Stress in early and late pregnancy: symptoms, consequences / Mama66.ru

The period of bearing a child is a delightful stage in a woman’s life. She finds herself the center of care and attention, but at the same time she has a huge responsibility for the little man. Preparing for the arrival of a baby, resolving work issues, and everyday chores occurring against the backdrop of hormonal storms can provoke a full-fledged stress reaction. The magazine “Together with You” figured out how stress affects pregnancy, whether you should worry about the health of the child, and how to minimize this impact.

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Stress during pregnancy: causes

The fact of pregnancy itself is already stressful for the body. In the next 9 months, he will have to go through serious changes associated with increased stress on all organs and systems. Therefore, a woman should avoid any additional stressful situations, and the truism that pregnant women should not be nervous is completely justified.

In reality, almost no expectant mother can do without worries, but how strong the impact of stress on pregnancy will depend on the intensity of the worries. The following reasons may be provoking factors:

Fear for the child. While the baby is inside the belly, the mother cannot control his condition or know whether he is healthy. This is especially annoying for women who have had unsuccessful pregnancies. The fear subsides a little with the onset of movements and the completion of all planned tests.
Contacts with others. Registering with a antenatal clinic is not a task for the faint of heart. The queues, tests, and unfriendly staff shock women who are not accustomed to the realities of our medicine. However, an easily vulnerable pregnant woman can be hurt anywhere, and a trip on public transport or a trip to the store turns into mini-stress.
Working moments. It becomes difficult to work as before, and if colleagues and superiors do not treat you with understanding, it is almost impossible. If your manager is calm about being late due to tests and delaying deadlines due to morning sickness, you can consider yourself lucky.
Shock situations. A woman’s special position cannot insure her from life’s shocks. An accident, natural disaster, death of loved ones, betrayal or divorce can overtake her during this especially vulnerable period.

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Fear of childbirth. It usually overcomes women in the third trimester, closer to the “H” hour. This stress factor intertwines fear of pain, complications, errors of medical personnel and many other, often vague and irrational fears.
Preparatory chores. There is so much to choose from - a stroller, a crib, a mattress, decide whether you need a pillow, and what to take with you to the hospital. Despite the fact that these chores are rather pleasant, they are full-fledged stress for the nervous system.

Bad and good stress

Stress is influenced by both positive and negative emotions. In psychology, a distinction is made between the concepts of eustress (caused by positive experiences) and distress (caused by negative events). Both varieties load the nervous system, although with different emotional overtones.

Don’t think that a scolding from your boss is a meaningless little thing that doesn’t add up to a stressful situation. In practical psychology, an assessment method such as a stress scale is used. At the same time, real disasters, such as the death of relatives, are estimated at 100%, and small episodes, such as not giving up a seat in transport, are estimated at only 5%. All negative emotions received are summed up, and in a couple of days the total degree of stress can exceed far beyond 100%. So multiple small experiences are no better than single strong ones.

Stress during early pregnancy: should you be afraid?

The beginning of pregnancy is a rather ambiguous period. On the one hand, the expectant mother feels quite pregnant, and often experiences unpleasant sensations of toxicosis. On the other hand, nothing is visible outwardly yet, and even close people do not always consider it necessary to treat a woman with reverence, not to mention strangers.

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Any damaging factors, as well as stress, in the early stages of pregnancy act on the child according to the “all or nothing” principle:

On the one hand, the fetus is completely protected from physical influences by the fact that, due to its small size, the uterus is located in the pelvic cavity. There is also no need to worry about the effects of high levels of stress hormones, because the uteroplacental blood flow begins to function only after 10 weeks, and everything that circulates in the mother’s blood cannot reach the fetus.
On the other hand, the organs and systems of the fetus are not yet differentiated, which means that even the slightest damage causes severe pathology, most often incompatible with life.

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Stress during pregnancy itself does not have consequences for the child in the first trimester, but it can provoke changes in the mother’s body:

Increased toxicosis. Against the backdrop of anxiety, mild morning nausea can develop into round-the-clock nausea, leading to vomiting. Women note drowsiness, the desire to sleep almost around the clock and other manifestations.
Stress in the early stages can provoke hormonal changes, due to which implantation of the embryo is disrupted, but in this case the woman will not even know that there was a pregnancy.
The mother's worries and worries lead to an increase in smooth muscle tone, which carries the threat of miscarriage.
Severe stress during pregnancy is one of the likely factors for fetal death.

Frozen fruit

A fairly common pathology in which an absolutely healthy fetus stops developing and dies in utero without any physical reason. This can happen at any time, up to 42 weeks.

