What does the stress of pregnancy lead to? How stress affects pregnancy - dangers and consequences. Severe stress during pregnancy

The pregnancy period has many physiological and psychological nuances. Doctors play it safe, prescribe a lot of tests to prevent any harmful changes in the condition of the mother and child, prescribe rest and advise to be careful. But, like any person, a pregnant woman may feel stressed under the influence of various life circumstances. 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 using medical terms. Moreover, in modern world, oversaturated with available information, this is sometimes done with complete confidence in the correspondence of the chosen word with the current state of affairs.

But you can’t diagnose yourself on your own. In addition, when juggling concepts, we often give them inaccurate meaning or even interpret them in our own way. This creates differences in understanding between professionals with relevant knowledge in this area and ordinary people.

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

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

There are several types of stress.

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

From the classification it is clear that the differences between the ordinary and medical understanding of stress lie in the following:

• non-specialists often call stress the usual nervous excitement or emotional agitation, which are inherent in emotional people prone to mood swings and outbursts;
• on the other hand, most do not recognize stress from positive emotions, believing that only negative experiences have a detrimental effect on a person. But if you are so happy about an unexpected gift that you cannot hold back a cry of joy or tears, then from a medical point of view you are experiencing eustress;
• people believe that stress is always caused by objective life circumstances. But that's not true. After all different people treat the same case differently. For some, buying a home is very stressful, but for others it is a welcome event, comparable to pleasant chores. The body’s emotional reaction is born as a result of analyzing its own thoughts and assessments.

Symptoms and signs

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

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 pressure changes, 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 discomfort when the stomach presses on the internal organs;
• rash, redness, itching and severe peeling of the skin. As a rule, in such situations, test results do not show the presence of any abnormalities;
• difficulty breathing. They are easier to identify in the early stages, since the child is not yet putting 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 baby’s behavior in the tummy: he stops moving or, conversely, shows strong activity;
• lack of appetite or, conversely, strong cravings for food. Often a pregnant woman gains a lot of weight, which also affects the birth process. A properly selected diet is very important;
• frequent exacerbations of ARVI. Observed due to a weakened immune system.

Behavioral signs

• depression. It is very difficult to recognize and diagnose. Here again there is a lot of confusion with concepts. It wouldn’t hurt to go to a psychologist if you feel like you’ve reached a dead end. They will listen to you and help you find a way out of your difficult situation;
• irritability. Mild irritability is inherent in all pregnant women, but systematic outbursts are not the norm, no matter what stage of pregnancy you are at;
• difficulty concentrating;
• tearfulness. In general, releasing emotions is not a bad thing. The nervous system is unloaded, the person becomes better. However, tears for no reason are a warning sign;
• the appearance of thoughts of suicide. Can be observed after severe shocks. It is better, of course, to immediately consult a doctor at the first sign of this;

It is important to be able to distinguish when a symptom is a real consequence of the stress suffered, and not just the effect of progesterone. Analyze latest events in life and your condition before and after a certain incident. 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 main role plays the so-called psychological threshold, up to which a woman considers the course of any case to be normal. The psychological state at the moment is also important. After all, even the most bad news is perceived more easily in an upbeat mood.

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

• fear of upcoming birth. This is the most common of all fears. Due to the paucity of knowledge in this area, as well as imposed stereotypes that are far from reality this process seems to be the quintessence of pain and danger;
• fear of pregnancy and fears in connection with its course. The vast majority of women face this. Even with a planned pregnancy, it takes time to get used to the new role of a mother and plan further actions. But nature foresaw everything well and allocated 9 whole months for preparation;
• physiological changes. The problem of figure and excess weight is always relevant for women. The fear of gaining extra pounds and losing attractiveness can unsettle even the most persistent. The rapid pace of change is also frightening. Remember that everything is reversible and temporary!
• family and household problems. No one is safe from them. It’s clear that the arrival of a new family member will force you to make some adjustments to your usual lifestyle. This is especially true if parents are expecting their first child. But it may also be that the cause of severe stress is a minor domestic conflict;
• problems at work. Unfortunately, until 30 weeks a pregnant woman is forced to work and, as a member of the team, participate in complex system internal relationships;
• worry about the baby. In the first trimester, many are afraid of miscarriage, in the second they worry that the baby is not moving much in the tummy, in the third - that it will be born early. These are normal manifestations of maternal instinct;
• any unforeseen circumstances.

