The effect of stress during pregnancy on the fetus and the mother's body. Pregnant women can cry. Or how to deal with stress before childbirth How to calm down a pregnant woman in a stressful situation

Over the past two decades, the study of the effects of stress on the body has become one of the most important areas of medical science. This is no coincidence, because almost everyone faces stress. Depending on how we respond to stress, it can be helpful if it pushes us to act more effectively. Or, on the contrary, it is harmful - when it gets out of control and overwhelms us.

Negative reactions to stress are similar to normal mood swings.

Loss of appetite and insomnia can have a harmful effect on you and your baby.

You cannot allow these symptoms to torment you for a long time - they move on to the second and third trimesters. Learn to deal with stress.

You must approach this issue constructively and do everything to regain your peace of mind. Here are some tips for coping with stress.

Talk about what makes you nervous.

Do not dare fears in yourself, give them an outlet in the form of words. Alternatively, you can try to psychologically lean on your husband. Every night in the evening, but preferably not right before bedtime, discuss your worries and concerns with him.

Together, it will be easier for you not only to find solutions in difficult situations, but also to simply remain calm.

And also treat trouble with humor. In addition to your husband, you can talk to someone else. For example: with relatives, a friend or even a doctor.

A good way out would be to sign up for or some classes for pregnant women. There, you will be able to communicate with other mothers to understand that other pregnant women have the same problems. You can also try to find a hobby, for example, or some other.

If conventional remedies do not help, consult a psychologist.

Eliminate the source of stress.

Try to avoid situations that throw you off balance. If you are overwhelmed with different things, give up those that are not very important to you. If you have too many chores at work and around the house, then set aside some of them or entrust them to someone else.

Learn to manage and control your time! Mastering the skills of time management can significantly advance you in this.

Sometimes it helps to sit down with a notebook and an organizer to make a to-do list. Planning will help you feel that you have everything under control and all your affairs are “sorted out”. With this, you will cope with the feeling that you are choking in the chaos of responsibilities that have piled on you.

Get good sleep.

During sleep, not only the body is restored, but also the soul. Therefore, sound and healthy sleep is very important in the life of a pregnant woman, and, in general, of any person.

Tension and fears are often associated with the fact that a person does not get enough sleep.

If you are faced with this problem, then it will be interesting for you to read about methods on how to cope with insomnia.

Eat right.

Due to lack of time, many women do not eat properly and do not comply. All this leads to the fact that during pregnancy, your resistance to stress decreases. And in addition, it negatively affects the growth and development of the child.

The lack of discipline in nutrition for a pregnant woman is doubly harmful.

Therefore, take care of your daily menu, you will need three large meals or six small ones during the day, at least.

Relaxation techniques.

Taking a warm bath (not hot) is a great way to relax. Pamper yourself, take a bath after a hectic day. You can listen to relaxing music in the process, it will help you calm down and distract from worries. And also fall asleep faster if you do it in the evening, before going to bed.

Use the classic stress relief method of massage. Ask your husband to rub your shoulders or go to a professional master.

Be sure to tell the massage therapist that you are pregnant.

Use these and other relaxation techniques to combat stress. Most of these methods are useful not only during pregnancy, but also at any other time when you need to relieve tension.

Reduce the factors that trigger stress.

Maybe the problem itself isn't worth the attention you're giving it. For example, if you are nervous at work, then consider whether it is worth it. If you don't have the opportunity to quit or change jobs, then try to go on maternity leave early. You can also try to negotiate with your superiors to reduce working hours or delegate part of your duties to someone else. This will likely help you reduce stress and manage stress more easily.

Remember that after the birth of a child, stress can increase. Therefore, now is the time to learn how to cope with it and control yourself.

The period of pregnancy has many physiological and psychological nuances. Doctors play it safe, prescribe a lot of tests to prevent any detrimental changes in the condition of the mother and child, prescribe rest and advise to be careful. But, like any person, a woman in a position under the influence of various life circumstances can feel stress. There are many causes and manifestations of stress during pregnancy. What consequences does it threaten? How to deal with it? Do I need to see a doctor? Let's answer these questions.

Everyday and medical understanding of stress

People often describe their condition in medical terms. And in modern world, oversaturated with available information, this is sometimes done with complete confidence in the correspondence of the chosen word to the present state of affairs.

But you can't self-diagnose. In addition, juggling with concepts, we often put inaccurate meanings into them or even interpret them in our own way. Hence, there are differences in understanding between professionals who have relevant knowledge in this area and ordinary people.

Thus, stress in the common sense is a state of tension, usually negative.

From the point of view of medicine, stress is a non-specific reaction of the body or an adaptation syndrome that develops under the influence of various intense or new influences (strong physical exertion, psycho-emotional trauma).

There are several types of stress.

