Stress can affect anyone, including pregnant women. Pregnant women who should feel happy because they will have a baby can actually experience stress. There are many factors that can cause stress during pregnancy. You have to be careful if you experience stress during pregnancy because this situation is certainly dangerous for pregnancy. Not only will you be affected yourself, but the little one in the womb will also be affected.
Actually stress during pregnancy is considered normal. It’s just that, if the mother’s stress interferes with activities, the impact will be bad for the fetus. The fetus is able to feel what the mother is experiencing, because what the mother feels will be transferred through the hormones produced by the mother to the fetus. Well, here is the impact on the fetus if the mother is stressed during pregnancy. (Also read: Signs of Fetal Movement Ahead of Normal Labor )
Impact of Mother Stress While Pregnant
When stressed, the body will produce the hormone cortisol and other stress hormones. If you are able to handle stress well, the body’s response to stress will decrease, then the body will return to normal. If you continue to experience it, stress will be dangerous. Continuously experiencing stress will make the stress management system in the body change, which will cause the body to overreact and trigger an inflammatory response. Inflammation has been linked to decreased pregnancy health, as well as problems with fetal development in the womb. Well, here are some of the dangers of stress if it is not managed properly for the health of both the mother and the fetus.
Impact on the Development of Babies
Based on research shows that pregnant women who experience chronic stress, but not accompanied by the ability to manage stress can cause the birth of babies with low birth weight or premature birth. This situation is caused by decreased blood flow to the uterus which significantly affects the growth and development of the little one in the womb.
Causes Premature Birth
Stress can affect the placenta of pregnant women. When pregnant women are stressed, especially during the first trimester of age pregnancy, the placenta produces the CRH hormone. Where this hormone has a function to regulate the duration of pregnancy. If the hormone level is higher than it should be, the duration of pregnancy will be shorter and as a result the baby will be born prematurely.
Affects the Fetal Brain
Chronic stress that mothers experience has an influence on abnormalities in the process of forming the baby’s brain in the womb which will cause behavioral problems in subsequent growth of the baby. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
Reduced Oxygen Supply for Fetus
When pregnant women feel anxious, the mother’s body will produce stress hormones that will affect the fetus, namely epinephrine and norepinephrine, which can make blood vessels tight and reduce oxygen supply to the uterus.
Miscarriage
Anxiety, fear, worry, and depression in pregnant women will cause uterine contractions. Excessive contractions will affect the resistance of the uterus, as well as the fetus in the womb. If the fetus does not develop properly, the risk of miscarriage can threaten the pregnancy.
Long-term research shows that mothers who experience stress during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, will make their children more likely to have heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Not only that, mothers who are chronically stressed will be able to influence the brain which has a role in learning and emotional. So if pregnant women are stressed, the baby is at risk of experiencing autism.
How to Overcome Stress in Pregnant Women
Pregnant women experiencing stress is a normal condition. However, mothers must be able to control stress. Everyone has a different way of dealing with stress, so it’s important to know yourself. However, you can try the following ways to deal with stress:
Making Lifestyle Changes
Pregnant women as much as possible do not experience mental or physical stress due to work matters. Once you know you are pregnant, you can make a list or schedule that should be changed in your daily activities. Making a daily schedule will allow you to have enough rest time so that you will not be too stressed by work.
Doing Routine Exercise
Exercise can stimulate a person’s hormones to be happier. Besides being able to create a healthy body, exercise can also nourish the mind. In addition, exercise is good for the fetus in the womb. You can do sports that are safe for pregnant women. To find out, you can consult a doctor.
Pamper Yourself
When pregnant you can take the time to pamper yourself to avoid stress. You can do activities that you enjoy so that you are happier and the pregnancy period is enjoyed well. You can indulge in sightseeing or shopping. Besides that, you can also do your hobby, but make sure it is safe for pregnancy.
Find the Causes of Stress
You can find out why you are stressed. If you are afraid of childbirth, you can exchange ideas with relatives or friends who have given birth and ask for tips. It’s best to avoid reading scary stories about childbirth which will only make you even more stressed.
Meditation
Meditation can be a way to calm the mind so that stress during pregnancy can be relieved. In addition, meditation during pregnancy is a therapy for mental health and has good benefits for both mother and baby. (See also: Characteristics of a Pregnant Person )
Sleep well
When pregnant there are many complaints that will be experienced by pregnant women. Even during sleep, it is often difficult for mothers to find a comfortable sleeping position, which causes the mother to have difficulty sleeping. Too many thoughts will also make it difficult for mom to sleep. Even because of nausea, headaches and cravings, mothers often wake up at night. Even though pregnant women need adequate and quality sleep to help the body rest. It is important for pregnant women to meet their needs for rest time.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation can help you reduce the stress you experience. There are many relaxation techniques to choose
from, such as spa, yoga or massage. Not only does it help reduce stress, relaxation will also help the growth and development of the baby in the womb.
Take Pregnancy Class
Pregnancy classes besides helping to prepare pregnant women for normal delivery, can also be a place to talk about problems experienced during pregnancy. In addition, pregnancy classes can ensure your mental health during pregnancy so you can avoid stress.
Enjoy The Happy Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there may be many things that can stress you out, from the complaints you feel, preparation for childbirth to preparation for becoming a mother. You can enjoy your pregnancy happily to avoid stress.
You can also take a break from all tiring activities while you are pregnant. We recommend that you enjoy your pregnancy in a relaxed manner. If you are able to enjoy your pregnancy in a relaxed and happy manner, then you will automatically reduce stress.
Thus, it is important for pregnant women to be able to manage stress properly so that it will not have a bad impact on yourself and the fetus in the womb.
This article is reviewed by Midwife Pevi Revina sTR. Keb
