Severe stress in early pregnancy consequences. How to deal with stress during pregnancy? The difference between moderate and severe stress

Stress greatly depresses the human immune system. Being in a stressful state, a person most often suffers from infections, which is highly undesirable for pregnant women. Unfortunately , Stress during pregnancy is common. It all depends on the degree of oppression. If the stressful state is shallow and passes quickly, then nothing terrible will happen. On the contrary, such stresses, which are light in strength and duration of time, prepare the woman's body for childbirth and train the nervous system of the child even in the womb.

Another thing is when pregnancy proceeds in a state of distress, which is detrimental to both the pregnant woman and the child, because during gestation, the mother and fetus become a single organism and endure all external storms together. A long state of oppression exhausts the body, which is not easy anyway - because it has to take care of two people at once. Physically, the woman becomes lethargic during the day and cannot sleep at night. The same will happen with the child after his birth, if the mother does not quickly mobilize herself to cope with her condition.

Negative stress causes negative consequences - anxiety for no reason at all (does not sit still), sudden tachycardia, tremors not only of the limbs (feeling that even the chest is shaking like in a fever), dizziness, headaches, it seems that every a part of the body, especially sensitive people may develop a rash over the body. Toxicosis only intensifies, a woman grabs infection after infection, consequences are possible in the form of pathologies of newborns and diseases of the child in the future.

The central nervous system of the baby is especially affected. The nervous system of a child whose mother experienced stressful situations during pregnancy is very vulnerable. The child, already at a conscious age, experiences great difficulties in adapting to the world around him, suffers from a disorder of behavioral reactions (they say about such children that an awl in one place does not allow him to be calm). Needless to say, such children are characterized by increased nervousness and anxiety. They are more likely than their peers to be subject to various kinds of fears. The consequences of frequent and severe stress or one prolonged stress of the mother during pregnancy include asthmatic and allergic reactions of the child. Asthmatic, allergic markers in most cases were found in the cord blood of newborns whose mothers were under stress during pregnancy. If it were possible to reduce the level of stress experienced by pregnant women, a lot of children would not face neurological and psychological problems. Schizophrenia can threaten those children whose mothers experienced a shock in the first three months of pregnancy, since it is during this period of intrauterine development of the fetus that the nervous system is laid. The probability of developing schizophrenia reaches 70%. The conclusions of the researchers are unequivocal: “Based on our results, we can assume that external emotional factors can influence the processes of laying the nervous tissue at the stages of early fetal development.”

Each pregnant woman, with a certain amount of attention to the behavior of the child inside herself, could note that during her anxious state, the fetus increases its movements. The explanation is simple - with a reduction in oxygen delivery, which is caused by the alarming state of the mother, the child actively massages the placenta so that with its contraction a new portion of blood comes to him along with the necessary elements necessary for his full life.

Diabetes and enuresis can be attributed to the consequences that haunt a child if his mother was very nervous during pregnancy. And even autism is the cause of the state of severe negative stress experienced during pregnancy. By the way, when a mother is in a mental shock, her body is completely independently capable of “culling out” a weak male fetus. Under conditions of stress, a non-viable male fetus may well die. In fairness, it should be noted that this does not happen with girls. It was also noted that boys, if born into the world under stress, live longer than those who appeared into the world under more favorable circumstances.

The frequency of manifestations of "cleft lip" and "cleft palate", the so-called fetal malformations among pregnant women experiencing prolonged persistent stress, is doubled compared to pregnant women bearing a child in stress-free conditions. Very anxious mothers have an increased risk of having a premature baby with small weight. Children with a similar pathology may not survive at all. Yes, and survive, what kind of life awaits them? They had a deformation of the body and all its functions even in the prenatal state. The child is unlikely to be healthy.

The consequences of hormonal changes in the body of pregnant women

In addition to external factors that cause stress in pregnant women, there are internal ones. This is a daily, hourly restructuring of your body in connection with pregnancy. Already in the first month of an interesting position, nausea may begin to haunt you. In the second month of pregnancy, frequent urination, constipation, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, gases, lack of appetite, or vice versa, excessive voracity, fainting, dizziness may be added. All of these symptoms are possible all at once, but only a few may appear. Mood volatility, tears, resentment, irritability, some vague anxieties and fears may cling to the listed list. In the fourth month, vomiting and nausea leave the list, but bleeding gums, headaches for nothing, a runny nose, stuffy ears, and slight swelling in the legs will add - the weight increases.