• Eustress caused by positive emotions.
• Distress. It occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to an adverse factor or a strong shock. The most detrimental type of stress, as the body is unable to cope with it on its own, which leads to severe physical and psychological consequences.
• emotional stress. Psycho-emotional experience by people of various life situations, when the satisfaction of social and biological needs is limited for a long time.
• Psychological stress. The state of extreme psychological stress and disorganization of behavior in society as a result of exposure to extreme factors.

From the classification it can be seen that the differences between the ordinary and medical understanding of stress lies in the following:

• non-specialists often refer to stress as ordinary nervous excitement or emotional excitement, which are inherent in emotional people prone to mood swings and outbursts;
• on the other hand, most do not recognize the stress of positive emotions, believing that only negative experiences adversely affect a person. But if you're so excited about an unexpected gift that you can't help crying or crying, you're medically experiencing eustress;
• people believe that stress is always caused by objective life circumstances. But it's not. After all, different people have different attitudes to the same case. For some, buying a house is a lot of stress, while for others it is a welcome event, comparable to pleasant chores. The emotional reaction of the body is born as a result of the analysis of one's own thoughts and assessments.

Symptoms and signs

Stress has its own symptoms. Among the signs there are common, characteristic for all people, and there are additional, specific ones that appear in pregnant women. The complexity of diagnosis lies in the fact that sometimes signs of stress are taken for a normal, typical pregnancy condition.

Tearfulness is a sign of stress in pregnant women

All symptoms can be divided into two groups: physical and behavioral.

physical symptoms

• weight loss (if it is not caused by toxicosis);
• headaches as a result of a pressure drop, which is also a sign of stress;
• stomach cramps, sometimes even vomiting. Unlike toxicosis, attacks are infrequent and more controlled;
• insomnia. It differs from that which is often observed in women in the last months of pregnancy and is associated with inconvenience when the stomach presses on the internal organs;
• rash, redness, itching and severe peeling on the skin. As a rule, in such situations, the results of the analyzes do not show the presence of any abnormalities;
• breathing difficulties. They are easier to identify in the early stages, since the child does not yet put pressure on the internal organs;
• panic attacks accompanied by increased heart rate;
• pressure surges;
• muscle tone. A very dangerous symptom, especially in the last months of pregnancy, as there is a risk of premature birth;
• the behavior of the baby in the tummy: he stops moving or, on the contrary, shows strong activity;
• lack of appetite or, conversely, a strong craving for food. Often a pregnant woman gains a lot of weight, which also affects the birth process. Properly selected diet is very important;
• frequent exacerbations of SARS. They are due to a weakened immune system.

behavioral signs

• depression. It is very difficult to recognize and diagnose it. Here again there is a big confusion with concepts. Go to a psychologist if you feel that you have reached a dead end, it will not be superfluous. They will listen to you, help you find a way out of a difficult situation;
• irritability. Slight irritability is inherent in all women in a position, but systematic explosions are not the norm, no matter what stage of pregnancy you are;
• difficulty concentrating;
• tearfulness. In general, the release of emotions is not bad. The nervous system is unloaded, the person becomes better. However, tears for no reason are an alarming sign;
• emergence of suicidal thoughts. It can be observed after severe shocks. It is better, of course, to immediately consult a doctor at the first prerequisites for this;

It is important to be able to distinguish when a symptom is a real consequence of the stress experienced, and not just the action of progesterone. Analyze recent events in life and your state before and after a certain event. If you understand that a rash on your hands appeared after, for example, a quarrel with your husband, and the test results do not reveal any abnormalities, then this is most likely the body's reaction to the situation experienced.

Causes

The causes of stress can be different. Here the main role is played by the so-called psychological threshold, up to which a woman considers the course of any case to be the norm. The psychological state at the moment is also important. After all, even the most bad news in high spirits is perceived more easily.

However, the specificity of stress in pregnant women is such that, in addition to psychological reasons (quarrels with her husband, jealousy of an older child, fears due to financial situation), physiological ones also appear. Here is a list of the most typical reasons for waiting for a baby:

• fear of the upcoming birth. This is the most common of all fears. Due to the scarcity of knowledge in this area, as well as the stereotypes imposed, far from reality, this process seems to be the quintessence of pain and danger;
• fear of pregnancy and fears in connection with its course. This is what the vast majority of women face. Even with a planned pregnancy, it takes time to get used to the new role of a mother, to plan further actions. But nature foresaw everything well and allocated 9 whole months for preparation;
• physiological changes. The problem of figure and excess weight for a woman is always relevant. Fear of gaining extra pounds, losing attractiveness can unbalance even the most persistent. The rapid pace of change is also frightening. Remember that everything is reversible and temporary!
• family and domestic problems. Nobody is safe from them. Of course, the appearance of a new family member will force you to make some adjustments to your usual lifestyle. This is especially true if the parents are expecting their first child. But it may also be that the cause of severe stress will be a minor domestic conflict;
• problems at work. Unfortunately, up to 30 weeks, a pregnant woman is forced to work and, as a member of the team, participate in a complex system of internal relationships;
• concern for the baby. In the first trimester, many are afraid of a miscarriage, in the second they worry that the baby is moving a little in the tummy, in the third - that they will be born early. These are normal manifestations of maternal instinct;
• any unforeseen circumstances.

