Pregnancy is a stressful time for most women. You can be happy, sad, and scared at the same time. It is normal to feel this way. Very high levels of stress can cause premature birth and low birth weight. This extreme stress can be caused by job loss, divorce, or the death of a close family member.
What can you do? Recognize that you are really stressed. Recognizing that you are stressed and investigating the causes is the first step in reducing stress. You can also relieve your stress with the help of:
- Eating regular & nutritious meals and drinking plenty of fluids
- Resting when your body needs it
- By exercising
- By meditating, listening to music or keeping a journal
- Staying away from alcohol, cigarettes and other harmful substances
- Staying away from stressful people and situations as much as possible
- Talking to your partner, friends, relatives, doctor.
- By going to all your prenatal checkups. This will give you the idea that everything is fine.
Too much stress is uncomfortable for everyone. In the short term, high levels of stress can cause fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, loss of appetite or overeating, headaches, backaches. If the state of extreme stress continues for a long time, it can lead to more serious health problems such as susceptibility to infections, high blood pressure and heart problems. Excessive stress also creates some special risks for pregnant women. Most women cope with the emotional and physical stress of pregnancy. A pregnant woman who thinks she can cope with stress will not face health problems caused by stress. Pregnant women who are concerned about the level of this stress are advised to talk about this issue with their spouses, family and friends and share their feelings. These individuals in the immediate environment can help you reduce stress by supporting you.
What Kinds of Stress Affect Pregnancy? Routine stresses such as job deliveries and traffic delays are unlikely to cause pregnancy-related complications. Not all types of stress are bad. When properly managed, stress gives us momentum to solve new problems.
However, some types of severe and prolonged stress can endanger the pregnancy. Some studies show that adverse events such as divorce, loss of a family member, serious illness or dismissal may cause premature birth and low birth weight. However, most women who experience such adverse events do not experience any adverse effects.
Chronic stress has an impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Studies have shown that pregnant women with chronic stress and low income (who have difficulty in finding food, who are obliged to take care of a child with a chronic illness or who have unemployment problems) have a higher risk of giving birth with low birth weight.
Some women may experience chronic stress from pregnancy. These women are often worried about the health of their baby or their future life at birth. If you have these concerns, talk to your doctor and relatives.
The baby of most women who experience stress during pregnancy is born on time and in a healthy way. Some women may be more sensitive to the effects of stress than others.
What Are the Risks of High Levels of Stress During Pregnancy? Many studies show that stress during pregnancy can cause premature birth and low birth weight. Babies born very small or very prematurely can have serious health problems.
How Does Stress Affect Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes? Researchers do not have a clear view of how stress negatively affects pregnancy. However, certain stress-related hormones play a role. For example, stress can trigger the hormone CRH, causing premature birth. The CRH hormone produced by the brain and placenta is closely related to childbirth. This hormone causes the body to release a chemical called prostaglandin, causing uterine contractions. Severe or long-term stress also affects the function of the immune system. This makes a pregnant woman more susceptible to infections involving the uterus. Uterine infections can cause preterm labor, especially in those less than 28 weeks pregnant.
Stress also affects a woman's behavior. Some women respond to stress by smoking or drinking alcohol. This, in turn, can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, or other complications.
Does High Stress During Pregnancy Have a Long-Term Effect on the Baby? Some studies suggest that the high levels of stress experienced during pregnancy affect the mental and emotional development of the baby. Maternal stress can also lead to problems such as learning problems such as lack of interest, increased anxiety and anxiety. According to some studies, the stress experienced by the mother may pass to the baby through the placenta and affect the developing brain of the fetus.
How Can a Pregnant Woman Reduce Her Stress? Every pregnant woman should identify sources of personal and work-related stress and create her own unique ways of dealing with them. If she is overwhelmed by stress, she may see her doctor or a psychologist she recommends. Pregnancy-related ailments such as dizziness, fatigue, frequent urination, swelling and back pain can also cause stress, especially if all pre-pregnancy activities are continued in the same way. Stress can be reduced by interrupting non-essential activities.
Many women experience mood swings during their pregnancy. These happen due to hormonal changes and are normal. But mood swings can make it harder for a woman to cope with stress.
A healthy and fit pregnant woman can cope better with stress. You should eat healthy, get enough sleep, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, and exercise regularly under the supervision of a doctor. Exercising reduces stress by ensuring fit and vitality, preventing ailments such as back pain, fatigue and constipation.
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