By the fifth month, awareness of one's position begins, a feeling of euphoria comes. Increasingly less tormented by bouts of irritability. The sixth month will bring with it an additional feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, as the ligaments that support the abdomen begin to tighten. Instead of irritability, absent-mindedness will appear. In the eighth month comes the fatigue from the state of pregnancy. More and more often there are thoughts that everything is over as soon as possible. The ninth month will please with fears of childbirth.

All of the above also causes some stress in the mother's body, but the stress is of a completely different order. These are shallow experiences, unable to somehow negatively affect the health of the mother-child tandem. In addition, small negative emotions contribute to the appearance of the hormone cortisol in the human body. As they say, any medicine can become poison - it's all about the dosage. Cortisol, in principle, is necessary for a child for his normal development. But when the expectant mother is in a state of distress, there is too much cortisol in her, and therefore in the child's body. Doctors believe it is cortisol that is responsible for the pathologies of newborns.

How to relieve stress during pregnancy and improve your mood

So, what to do if emotions are overflowing, and you are already worried about their excessive amount? First of all, go to the doctor - let him convince you that this is not that protracted terrible stress, the consequences of which you need to worry about and take measures to get you out of this state (if, of course, this is true). When your doctor calms you down, take your own steps to bring you back to peace and reduce your fears. Do not deny yourself communication with positive people - laughter is contagious, you can also get a good mood from ordinary women's conversations. Work problems are easily resolved if you decide that the child is more important. Talk about it with your superiors without hurting anyone's ambitions. As a smart, wise woman, try to understand your husband, who himself is at a loss, how to treat you during this period. Look for solutions that suit both of you. If the thought of childbirth scares you, take special courses. As the saying goes, "one must know the enemy by sight" and "forewarned means forearmed." So arm yourself with knowledge to be less afraid.

Even simpler things can cheer you up and add hormones of joy to your body during this difficult period:

Allow yourself to be lazy, rest as often as possible, sleep as much as you want.

Adjust nutrition so as not to lose teeth during pregnancy. Don't forget about vitamins. Listen to the doctor. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

Take relaxing aromatherapy baths more often.

Talk a lot with anyone - this way accumulated emotions splash out.

Read only positive literature with good news. Women's novels are perfect for these purposes - there is always, as in a good fairy tale, a happy ending.

Simple exercise can increase the amount of oxygen in your body and drive away irritation.

Remember, you have a serious mission - to bring a person into the world. And it is in your power to ensure that this person is born healthy.

Source - http://crazymama.ru

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. Moreover, in the 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.

The reasons

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, the creator of the modern methodology for studying the unconscious person, believes that this is not entirely true. In his opinion, this approach is not universal, and a person who has severe psychological stress or is diagnosed with depression cannot 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 psychological help hotlines. 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 a healthy lifestyle are the key to a 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 an important role, but the mind is not turned off.
• Control your emotions. Do not exaggerate and do not "wind" too much.

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

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 the body's reaction to negative life factors. Usually, it does not harm a person, but helps to adapt, but only if it does not last long. Stress during pregnancy is considered very dangerous, and especially at an early stage of gestation.

Stress during pregnancy - how to calm down and not be nervous

An increase in the load on the psyche that a pregnant woman is exposed to can lead to health problems for both the expectant mother and the child. Therefore, a pregnant woman should protect herself from stress, and when its first symptoms appear, they should be quickly recognized and eliminated.

Symptoms of stress in pregnancy

Everyone is exposed to stress on a daily basis. He gets used to this state and does not try to prevent nervous shocks and their consequences. It is possible to determine that a pregnant woman has stress for several reasons:

• there is fatigue and loss of strength;
• performance decreases;
• poor sleep, trouble falling asleep;
• pain in the heart, rapid pulse;
• no desire to eat;
• frequent headaches and dizziness;
• increase in pressure;
• deterioration of immunity, the appearance of a cold, which lasts long enough.

Headache is a symptom of stress during pregnancy

Many people react to stress atypically. Tension can be manifested by discomfort in the stomach and intestines, a rash on the skin, and difficulty breathing.