Possible consequences

Poor health of the mother is transmitted to the child

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

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

Period	Private consequences	General consequences
1st trimester	Miscarriage. Development of schizophrenia in a child. Weakening of the immune system. Frequent ARVI. The appearance of such anomalies as a result of improper development of the embryo at 8–9 weeks, such as “cleft lip” and “cleft palate”.	Intrauterine fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen). It can cause both developmental disorders and suffocation (asphyxia). Violation of uteroplacental blood flow. Consequences: hypertension, threat of miscarriage, severe form of gestosis (in the mother), immediate delivery by cesarean section (2–3 degrees). Intrauterine developmental delay. Increased toxicosis, which can lead to early release of water or leakage.
2nd trimester	Development of congenital autism. Children may also adapt less well in society and may not want to communicate with peers. Increased blood sugar, which may result in diabetes and postpartum hemorrhage; birth of a large child (over 4 kg).
3rd trimester	The normal pregnancy cycle is disrupted. Early labor is often provoked (up to 36 weeks), but post-term labor is also possible (42 weeks or more). Prolonged difficult labor, which may lead to emergency delivery by caesarean section. There is a risk of developmental abnormalities nervous system baby. A delay in psycho-emotional development may occur: the child will begin to speak later than his peers, and it will be difficult for him to concentrate. It is not uncommon for the baby to become entangled in the umbilical cord.

Can stress cause a missed pregnancy?

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

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

I believe there is something in a mother's blood that changes depending on 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 child's condition cannot remain the same. Today we know that when the mother’s emotional state changes, we can register an increase or decrease in the fetal heartbeat, that is, we can definitely say that the development of the child also depends on the mother’s mood during pregnancy.

Ways to overcome

There is an opinion that the most effective way to combat stress caused by negative factors is through rest or maximum relaxation, that is, you need to take your mind off the problem. Yuri Burlan, creator modern techniques studying the unconscious person, believes that this is not entirely true. In his opinion, this approach is not universal, and a person who experiences severe psychological stress or is diagnosed with depression cannot do without professional psychological and medical help.

Solving problems and dealing with strong fears

• It is important to identify the specific cause of stress and try to cope with it.. The solution to the problem itself in this case will bring satisfaction.
• If stress is caused by fears, then it is urgent to fill the information gaps that caused the fears. After all, the biggest fear is the unknown. Now there are many courses and trainings for pregnant women, where they will explain in simple and detailed terms what happens in the body during pregnancy and childbirth. They will give advice on how to alleviate the condition. The period of waiting for a child is natural for a woman, so it should not bring severe discomfort.
• If there is chaos in your head and you lack certainty, then turning to special psychological techniques and spiritual practices. Understand yourself, find a foothold, put all 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 common 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 trace element or substance it contains. And to maintain the vital functions of a growing baby, you need to eat on average only 300–500 kcal per day more than usual.

Calorie intake by week of pregnancy

There is no need to change your usual diet until the 15th week. From 15 to 28 weeks, doctors recommend increasing the caloric intake of food to 25–30 kcal per kilogram of body weight, and from 28 to 30 weeks - up to 35 kcal per 1 kg of body weight. Moreover, the nutritional value of food should not be regulated by sweets or starchy foods.

Healthy lifestyle and positive attitude

• Yoga or light exercise. It is known that during physical activity the body produces a hormone that improves mood..
• Regular walks in the fresh air.
• Elimination of stress factors. There's 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.

Medical help

Abroad, there has long been a practice of turning to private psychoanalysts to help “work through” difficult life situations, so that there are no unsaid things, 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 kinds of free hotlines psychological assistance. Don't be shy about asking for help when you really need it!

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

Gallery “How to deal with stress”

Serious effects of stress can be successfully treated with special medications You need to tell your doctor about your condition. The fewer unresolved everyday problems, the less stress. Solve them together, don’t take everything upon yourself Proper nutrition and healthy image life is the key to a good mood Yoga will 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 it is worth trying to at least reduce the possible damage.

