Will stress during pregnancy affect my baby?
It is normal to feel a little stress during pregnancy. Your body goes through many changes, and as hormones change, so does your mood. Can stress cause a miscarriage
Suffering a lot of stress can cause sleep problems, headaches, a loss of appetite, or a tendency to overeat, and all this can be harmful to you and your developing baby.
High stress levels can also cause high blood pressure, which increases the chances of premature labor or a low-birth-weight baby. Can stress cause a miscarriage
You should talk about stress with your healthcare provider and your loved ones. If you feel stressed due to uncertainty or fear of being a mother, are experiencing work-related stress, or are concerned about a miscarriage, talk to your health care provider during prenatal visits.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pregnancy
PTSD is a more serious type of stress that can negatively affect your baby. PTSD occurs when you have problems after seeing or going through a painful event, such as rape, abuse, a natural disaster, or the death of a loved one. You can experience two things:
- Anxiety
- Recurring memories or disturbing memories
- Nightmares
- Strong physical reactions to situations, people, or things that remind you of the event
- the desire to avoid places, activities, or people that I used to enjoy
- feeling of greater awareness of things
- Guilt
PTSD occurs in up to 8% of women during pregnancy,
which increases the baby’s risk of being born prematurely or having a low birth weight. PTSD also makes it more likely that someone will do things like smoke or drink too much, which can cause other problems.
Reducing stress is important to prevent problems during pregnancy and to reduce the risk of having health problems that can affect your developing child. Find out where the stress is coming from and do what you need to do to get rid of or reduce it. Be sure to get enough exercise (under the supervision of a doctor), eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep.
Some women experience extreme sadness and/or anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth. Many sources of information and support are available to help women who experience depression or anxiety. The mental health of moms is very important; it explains some signs of these problems and provides an action plan to get help. Consult your health care provider if you feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious. Receiving treatment and advice can help. Can stress cause a miscarriage
