showing fear of going to class.

After reading the information above, it is possible that every pregnant woman wants to avoid stressful situations as much as possible, spend the day indoors, meditating day and night. But it’s better to get out of that bubble!

One study revealed that the short-term stress does not affect the baby🇧🇷 To prove this, researchers measured cortisol levels in pregnant women’s saliva and amniotic fluid after a stressful event. They found that short-term stress does not influence the physical and psychological development of the fetus.

Long-term stress it causes an increase in the levels of CRH in the amniotic fluid, increasing the risks of manifesting any of the consequences described above.

Fortunately, it is possible to combat stressful situations. Just do the following:

Pay attention to what you eat and when you eat🇧🇷 Be sure to have breakfast, eat fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains. Try to eat at the same time every day.
Do exercises🇧🇷 Pregnancy is not an excuse to spend nine months lying on the couch. Walk in the park or along the shore, go to the pool, or do low-intensity aerobic exercise. Practicing sports increases the level of the happiness hormone, leaving stress in the past.
Meditate. Practice is really effective to fight anxiety. Why not try?
Hang out with people who make you happy🇧🇷 Talking to relatives or friends who can be supportive is key to making your day better.
write down your worries🇧🇷 This simple habit decreases the intensity of negative emotions experienced.
enjoy a hobby🇧🇷 Practice will keep hands and minds busy, leaving no room for harmful thoughts.
sleep more🇧🇷 This won’t solve all your problems, but it will give your body the rest it needs to maintain your health and that of your baby.
Talk to an expert🇧🇷 If you are unable to overcome difficulties on your own, seek professional help. Mood swings can be a sign of depression or stress that may be too intense to handle without professional help. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when needed.

A study carried out with rodents that have behavior and reactions similar to those of humans, proved that stress can be good for the baby as long as the child finds a favorable environment after birth🇧🇷 The increase in cortisol that affects the brain in utero may favor brain plasticity. Individuals who were well cared for after birth showed no signs of excessive anxiety.

Another study also revealed that the love and strong bond between mother and child are capable of reversing the impact of the stress experienced by the child in the womb, even in relation to the babies’ cognitive development.

After all this information, we can only say one more thing: don’t overdo your worries! All your baby needs is support and love. Talk to your tummy, caress it, sing peaceful songs, send signs of your love to the future baby.

Do you know other ways to deal with stress? Do you get stressed easily or face difficulties without letting nervousness take over?

Leave a comment with your impressions on the subject!

If you’ve been pregnant, how was the experience?