Possible consequences

Bad health of the mother is transmitted to the child

Pregnancy in women develops in stages. Each month of gestation is very important, as there is a gradual development of internal organs and skills (the ability to squeeze fingers into a fist, open eyes). Any intervention in these processes threatens with serious consequences. The table shows the possible complications associated with each trimester of expectation.

Effects of stress in early and late pregnancy (by trimester)

Can Stress Cause a Missed Pregnancy?

There is no reliable evidence that even severe stress is the cause of missed pregnancy. In general, this relationship is poorly understood. Among the main prerequisites for miscarriage, doctors distinguish genetic or gynecological diseases in the mother, autoimmune disorders. However, some scientists tend to believe that indirectly stress still provokes an unfavorable outcome of pregnancy.

For example, the famous British obstetrician Grantley Dick-Read, who changed the negative opinion of most fellow citizens about natural childbirth in the middle of the 20th century, wrote:

I believe there is something in the mother's blood that changes according to her mood. When the psychological and emotional state of the mother changes, the endocrine glands produce substances that enter the blood, which nourishes not only the mother, but also the child. Thus, the state of the child cannot remain the same. Today we know that when the emotional state of the mother changes, it is possible to register an increase or decrease in the fetal heartbeat, that is, it can be definitely stated that the development of the child also depends on the mood of the mother during pregnancy.

Ways to overcome

There is an opinion that the most effective way to deal with the effect of stress caused by negative factors is with the help of rest or maximum relaxation, that is, you need to distract yourself from the problem. Yuri Burlan, creator modern methodology study unconscious person, believes that this is not entirely true. In his opinion, this approach is not universal, and a person who has a strong psychological stress or diagnosed with depression, you can not do without professional psychological and medical assistance.

Solving problems and dealing with strong fears

• It is important to identify the specific cause of stress and try to cope with it.. The very solution of the problem in this case will bring satisfaction.
• If stress is generated by fears, then it is urgent to fill in the information gaps due to which fears arose. After all, the unknown is what scares me the most. Now there are many courses and trainings for pregnant women, where they simply and in detail explain what happens in the body during the process of gestation and childbirth. They will give advice on how to alleviate the condition. The waiting period for a child is natural for a woman, so it should not bring much discomfort.
• If there is chaos in your head and you lack certainty, then turning to special psychological techniques and spiritual practices can help. Understand yourself, find a foothold, sort out all the past and expected events “on the shelves”.

Proper nutrition

Firstly, a woman's mood can directly depend on the discomfort caused by toxicosis or heartburn. Both of these symptoms can be alleviated by adjusting your diet. Secondly, the widespread belief that during pregnancy you can afford everything you want is wrong. In addition, there is no reliable evidence of a connection between the desire for a certain product and the actual lack in the body of the microelement or substance contained in it. And to maintain the vital activity of a growing baby, it is necessary to eat an average of only 300-500 kcal per day more than the usual norm.

Diet calories by week of pregnancy

Until 15 weeks, you do not need to change your usual diet at all. From weeks 15 to 28, doctors recommend increasing food calories to 25-30 kcal per kilogram of body weight, and from weeks 28 to 30 - up to 35 kcal per 1 kg of body weight. Moreover, the nutritional value of food should not be regulated with the help of sweet or starchy foods.

Healthy lifestyle and positive attitude

• Yoga or light exercise. It is known that during exercise, the body produces a hormone that improves mood..
• Regular outdoor walks.
• Elimination of stress factors. No need to complicate things. If loud music bothers you, just turn it off.
• Communicate as much as possible with people who are sincerely disposed towards you, with those with whom it is easy and pleasant.

Help medicine

Abroad, there has long been a practice of turning to private psychoanalysts, who help to “work through” difficult life situations so that there is no understatement, especially in front of oneself. Russian people, due to their mentality, often perceive this as an excess, which, moreover, not everyone can afford. However, we also have all sorts of free hotlines. psychological help. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you really need it!

As a rule, doctors prescribe to pregnant women the use of herbal sedatives: tincture of valerian or motherwort, Persen, Novo-Passit. More serious drug treatment is used only in particularly difficult situations. Antidepressants are resorted to only when the harm from stress to the health of the mother is more devastating than the possible consequences for the unborn child.