Causes of stress in pregnancy

Stress during pregnancy appears for various reasons. It all depends on the lifestyle and the problems that may appear during the gestation period. In pregnancy, stress can manifest itself in different ways. For some, some problem may be mundane and will not create negative emotions, while for others, the slightest trouble will become a source of a nervous breakdown. Often during pregnancy in the second trimester, nervous tension appears even due to bad weather, because women are especially sensitive during this period.

Often, stress can be associated with a woman's changed state during pregnancy.

1. Physiological changes. A sharp increase in weight, the appearance of stretch marks, the fear of losing their former beauty can bring a pregnant woman to a stressful state. Every woman should know that this is temporary, soon everything will fall into place.
2. Fear of childbirth. Women often hear that during childbirth, difficulties often arise that lead to undesirable consequences. In addition, the process itself is very painful. Such information causes severe stress and spoils the mood for all 9 months.
3. Feelings for the future child. Will the pregnancy go well? What will the baby be like? How to raise him to be a good person? All these thoughts cause stress, but you need to get rid of it. Experiences can provoke a miscarriage, illness in the baby, or disturbances in its development.
4. Family troubles. Pregnancy can cause a chill in a relationship. It always seems to a woman that her husband does not hear her and does not pay due attention. To this problem are added worries about the baby, the future life, which will change significantly.
5. Money matters. With the advent of the child, the expenses in the family will increase significantly. You need to be ready for this.
6. Problems at work during pregnancy. Almost all women work until the 30th week and only then go on maternity leave. General work stress, a growing belly, because of which it becomes difficult for a woman to do something, lead to nervous tension.

stress during pregnancy - quarrel with husband

In addition to the foreseen reasons, unplanned ones may also appear. The death of a relative, a quarrel with a husband or breakup, an accident, and much more can cause severe stress in the second trimester of pregnancy, the consequences of which are unlikely to be pleasant.

Danger at all stages of pregnancy

Why is stress dangerous during pregnancy? During the nerves, special hormones are produced, which can lead to placental disorders, pathologies and abnormal development of the fetus. It largely depends on the duration of pregnancy.

Shocks in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially at 12 weeks, are undesirable. At this stage, the structure of the fetal organs, organ systems occurs, so experiences should be avoided. This condition can cause spontaneous abortion or congenital diseases of the child. If the formation of the placenta is disturbed, the fetus may die in the first weeks.

During stress, the embryo disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system

If a girl suffers stress in the second and third trimester, the child may be born with autism spectrum diseases. In late pregnancy, entanglement with the umbilical cord is dangerous due to the active life of the child due to the stress of the mother.

The danger during pregnancy at the 35th and 36th week of pregnancy with shocks also exists for the woman herself. She may develop preeclampsia and develop diabetes. Stress can also affect pregnancy in the form of difficulties during childbirth. A woman will give birth too long, or, conversely, give birth ahead of time, without bringing the baby.

How to prevent dangers?

To avoid complications from severe stress during pregnancy, you need to get away from problems. For example, stop paying attention to outsiders and not talking to those people who provoke conflict. If you can’t remove the possible reasons, you need to try to change your attitude to the situation.

A woman can make a list of factors that disturb her emotional state. Nearby you need to write possible ideas: how to fix the problem, put the nervous system in order. You need to control your emotions.

You can increase your resilience by doing the following:

• walk more in the fresh air;
• sleep well;
• eat right, eat more vegetables and fruits;
• do yoga and swimming;
• talk heart to heart with friends;
• rest more.

To relieve stress, you need to walk more in the fresh air

Many women are well relieved by aromatherapy or meditation. Any such event is important for the body, the main thing is to perform the procedure in a good mood.

It is worth remembering that at the 9th month of pregnancy and during all stages of gestation, a woman must take care of herself and the child.

How to behave?

Doctors warn about the harmful effects of stress on pregnancy. You need to know how to deal with it. Special methods will help relieve nervous tension.

1. Take small breaths in and out at the moment of shock. Gather and give yourself completely to breathing, stroke your stomach, do a massage.
2. Turn on the music and relax. For this, calm melodies are suitable.
3. Take a warm shower, light scented candles.

It will be easier to endure a terrible event if you tell someone about it, speak out. Mom, husband or good friend. Go for a massage, read nice books, watch comedy movies.