If you notice bloody or spotting discharge or feel a nagging pain in the lower abdomen, consult a doctor immediately. A delay of even a few hours can become critical, so do not hesitate to call an ambulance or call the doctor after hours.

Consequences

Stress allows you to mobilize the body's strength for a short time, due to the production of a number of hormones by the endocrine glands. At the same time, the heart rate increases, blood pressure increases, and increased sweating occurs. But after a period of resistance to negative influences, the stage of exhaustion begins.

Such overloads damage the nervous and immune systems. The number of T-lymphocytes responsible for fighting viruses and infections decreases, which increases the likelihood of prolonged and complicated colds. With chronic exposure to stress, these changes become permanent. Against this background, exacerbation of chronic diseases and even the development of oncological processes is possible.

Increased psycho-emotional stress is undesirable for any person, but the pregnant body is especially susceptible to its influence. Loss of strength, insomnia, headaches, complicated colds, the risk of developing late toxicosis - all this threatens the expectant mother, who often experiences negative emotions. The consequences of stress during pregnancy also affect the child, causing deviations in his physical and emotional development.

A woman preparing to become a mother must be aware of her responsibility for the life of her baby. By avoiding stress during pregnancy and getting rid of unnecessary worries in a timely manner, you will protect your baby and maintain your health.

Author: Yana Semich, especially for Mama66.ru

Second trimester: keep your nerves under control

With the onset of the second trimester, the woman feels relief. Toxicosis, hormonal changes and the first tests are already behind us, and the time of sluggishness and swelling has not yet come. The tummy is just emerging and looks nice and neat, you rarely need to go to a consultation, so if there are no deviations, it’s time to enjoy your special status. Stress during pregnancy in the second trimester is usually associated with factors beyond the woman's control; more often these are severe shocks than minor experiences.

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Despite the fact that the second trimester is relatively easy for the mother, it is a busy time for the baby. Now the formation and development of all organs and systems is taking place, and the damage at this time is the most severe. Don’t be alarmed, stress during pregnancy will not cause consequences in the form of congenital anomalies, but still it cannot be called absolutely safe:

Under the influence of stressful situations, the uteroplacental blood flow suffers, as a result of which the fetus does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen. Low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation are more common among newborns whose mothers have experienced stress.
Uterine hypertonicity also remains relevant. Up to 22 weeks, it is fraught with spontaneous termination of pregnancy, and after that - with premature birth with the birth of a very premature baby.
Chronic stress leads to constantly elevated levels of stress hormones in the blood. As a result, the fetus perceives such a hormonal background as normal, adapting to it. After birth, such a child unconsciously strives for stressful situations, provoking conflicts and aggression. As adults, such children often get involved in extreme entertainment to keep their bodies in good shape.
Official medicine has also traced the connection that stress during pregnancy has with autism. Such studies have not been conducted in the post-Soviet space, but in the United States, 46% of surveyed mothers whose children suffer from autism noted that they experienced stressful situations while carrying a child.

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If you were unable to avoid shocks during this period, be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe herbal-based sedatives. Also inquire about the possibility of a trip to a sanatorium for pregnant women, if there is one in your city. If measures are taken in a timely manner, stress during pregnancy does not have consequences for the child.

What to do when stressed?

According to experts, the worst thing you can do is keep negative emotions to yourself. Therefore, if you cannot avoid stress, you need to learn to cope with it correctly.

You can relieve nervous tension in the following ways:

Take several slow, deep breaths in and out. Focus on breathing and imagine how oxygen flows to the baby, stroke the belly with light massaging movements.
Listen to music for relaxation. To do this, you can create a special collection of pleasant, calm melodies.
If you are at home, take a warm bath with aromatic oils.

It will be easier to get through an unpleasant situation if you talk it out, discussing it with a loved one - husband, mother, friend. It is also useful to attend relaxing massage sessions if there are no medical contraindications to this. It is recommended to read light books, such as women's novels, and watch only positive films.

Sleep plays an important role in the fight against chronic stress - pregnant women need to sleep at least 9 hours a day. If it is difficult to sleep due to nervous tension, you may need to take light herbal sedatives, such as motherwort or valerian tincture. The dosage and duration of their use should be discussed with your doctor.

If all of the above does not help, do not be afraid to seek qualified help. In difficult situations, when it is not possible to find support among loved ones, working through the problem with a psychologist gives good results.