Gallery "How to deal with stress"

Serious effects of stress are successfully treated with special drugs. Tell your doctor about your condition The less unresolved everyday problems, the less stress. Solve them together, do not take everything upon yourself Proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle life is a guarantee of good mood Yoga can help you find peace and self-confidence. You can get all the necessary knowledge at free courses for pregnant women, which are available in every antenatal clinic.

Stress prevention

Quite ordinary life circumstances can become stressful for a pregnant woman. And if it is not always possible to ignore them, then you should at least try to reduce the possible damage.

• Take a look at your surroundings. Perhaps there are people in it that it is better to refrain from communicating with, at least for a while.
• Write down in a column those things that spoil your mood the most. In the other column, instead, write down your ideas on how you can reduce the impact, and then try to follow this plan.
• Evaluate situations and people's actions calmly and rationally. A pregnant woman does not lose the ability to think and does not become incapacitated. Hormones play important role, but the mind does not turn off.
• Control your emotions. Do not exaggerate and do not "wind" too much.

Remember! For a whole 9 months, not only own life but also the fate of another person.

Video "Stress during pregnancy"

Most people understand that a woman is very vulnerable during childbearing. In a civilized society, there are certain traditions, for example, giving way to pregnant women in transport or letting them out of the queue. Nevertheless, stress factors are diverse and unavoidable. To overcome stress, a woman first of all herself must prioritize and soberly assess any critical situation.

Stress is a natural reaction of the body to a threat, any negative factors or events. This mechanism allows you to mobilize reserves at the right time to avoid danger. But, being in a state of stress for a long time, we expose the body to a constant additional load. This can negatively affect the physical and psychological state of a person in any situation, but during pregnancy it is especially dangerous, as it can affect, among other things, the development of the child.

Causes of stress during pregnancy

Despite the fact that every pregnant woman is told from the first days that it is impossible to be nervous in her position, it is not always possible to just take and stop experiencing stress. There can be many reasons for its occurrence, all of them are individual. Therefore, we dwell on those of them that occur most often:

1. Hormonal changes. The restructuring of a woman's body during pregnancy is associated with the production of a whole range of new hormones, which, in addition to their direct functions, can also cause unpredictable reactions: mood swings, increased irritability, depression, etc. The instability of the hormonal background in itself is a stress for the body, various psychological reactions only exacerbate the situation.
2. Fear and insecurity. It does not matter whether this is the first child for a woman or not, during pregnancy, few manage to remain absolutely calm and not be afraid of anything. Fears can be different, for example, fear of childbirth, fear for the health of the child, insecurity in a partner (especially if his reaction to the upcoming replenishment is not unambiguous). You can also add the fear of spoiling the figure and getting stretch marks, an unstable financial situation associated with going on maternity leave, and any other negative thoughts, the constant presence of which leads to unrelenting psychological stress.
3. Physical changes in the body. Pregnancy is a difficult period in a woman's life. An increased load on the body can lead to an exacerbation of various diseases, even if they were not previously diagnosed. It can be anemia, hypertension, diabetes, problems with the cardiovascular system or the gastrointestinal tract. But, even if the pregnancy proceeds without complications, in the early stages, almost half of the women suffer from toxicosis, and in the later stages - from heartburn, back pain and shortness of breath. In addition, a rapidly growing belly makes it difficult to move and significantly limits physical activity. All this can also lead to prolonged stress both on a physical and psychological level.
4. External factors. A pregnant woman, as a rule, does not live in isolation, she continues to go to work and communicate with other people. In such conditions, there is always a chance of conflicts and stressful situations, moreover, not all people have a positive outlook on life. Even if, before pregnancy, a woman effortlessly coped with such situations, in the new position, everything can change significantly.

In addition to the main causes, stress can be caused by any negative life situations: separation from a partner, death of a loved one, poor test results, etc.

How do you know if you're stressed during pregnancy?

Our lives are rarely stress-free, and one single episode can go unnoticed. But, when tension accumulates, sooner or later it will affect the physical and psycho-emotional state of a pregnant woman. Here are the main signs:

• insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day;
• decreased concentration, memory and performance;
• apathy and chronic fatigue;
• mood swings, irritability;
• depressive states, despair, feeling of hopelessness;
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• drops in blood pressure;
• obsessive thoughts, causeless anxiety;
• headaches and dizziness;
• itching and skin rashes.

In addition, prolonged exposure to stress can cause causeless pain, exacerbation of chronic diseases and allergic reactions.

Why is stress dangerous during pregnancy?

Stress leads not only to a deterioration in mood and a decrease in performance. If not dealt with, it can lead to much more serious consequences, cause serious damage to the mother's body and negatively affect the development of the child.

- danger to the child

Babies whose mothers suffered serious stress in early pregnancy can be born with serious malformations, since at this stage the basic systems of the body are laid down and any negative impacts can lead to irreparable changes. At a later date, stress is no less dangerous. Prolonged stress can lead to developmental delays, problems with the nervous and cardiovascular systems, diabetes and autism. Babies can be born prematurely, with a weakened immune system.