Turn on the music and relax

During times of constant stress, sleep more (at least 9 hours). If you can’t fall asleep quickly, you can take mild sedatives, for example, valerian. Check with your doctor for instructions.

If these methods do not help, go to experienced professionals. In difficult life situations, a psychologist helps a lot.

Result of stress during pregnancy

Short-term stress contributes to the recovery of the body due to the production of hormones. However, sudden mood swings cause severe damage to the nervous and immune systems. The number of lymphocytes, which are responsible for fighting diseases and infections, is significantly reduced, so the likelihood of long and severe colds increases. Chronic diseases can worsen and even cancer cells can form.

High psycho-emotional stress is dangerous. Weakness, poor sleep, headache and the onset of a cold are symptoms of overexertion. Such stress can negatively affect the fetus and cause possible developmental abnormalities.

Conclusion

Stress has a negative effect on the woman and the fetus. The expectant mother must understand that she is now responsible not only for her life, but also for the life of her child. She should try her best to control her emotions and not give in to stressful situations. Thus, she will protect both her health and the baby.

Stress is the body's reaction to the impact of various adverse factors (physical or psychological). Being short-term, it does not pose a threat and helps to adapt to circumstances, but if this state is delayed, negative consequences inevitably occur. Stress is especially dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy, as well as throughout the rest of the period of bearing a child.

Increased psycho-emotional stress to which the expectant mother is exposed can cause many complications related to the health of the woman and the fetus. Therefore, all pregnant women should learn to protect themselves from stress, recognize its signs in time and take the necessary measures.

Most people get into stressful situations on a daily basis. As a result, one gets used to this state of affairs and the person stops paying attention to it.

You can understand that the situation has become critical by a number of symptoms indicating constant stress:

• apathy, lethargy;
• decrease in working capacity;
• difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep;
• attacks of tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• lack of appetite;
• dizziness, tremor of the limbs;
• increased blood pressure;
• decreased immunity (frequent and prolonged colds).

Some people react to stress differently. For example, there are sudden headaches, causeless discomfort in the abdomen, skin itching, a feeling of lack of air.

The reasons

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

Sometimes a stressful situation arises even due to weather conditions (intense heat, cold, rain). The reason can also be a change of residence, a change in the regime of the day, hunger, excessive physical activity.

Often, stress is associated with the state of pregnancy itself. The most common concerns for expectant mothers include:

1. Physiological changes. Weight gain, the appearance of stretch marks, the fear of spoiling the figure and losing attractiveness can put many people into a state of stress. It is important to remember that it is temporary and reversible.
2. Childbirth fear. The process of giving birth to a child is shrouded in many myths and conjectures, in which it is the quintessence of danger and pain. Of course, this does not contribute to the positive mood of the expectant mother.
3. Anxiety about a child. While waiting for the baby, especially if the pregnancy is complicated, the woman worries about him, fearing a miscarriage, premature birth, possible congenital pathologies and abnormalities in the development of the fetus. All this can lead to prolonged stress.
4. Family problems. During pregnancy, sometimes there is a cooling between the spouses. It may seem to a woman that her husband does not understand her and does not fully support her. Added to this are the experiences associated with the imminent change in the way of life. Such problems are more typical for couples expecting their first child.
5. Financial difficulties. If the family has a small income, the costs associated with the upcoming replenishment can overshadow the joy of future parents.
6. Conflicts and difficulties at work. Since most women are forced to work until the 30th week of pregnancy, solving work tasks and communicating with the team can be a burden on the expectant mother. After all, with the growth of the abdomen, it is 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 relations with a spouse, an accident or an accident can cause severe stress during pregnancy, which has sad consequences.

Danger

It was found that in response to stress in the human body, special hormones are produced - glucocorticoids. The result of a frequent increase in their concentration in the blood of a pregnant woman can be pathologies of the placenta and a violation of the development of the child.

The likelihood of these and other negative consequences is not one hundred percent. In many ways, the danger of stress experienced by a woman for the fetus depends on the gestational age.

In the early stages

In the first trimester of pregnancy, when the baby's organs and nervous system are laid down, strong feelings are especially undesirable. This can lead to miscarriage or the formation of maxillofacial anomalies of the fetus (cleft soft and hard palate).