The last trimester is not the time for stress

If you have crossed the threshold of 28 weeks, you can exhale. The child is no longer in any danger; all organs and systems have developed and are only going through the final stages of formation. The main task of the toddler now is to increase weight, and only stress can interfere with this. If a child is born now, even in shabby hospitals without modern equipment, he will most likely be saved. But it’s still better not to take risks and take care, because mild or severe stress during pregnancy can have the following consequences:

Premature birth. Your body cares about the health of the baby, and if it judges that hormone fluctuations and uterine hypertonicity are more dangerous for it than being born prematurely, labor may well begin unplanned.
Weakness of labor. The process of giving birth to a child is a complex mechanism that is triggered and regulated by hormonal changes. If hormone levels are abnormal during pregnancy, labor will be ineffective and doctors will need to induce labor or deliver the baby by cesarean section.
Light weight. No one has canceled hypoxia and impaired uteroplacental circulation, and since the main process of the third trimester is weight gain, it is he who suffers due to stress.
Malposition. Periodic hypertonicity in various segments of the uterus leads to the fact that the baby cannot take the correct head-down position before birth. Breech and oblique presentation makes it impossible or significantly complicates the course of childbirth through the natural birth canal.

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In addition to the risks listed above, stress during pregnancy has nonspecific consequences. Children in the first year of life often sleep poorly and behave restlessly, and if the stress factor is not eliminated, problems with lactation may arise.

Causes

There can be many causes of stress, they depend on life circumstances and a person’s perception. What is quite normal for some expectant mothers and does not cause psychological discomfort, becomes a problem for others.

Sometimes a stressful situation arises even due to weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain). The reason may also be a change of place of residence, a change in daily routine, hunger, or excessive physical activity.

Often stress is associated with the state of pregnancy itself. The points that most often concern expectant mothers include:

Physiological changes. Weight gain, the appearance of stretch marks, the fear of spoiling your figure and losing your attractiveness can put many people in a state of stress. It is important to remember that it is temporary and reversible.
Fear of childbirth. The process of giving birth to a child is shrouded in many myths and speculations, in which it is the quintessence of danger and pain. Of course, this does not contribute to the positive attitude of the expectant mother. Read more about how to stop being afraid of childbirth→
Excitement about the child. While waiting for a baby, especially if the pregnancy is complicated, a woman worries about him, fearing miscarriage, premature birth, possible congenital pathologies and abnormalities in fetal development. All this can cause prolonged stress.
Family problems. During pregnancy, cooling sometimes occurs between spouses. A woman may feel that her husband does not understand her and does not fully support her. Added to this are the experiences associated with a rapid change in lifestyle. Such problems are more common for couples expecting their first child.
Financial difficulties. If the family has a small income, the costs associated with the upcoming addition may overshadow the joy of the future parents.
Conflicts and difficulties at work. Since most women are forced to work until the 30th week of pregnancy, solving work problems and communicating with the team can be a burden for the expectant mother. After all, as the belly grows, it becomes more and more difficult to cope with work, and the nervous system becomes more vulnerable.

In addition to the usual negative factors, unforeseen circumstances are possible. The death of a loved one, a break in a relationship with a spouse, an accident or accident can cause severe stress during pregnancy, which has dire consequences.

How to cope with stress during pregnancy: useful tips

First of all, calm down. This is not a joke, now nothing matters except the little one that lives under the heart. Your experiences now can result in serious problems for a defenseless creature. Therefore, pull yourself together and implement the recommendations of psychologists:

Stop being afraid. Fear that something is wrong with the child is not constructive. Follow the doctor's recommendations, undergo all examinations, and do not think about the bad.
Find yourself a hobby. It’s best if it’s something creative – drawing, knitting or handmade.
Pamper yourself. Don't deny yourself small joys. One cookie will harm the body less than an angry mother. Eat what you want, just control the quantity.

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The fear of pain during childbirth should recede. Accept that you will have to work hard and be patient during childbirth, but a few hours of pain are nothing compared to the years of joy of motherhood.
Announce your situation to everyone. Often, a pregnant woman strives to keep her secret longer, but if you lack attentive attention, do not hesitate to say that you are pregnant. Let the boss not begin to tremble before you, but at least he will not raise his voice.
Talk about your desires. No man will refuse to give up his seat if you directly ask him to do so and explain that you are expecting a child. Don't wait for your husband to pamper you with a bouquet of flowers; tell him about it directly.

Don't let stress ruin your pregnancy. After all, this wonderful period happens so rarely that you should definitely get the most out of it. Moreover, the course of pregnancy, the ease of childbirth, and the health of the child now depend on your peace of mind.