In addition, severe stress can cause premature birth, miscarriage or missed pregnancy, even if the mother’s body is otherwise in perfect order.

- danger to the mother

Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to the formation of full-fledged depression (including postpartum), which will be much more difficult to cure. In addition, stress affects the functioning of the nervous system, disrupting sleep, memory and brain function. Often there is a complication of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, blood pressure rises, immunity decreases.

All of the above is aggravated by a depressed or unstable psycho-emotional state.

How to deal with stress during pregnancy?

The advice “not to be nervous” can be dismissed immediately as absolutely useless, especially if you have already begun to be nervous. But this does not mean that the exit from stressful situation no. Here are a few tips, you don't have to use them all, a combination of just a few can help:

In most cases, realizing the presence of stress in time, you can avoid really serious consequences and deal with it yourself, without resorting to professional help or serious medications. The main thing is not to withdraw into yourself, not to be afraid to ask relatives and friends for help, and do everything possible to normalize your life and, if possible, exclude all negative factors from it.

Pregnancy is a special period, accompanied by a firework of emotions that are not always positive. Difficulties at work, problems in the family, bad tests ... This list of reasons for worrying every pregnant woman has her own. And only a few can boast of cold-blooded calmness and absolute "immunity" to stress. A strong nervous strain negatively affects not only the psycho-emotional state of a woman, but can also complicate the course of childbirth or affect the formation of the fetus. Let's figure out what are the causes of stress during pregnancy in order to take control of the situation in time, and why stress during pregnancy is dangerous for a woman and her crumbs.

When a woman says “I'm stressed!”, most likely, she is upset, scared, outraged by something. But this is not an accurate description of the term "stress" and is more characteristic of one variety of it - neuropsychic stress.

From a scientific point of view, stress is an emotional disturbance of a negative nature, which can be provoked by a variety of factors, such as hunger, cold, photophobia, or other phobias.

During pregnancy, short-term emotional stress is more common, which often resembles a storm. negative emotions. It rarely leads to systemic disorders during pregnancy and is manifested exclusively by a bad mood.

More dangerous is constant stress during pregnancy or distress. This condition occurs after prolonged nervous tension. Such "harmful" stress often disrupts the functioning of the whole organism, affecting hormonal background, immune function and well-being of a pregnant woman.

Stress develops gradually. The first phase consists in the activation of the female body in response to an overstrain of the nervous system. Then the second phase gradually sets in - active resistance to the situation that has arisen. If the stress drags on, the third phase begins - the global exhaustion of the female body with subsequent complications. As a result, a woman may develop an infectious disease, exacerbate a chronic pathology, and develop a nervous breakdown.

Stress during pregnancy - causes and features of development

In the gestational period, stress proceeds according to a certain scenario. It leads to stimulation of hormonal processes, which leads to pathological synthesis of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. This leads to the fact that in the body of a pregnant woman there is a destruction of glucose and a short-term jump in blood sugar. The body immediately reacts to this by synthesizing excess insulin, which utilizes sugar, which provokes unscheduled heat generation. Then, in order to "rest", the body reduces the production of insulin, which is often called transient functional type diabetes.

But this influence nervous stress during pregnancy, a woman's health does not end. In conditions of insulin deficiency, the synthesis of sugars from amino acids starts. But their reserve in a woman's body is limited, so the body begins to break down fats to get energy. The product of their decay is ketones, which cause general intoxication. As a result, the brain, muscle tissue, and heart suffer. Often this condition is accompanied by severe oxygen starvation.

Repeated repetition of such a stressful algorithm leads to a decrease in thyroid function, disruption of the nervous system and immunity. Such disorders can affect the development of the fetus, so ignoring the often recurring stress is unwise.

What can cause severe stress during pregnancy? First of all, stress is triggered as a result of acute excitement, the source of which can be:

• Fear for the baby. While he is quietly developing in the mother's tummy, the woman is unable to somehow influence his well-being, to find out if everything is in order. It is especially difficult for women who have experienced a miscarriage and the loss of a baby in the past.
• Fear of future motherhood. Mild anxiety at the thought of the upcoming meeting with the baby and his future upbringing in women often occurs. But sometimes this excitement develops into a real test for the female nervous system and it is not possible to avoid severe stress.
• Contact with the outside world. Endless tests and queues in medical facilities, nervous passengers on the subway, a rude saleswoman in a supermarket - this is just the tip of the iceberg of possible provocateurs of stress during pregnancy.
• Work misunderstandings. Teachings from a disgruntled boss and unfriendly colleagues are perfect conditions for chronic stress. And if we also take into account toxicosis, frequent delays due to the next examination by a gynecologist and the inability to concentrate on work, it becomes obvious that stress during pregnancy occurs very often at work.
• shock situations. Pregnancy does not exclude tragic turns in life. Anything can happen: divorce, dismissal, the death of relatives in an accident, an unscheduled move.
• Family environment. If the climate in the family is bad, conflicts often occur and misunderstanding is constantly present, there are uncomfortable living conditions, then emotional discomfort is guaranteed.