Also, as a result of the stress experienced by the expectant mother, the child increases the risk of developing schizophrenia in the future, and the immune system suffers. Possible disruption of the functioning of the placenta, lagging intrauterine development of the fetus due to hypoxia.

At a later date

If a woman experiences stress in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the child has a tendency to, hyperactivity,. In the later stages, sometimes there is a multiple entanglement of the fetus with the umbilical cord, due to its active movements during the psycho-emotional stress of the mother.

Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing diabetes. Against the background of constant stress, complicated prolonged labor or premature birth of a child is possible.

How to avoid?

To maintain their health and protect the baby, the expectant mother should try to avoid stressful situations. For example, stop communicating with unpleasant people who provoke conflicts. If it is impossible to eliminate stressors, you need to try to change your attitude to the situation.

Make a list of the reasons that cause psycho-emotional stress, write down ideas for how you can reduce their influence next to it, and follow this plan. When you get into an unpleasant situation, do not forget about self-control and do not exaggerate the importance of what is happening.

Also to increase stress resistance will help:

• walks in the open air;
• full sleep;
• a balanced diet that includes many vegetables and fruits;
• light physical activity, if there are no contraindications (, swimming, yoga for pregnant women);
• communication with friends and pleasant people;
• making time for hobbies or extra rest.

Some pregnant women find aromatherapy and meditation to help them relax. Whatever you do, a positive attitude is important. Remember that within 9 months you are responsible not only for yourself and it is in your power to create comfortable conditions for the baby to develop.

What to do with stress?

According to experts, the worst thing you can do is to keep negative emotions in yourself. Therefore, if it was not possible to avoid stress, you need to learn how to deal with it correctly.

You can relieve stress in the following ways:

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

It will be easier to survive an unpleasant situation if you speak out, discussing it with a loved one - husband, mother, girlfriend. 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.

An important role in the fight against chronic stress is given to sleep - pregnant women need to sleep at least 9 hours a day. If it is difficult to fall asleep due to nervous strain, you may need to take light herbal sedatives, such as tincture or. The dosage and duration of their intake 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 impossible to find support among relatives, working out the problem with a psychologist gives good results.

Effects

Stress allows you to mobilize the forces of the body 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, the level of blood pressure rises, and sweating occurs. But after a period of resistance to negative influences, the stage of exhaustion begins.

Such overloads strike at 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 stress, these changes become permanent. Against their background, exacerbation of chronic diseases and even the development of oncological processes are possible.

Increased psycho-emotional stress is undesirable for any person, but a pregnant body is especially susceptible to its influence. Loss of strength, seizures, 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 should be aware of her responsibility for the life of the 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.

Useful video: how to deal with stress during pregnancy

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Pregnancy is a time of change. The body of a woman, her emotions, the life of the whole family are changing. These changes can be joyful, or they can add stress to life. Everyone experiences excitement during pregnancy, but too much stress can cause inconvenience:

• provoke sleep disturbances;
• cause headache;
• cause loss of appetite or overeating.

Chronic stress can lead to health problems, high blood pressure and heart disease. In pregnant women, a life of stress increases the chances of having a premature baby (delivery before 37 weeks), a baby with low birth weight. Prematurity and low birth weight are common causes of poor health in children.

The reasons are different for every woman, but there are some common factors:

• many are nervous due to physical discomfort - nausea, constipation, fatigue, backache in the later stages;
• disturbing thoughts about the upcoming birth and child care;
• working women think about the upcoming maternity leave and talk about it with the employer.

Hormonal changes in the early stages provoke mood swings, so stress is more difficult to cope with.

How stress can hurt

Not all stress can lead to problems during pregnancy. The usual dissatisfaction experienced in a traffic jam will not complicate the state of health. However, severe stress can lead to preterm delivery.

Most pregnant women who have experienced a major shock have healthy children. But you should be careful under such circumstances:

• serious illness or death of relatives;
• loss of a job or home;
• catastrophes like an earthquake, hurricane or terrorist attack.

Prolonged stress is usually associated with financial problems, poor health, significant changes in everyday life. This is a medical condition where a strong feeling of sadness lasts for a long period and interferes with a normal life.

Pregnancy is a cause for nervous tension. For some women, pregnancy itself is a major stressor. They are worried about the possibility of a miscarriage, the health of the unborn child, how they will cope with childbirth and parental responsibilities. Those who suffer from such fears should tell their doctor about the disease.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This type of disorder occurs in those who have experienced a terrible event - rape, natural disaster, terrorist attack, death of a loved one. People with PTSD experience:

• severe anxiety;
• memories of events;
• nightmares.

