Stress during pregnancy is usually harmless, but prolonged or severe stress may not be good for the mother and the baby (1). It is common for pregnant mothers to stress over their baby, body, life changes, and many other things. Research shows that around 8% to 13% of women are diagnosed with anxiety during and before pregnancy (2). It also indicates that constant stress may lead to sleeping difficulties, headaches, and depression. (3). Read about the types, causes, symptoms, effects, and management tips for stress during pregnancy.
Causes Of Stress During Pregnancy
For some women, discovering their pregnancy could be stressful as they might not be ready for the new challenges that come their way. The possible reasons for stress could be (4) (5) (6):
Conceiving after several pregnancy failures or previous negative experiences, such as miscarriage or the death of a baby.
Dealing with a complicated pregnancy and experiencing discomforts, such as nausea, constipation, or fatigue.
Stressful life events, such as domestic violence, divorce, or having relationship difficulties. Long-lasting difficulties related to job change, financial situation, or health problems. Going through emotional stress, such as past anxiety, depression, death in the family, or drug and alcohol addictions. Facing tragic events, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or terrorist attacks. Exposure to racism may also be a reason for maternal depression. It has been found that African-American women in the US delivered premature babies or low-birthweight babies than any other race (7). Pregnancy-specific stress is also common in women, where they worry about the health of their baby, the labor, or how they would cope with the new life. Moreover, the change in hormones due to pregnancy increases mood swings.
Symptoms Of Stress During Pregnancy
The following are some common symptoms in mothers dealing with stress. Knowing and understanding them may help you to cope with stress (8) (9) (10).
Constantly worried, confused, or anxious Living a constantly busy life Worried even about the positive changes in life, such as a job promotion Increased heart rate and nervousness Trouble in sleeping A mind preoccupied with thoughts Having headaches and body aches Lack of energy and focus Overeating or undereating Loss of interest in hobbies Drug and alcohol abuse
Experiencing nightmares and memory loss Isolation from social interaction
Effects Of Stress On Pregnancy
Chronic stress may adversely affect the health of expectant mothers and their pregnancy in several ways. Some effects are (2):
Preterm labor Low birth weight Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia
A weakened immune system (11). Women who smoke or drink alcohol to reduce stress may increase their risk of pregnancy complications (5).
Effects Of Stress On The Baby
Stress and anxiety during pregnancy may affect the baby’s behavioral, physiological, or immunological functions (2).
Chronic stress during pregnancy may result in intrauterine growth restriction, with poor growth of the unborn baby (12). Stress hormones during pregnancy alter the neurobiological (related to the nervous system and brain) development of the fetus, which may result in decreased cognitive development and behavioral issues in the child. Infants of mothers who experience stress during pregnancy may be temperamental and more difficult to soothe. Studies show that stress in mothers during pregnancy may cause children to develop an irrational fear or have trouble paying attention (11). There is also a risk that unborn children may develop mental illness or physical illness, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or cardiovascular disease, if the mother experiences prolonged stress during pregnancy (13) (14).
Tips For Managing Stress During Pregnancy
High levels of stress are manageable if you understand what triggers it and learn ways to handle them. Some stress-management tips that might help include (4) (11):
Eat a well-balanced diet that helps you stay healthy and energetic. Take breaks and rest well as it lessens your stress. Do some regular pregnancy-safe exercise. Practice yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises to relax. You may even join yoga classes or download suitable podcasts and videos.
Engage in hobbies that keep you interested. Talk about your concerns with people you trust or who make you feel good. Do not take up more work than you can do. Take childbirth classes that help you stay informed and better prepared for the future.
Talk to a therapist if you have been dealing with prenatal depression and anxiety.