On a note! Excessive impressionability, suspiciousness and lack of support from loved ones only exacerbate the effect of stress on pregnancy.

How to understand that you have stress during pregnancy - symptoms

You can understand that a woman has stress by her emotional outburst. However, some women experience stress in silence and do not know it themselves.

The first signs of stress in a pregnant woman are considered to be:

• sleep disturbance (insomnia or vice versa, a constant desire to take a nap);
• obvious changes in appetite (refusal to eat or overeating);
• inability to work fully (fatigue, memory loss, lethargy);
• groundless fears or anxieties;
• signs of a depressive mood (apathy, a sense of hopelessness, detachment);
• panic attacks (fear of leaving the house, lack of air);
• deterioration of health (tachycardia, hypertension, dizziness, dyspepsia);
• obvious decrease in immunity.

Important! Such a complex of symptoms in a pregnant woman is a good reason to refer her to a psychologist.

How stress affects pregnancy

Minor physiological stress often occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pregnancy companions such as vomiting, headache, and weakness. This often makes a woman nervous and emotionally tense, but there is no negative effect on the fetus. In other cases, when stress is caused by external stimuli, and a woman experiences a deep emotional shock, the consequences for her and her baby can be deplorable.

Stress during pregnancy: consequences for the child

The first weeks of pregnancy are crucial, so the best thing that close and dear people can do is to protect the pregnant woman from stress. It can affect pregnancy and the baby in two ways:

• On the one hand, the first few weeks the baby is still microscopically small and is reliably protected from the effects of stress. Stress hormones do not enter the fetal egg even after its implantation, since the placenta does not yet function until the 10th week, and there are no ways for them to enter the baby's blood.
• On the other hand, the first trimester is the time of formation of the inclinations of organs. And the presence of stress during pregnancy in the early stages worsens the functioning of the hormonal system and metabolic processes in a woman. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict how this will affect embryonic development.

Interesting! American scientists who studied the nature of the development of autism made an interesting discovery. It turned out that women who carried a baby in conditions of constant stress, the risk of having an autistic baby is twice as high as women who do not experience this condition.

Stress during pregnancy in the second trimester for a woman is no longer as dangerous as in the first. But in relation to the baby, everything changes exactly the opposite. For him, this period is very responsible, because the development of the organs and systems laid down in the first trimester is in full swing, and any negative factors can disrupt this process. Of course, there will be no serious anomalies in the development of the baby, but the following violations may occur:

1. Hypoxia and complications after it. Under the influence of stress, uteroplacental blood flow is disturbed. If measures are not taken in time, the baby continues to develop in conditions of oxygen deficiency and important substances. As a result, the newborn may experience neurological disorders, it may be too low weight, poor Apgar scores.
2. The birth of a premature baby. Stress is like a catalyst for uterine hypertonicity. If a woman has experienced a strong shock before the 22nd gestational week, she may have a miscarriage, and if after this period, premature birth. A premature baby may lag behind in development or have neurological disorders in the future.

On a note! Babies, whose intrauterine development took place in a stressful environment, are prone to conflict provocations after birth and are often mentally unstable.

After the 28th gestational week, the stress of the mother on the physical development of the baby is not displayed. But the fetus is already able to empathize with the mother and is also experiencing a kind of stress. This condition often provokes such reparable disorders in the newborn as poor sleep, refusal to eat, frequent regurgitation, increased muscle tone.

Stress during pregnancy: consequences for women

If stress is not dangerous for a baby in the early stages, then for a woman it can be a serious cause for grief:

1. worsening toxicity. Even moderate stress can turn mild nausea into uncontrollable vomiting. Also there is drowsiness, dehydration, worsening blood counts. Often this leads to hospitalization.
2. Hormonal imbalance. Hormones are the first to respond to stress. Depending on the state of the female body, this can provoke an unsuccessful implantation of the embryo or improper fixation of the fetal egg in the uterus. Often, the fertilized cell, not attached to the endometrium, leaves the uterus along with menstrual blood.
3. Hypertension of the uterus. The connection between an increase in uterine tone and experiences has long been established. Therefore, stress often causes the development of a threat of miscarriage.
4. Freezing fetus. Very often, a missed pregnancy happens due to stress.

Advice! If you notice bloody discharge or abdominal pain after a nervous shock, contact your doctor immediately.