Physical manifestations: palpitations, sweating from memory.

Statistics show the presence of post-traumatic disorder in 8% of pregnant women. They are more likely to have a miscarriage, premature birth, and have a low birth weight baby. In addition, they are more likely to resort to health-threatening behavior: smoking, alcohol abuse, drugs.

How Stress Causes Pregnancy Problems

Bringing a new person into the world is not an easy task. You can worry about everything: is the diet healthy enough, is the environment safe, how to combine parenthood with work. Therefore, stress for pregnant women is the same norm as at any other stage. But if it is chronic, it can affect negatively. As you know, the fight or flight regime - the consequences of stress - is the release of cortisol and other hormones. They mobilize the body, prepare the muscles and heart for physical effort.

If the situation has been dealt with, the tension will recede and the body will regain its former balance. And chronic stress can cause inflammation, premature birth. A woman should not feel guilty about stress, but should try to control her emotions. The mechanism of the influence of stress on the course of pregnancy is not yet fully understood. But some stress-related hormones can make you feel worse. Chronic anxiety weakens the defense system, which can lead to infection of the uterus and premature birth. Under the influence of stress, women cannot cope with various difficult situations, some resort to smoking and alcohol.

Can high levels of stress during pregnancy harm the baby later on?

Many are interested in whether stress can harm a child. Some studies show that high levels during pregnancy can cause problems for the newborn and growing child, affect his sociability and fears, brain development and immune system.

At each stage of development, the organism analyzes environmental signals in order to optimize genetic parameters. Mother's stress is an irritant to which the child reacts, tries to adapt to it. When a mother's levels of stress hormones rise, the baby may be susceptible to a number of stress-related pathologies after birth.

Preterm birth and low weight are recognized consequences of stress, established over many years of animal and human studies. Recent research suggests that children who experience stress in the womb are at risk for chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The most recent results suggest the effect of prolonged stress experienced by the mother on the child's temperament and neurobehavioral development. Babies whose mothers experienced high levels of stress, especially early in pregnancy, showed signs of depression and irritability.

Doctors say that the baby bathes in all the substances produced by the mother's body, so the level of anxiety and stress affects the temperament of children. If the woman's nervous system stimulates the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine, the blood vessels that feed the fetus narrow, limiting the access of oxygen to the uterus. And the placenta increases the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which regulates the duration of pregnancy and fetal maturation.

CRH is one of the most interesting recent scientific discoveries, called the "placental clock". Its high level from 16 to 20 weeks may portend preterm labor. It turns out that stressful events occurring in the first trimester of pregnancy are crucial. It used to be thought the other way around: women are the most vulnerable when approaching their due date. Modern data show that in the later stages of women become psychologically stronger.

Doctors emphasize the link between stress and problem pregnancy. They also say that different women deal with stress differently and do not want to add guilt to someone who is already stressed.

Those most at risk are not those who have experienced a tragic event during pregnancy, but generally anxious people whose stress lasts for weeks and months.

How to reduce stress during pregnancy

Here are some ways to deal with stress:

• find out the cause of anxiety, talk about the disease with a partner, the attending physician; having thought everything over, it is easier for a woman to assess her strength and accept the upcoming tasks;
• realize that the discomfort associated with pregnancy is temporary;
• monitor health and appearance - eat healthy food, sleep enough and move;
• perform a simple set of exercises, take walks;
• temporarily abandon tiring activities;
• enlist the support of family, friends, relatives;
• accepting help when offered (for example, cleaning the house or organizing leisure activities);
• relaxation, yoga, meditation;
• visiting the school of expectant mothers.

Music and singing help control cortisol levels. Relaxation will help a warm bath, herbal tea, reading. Stress is initially an asymptomatic disease. Pregnant women should be able to recognize that they are experiencing nervous tension, to do simple things to relieve stress.

Optimism, a sense of humor and self-esteem, control over one's own life help to cope with fear. Medicine today is increasingly focused on controlling not only the test results and pressure of the expectant mother, but also awareness of her lifestyle, mood and home atmosphere in order to reduce the number of premature births and complicated pregnancies.