The second trimester of pregnancy is the most comfortable period for a woman. Toxicosis is already over, and the delights of the third trimester in the form of sluggishness have not yet arrived. Therefore, there are no external reasons for stress. Insofar as emotional condition in this period, the sublime, minor stimuli are unlikely to provoke strong feelings. But if something really serious happens, the stress will flow very actively.

On a note! For women, stress in this period is not dangerous, which cannot be said about the baby. So if you can't handle your nerves, ask your doctor to prescribe you some mild sedatives.

Stress in the third trimester of pregnancy is not dangerous for a baby, but a woman may experience one of the following complications:

1. premature delivery. The female body is designed in such a way that if sharp fluctuations in hormones begin at this time and the tone of the uterus increases, it may decide that it is time to give birth.
2. Weakness of labor activity. The natural birth process is complex and involves many mechanisms of the hormonal system. If a woman was under stressful conditions during pregnancy, the likelihood of insufficient labor activity increases. Often you have to resort to stimulation and even caesarean section.
3. Incorrect position of the baby. The tone of the uterus caused by stress does not allow the fetus to take the correct position before childbirth. In such a situation, the birth process takes place with complications, which increases the risk of birth injuries in the child. Sometimes natural childbirth becomes impossible.

How to deal with stress during pregnancy

If you realize that you have a lot of stress - calm down. Concentrate on the thought that the most important thing at the moment is not the problem that has arisen, but the health of your baby. Think about someone close to you who can help you pull yourself together and ask for help. If there is no one to rely on, contact a psychologist.

If you are able to curb your feelings on your own, you can use the tips:

1. Conquer your fears. If the cause of stress is fear for the baby, tell the doctor about it and, if necessary, undergo an additional examination. If the reason is something else, try to solve it in a similar way.
2. Find a hobby. A hobby will distract from bad thoughts and give a lot of positive.
3. Learn to pamper yourself. If you're craving something sweet, indulge in one of the most delicious desserts. If you want to ride a swing - do not stop, because a baby lives in you.
4. Release the fear of labor pain. Although women hide, absolutely everyone is afraid of this pain. You need to come to terms with this, do not wind yourself up and undermine the health of the baby with your stress.
5. Don't hide your pregnancy. Often, women in the early stages do not advertise their position, and silently endure the frequent reprimands of the boss for being late or poor performance. Tell him that you are pregnant and he will enter into your position. So at least one stress in the first trimester of pregnancy will be less.
6. Voice all your desires. Pregnancy is a time of whims and strange desires, so take advantage of this moment.

Take care of your pregnancy and don't let stress harm your beloved baby. Tune in to positive and get maximum pleasure, because pregnancy ends very quickly. And remember that the process of childbirth, the health of your baby, and future lactation depend on your calmness.

Video "Stress and nerves during pregnancy"

Everyone unanimously says that during pregnancy, women should not be nervous, worry, refuse their favorite food, experience various discomforts. But why? Why are nervous experiences, stress and depression so detrimental to the health and development of the fetus? Why is a pregnant woman literally carried in her arms and trying not to be disturbed by trifles? Do stressful situations really affect the child, or is it the tricks of pregnant girls? In this article, we will try to figure out how stress affects the body of a pregnant woman and child, why the expectant mother cannot find a place for herself, and what to do if the usual methods do not help to calm down.

How stress manifests itself during pregnancy

Very often, a woman does not even realize that she is in constant stress. Especially if the reasons associated with stress stretch from the time when the expectant mother was not yet pregnant. A woman's depression can be diagnosed by her mood. Very often, pregnancy (especially desired) brings inspiration, a sense of flight, and expectation of a miracle. If a woman constantly feels a broken state, she is depressed and apathetic, most likely, stress makes itself felt. Such a state is fueled by very real physical manifestations - a headache, a heartbeat quickens, blood pressure becomes unusually high, and appetite is lost. If a woman continues to work, stress affects her performance - the expectant mother stops doing her usual norm, breaks down on clients, loses the quality of her work. In relationships with loved ones, nervousness is felt, hands can shake, nights pass without sleep, anxiety is felt, a woman begins to get sick often. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, you need to take action as soon as possible, because stress during pregnancy is very dangerous.

Causes of stress during pregnancy

Various films present a huge number of stories with rabid pregnant women who cannot contain their anger. Is everything really that complicated, or did the director's productions just exaggerate everything? Let's try to figure out why a woman experiences stress during pregnancy, what reasons can contribute to this.

1. Hormones. Very often a woman worries about hormonal changes. As a rule, hormones during pregnancy (especially at the initial stage) simply rage, a woman becomes tearful, often nervous, her mood changes several times a day.
2. Job. Stressful situations in the expectant mother may be associated with work. If the work is stressful, you need to try to transfer to another department with less psychological stress before giving birth. Often, the expectant mother worries about work if it is unofficial, because in this case the woman does not have any social guarantees. She worries that her place may be taken and her career derailed due to a forced break from work that will take place in the near future. If there is no work, experiences do not become less, especially if the father of the child is not a guarantor of stability. It can be said that work activity is one of the most serious concerns for a pregnant woman.
3. Finance. Practical side The question also plays an important role during the expectation of the child. Even if a woman has a stable income, after receiving maternity money (which is usually quickly spent on the needs of a baby), a woman at best receives a childcare allowance, which is quite small. The expectant mother worries about how she will feed the child, whether her husband's salary will be enough for the whole family, how to pay off a loan, mortgage, etc. Of course, these issues should be resolved by a man, but not all women are lucky with the father of the child and situations can be completely different.
4. Housing. Very often, the housing issue is acute - if the family does not have its own apartment or it is small enough to increase the number of residents. The lack of finances for renting an apartment, the forced need to live with relatives, a small area, unfavorable living conditions - all this can cause stress for a woman, because she, like a true mistress and mother, tries to do everything to make the baby comfortable and comfortable.
5. Men. Sometimes the cause of concern may be the relationship with the father of the unborn child. It's no secret that pregnancy is not always planned and desired. If a woman is not married or believes that a man will leave her as soon as he finds out about the pregnancy, this becomes a serious cause for stress.

In addition, there can be any number of reasons for worries - a figure that will probably deteriorate, the relationship of the unborn child with older brothers and sisters, the opinions of others, worries about the health of the future crumbs. The imaginary brain of a pregnant woman is able to experience stress even from watching an emotional movie. But why is it so important to keep calm and psychological balance?

It is difficult to find a woman who would go through her entire pregnancy in harmony, peace and good spirits. All pregnant women experience in one way or another, this is normal. Any mother worries about the future baby. But what does excessive psychological stress lead to? How do nervous shocks affect the health and development of the fetus in the womb?

1. In early pregnancy, when the fetal egg is not firmly attached to the wall of the uterus, severe stress can cause a miscarriage.
2. In the first trimester, the experiences of the mother are especially strongly reflected in the health of the baby in the future, since it is at this time that the vital organs of the baby are laid and formed. Due to the experiences of the mother, the baby may have various pathologies in the development of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, gene mutations, anomalies in the development of the maxillofacial system.
3. With severe mother stress, children are born weak, often get sick, their immune system cannot withstand external negative factors.
4. Very often, the depressive state of the mother during pregnancy is reflected in the baby in the distant future. If after birth the baby seems healthy, then after 5-10 years he develops various psychological disorders, for example, schizophrenia. At a minimum, such children grow up closed, it is difficult for them to find new friends.
5. The very course of pregnancy during stress is aggravated by various complications. The placenta may begin to exfoliate ahead of time, polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios may occur. All this leads to hypoxia and even intrauterine death of the fetus.
6. Babies whose mothers constantly worry about something during pregnancy often suffer from enuresis and hyperactivity. These children are prone to autism.
7. Due to the mother's worries, the child in late pregnancy may be overly active, which leads to entanglement of the umbilical cord.
8. The stress of the mother in the later stages leads to premature birth, and, as a result, a premature and low birth weight baby.
9. Such children are more likely to suffer from various kinds of allergic reactions and asthma.

Stress is a serious test, especially for a pregnant woman. And this is important to understand, not only for herself, but also for the people around her. But what to do if the anxiety does not go away?

How to get rid of stress during pregnancy

First you need to try to get rid of the provoking factor. Sit down and try to have a heart to heart talk with yourself. What are you afraid of? What are you worried about? Believe me, you do not need such a man who abandoned you after the news of the pregnancy. You earn enough money to be enough for the first time, because the baby, in fact, needs very little, especially if he is breastfed. An apartment is a business, the main thing is that the baby is born healthy. All worries about finances, work, figures will seem like simple mouse fuss to you as soon as you see your baby's native eyes. Believe me, no worries are worth the health of your baby.

Share your fears with your loved ones, walk more, eat right, tune in to positive, watch good and kind films. Communicate with pregnant women - for the most part, they are sweet and carefree creatures. If you have an older child, dedicate everything to him. free time so that he doesn't feel left out later. Sleep more, exercise physical activity, hang out with nice people. Take a shower with aromatic oils, eat delicious meals, cook, listen to music, reread your favorite books. All this will give you a bunch of positive emotions that simply will not leave you time to worry. Believe me, the birth of life in your womb is already happiness.

Pregnancy is a time of excitement, worries and worries. However, anxiety is not always pleasant. Anything happens in life and often a woman is forced to experience serious emotional upheavals during pregnancy. Whatever the environment, you need to remember that there is nothing more important than a child in the womb. Try to stay calm and not worry about the little things. It's better to seem like a carefree fool than a hysterical vixen. Remember the child is the main motivation for your appeasement.

Video: stress during pregnancy