• Take a closer look at your surroundings. Perhaps there are people in it with whom it is better to abstain, at least for a while.
• Write down in a column those things that spoil your mood the most.. In the other column, on the contrary, write down your ideas on how you can reduce the harmful effects, and in the future try to follow this plan.
• Evaluate situations and people's actions calmly and rationally. A pregnant woman does not lose her ability to think or become incapacitated. Hormones play an important role, but the mind does not turn off.
• Control your emotions. Don't exaggerate and don't overindulge.

Remember! For 9 whole 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 while carrying a child. In a civilized society, there are certain traditions, for example, giving up a seat to pregnant women on transport or letting them skip the queue. However, stress factors are varied and cannot be avoided. To overcome stress, a woman must first set priorities and soberly assess any critical situation.

Stress can cause irreparable harm to mother and child, but it cannot be avoided. There are many ways to calm your pregnancy nerves.

No stress - important condition successful pregnancy

The easiest way to relieve nervous tension is to take sedatives. It is much more difficult to rebuild your worldview, to learn perseverance and calmness. A positive attitude will help not only to safely bear a child, but also to cope with the role of a mother in the future.

The dangers of stress for a pregnant woman

The body of a pregnant woman is vulnerable to external influences. This is due to hormonal changes and suppression of defense mechanisms.

Pregnant women in the early stages overreact to ordinary everyday troubles. They are frightened by new sensations, they are afraid for the child’s health. Many women have a fear of childbirth.

When stressed, the concentration of glucocorticoid hormones in the blood increases; this is a necessary protective mechanism. If stress is prolonged, the activity of hormones is steadily increased. Why is it dangerous for pregnant women:

1. The synthesis of proteins in growing and dividing fetal cells is inhibited.
2. The load on the liver increases. It activates the synthesis of glucose and glycogen. The liver does not fully cope with filtration, fatigue, pallor or yellowness of the skin are observed, and the symptoms of toxicosis intensify.
3. The excretion of potassium and calcium in the urine increases. The child does not receive enough elements necessary for his healthy development.
4. The activity of immune cells is inhibited. A pregnant woman's body becomes even more vulnerable to infections.

The likelihood of premature birth during a calm pregnancy is significantly reduced. If a woman has been regularly exposed to stress, the child may in the future experience an increased sense of fear, anxiety, hyperactivity, and mental retardation.

Sedatives

You can combat stress during pregnancy with the help of certain medications. Plant-based sedatives help relieve nervous tension without harm to health.

What sedatives can pregnant women take:

• valerian (tablets);
• motherwort (tablets);
• "Novo-passit" (for one-time use);
• "Persen."

The remedies help you quickly calm down after experiencing a shock. If you suffer from insomnia, there is a feeling of anxiety, or there is a sudden change in mood, you need to consult a specialist. Taking medications on your own, especially in early pregnancy, is not recommended.

Extracts of valerian, motherwort, passionflower, and mint are safe for pregnant women.

The preparation "Novo-Passit" contains St. John's wort and hops. The first caused miscarriages or the birth of weak offspring in experimental animals, and the second affects hormonal levels, so you should not take sedatives regularly during pregnancy.

Motherwort and valerian are allowed to be taken only in tablet form. Alcohol tinctures are contraindicated during pregnancy. Tranquilizers and barbiturates are strictly prohibited: they have a teratogenic effect on the fetus.

The drug "Novo-Passit" contains St. John's wort and hops

Phytotherapy

You can calm your nerves during pregnancy with the help of herbs. The main thing is to choose the right plants.

Treatment of increased nervous excitability can be carried out using recipes:

1. Mix one tablespoon of hawthorn fruit, oregano herb and motherwort. Pour the mixture into a glass hot water, leave in a water bath for 15–20 minutes, strain after cooling. Drink the infusion twice a day, a few sips.
2. In a teapot, mix a teaspoon of green tea, 10 chamomile flowers, 5 mint leaves and lemon balm. Pour boiling water over the mixture and leave for 15 minutes. Drink tea before bed.
3. In a cup, mix a teaspoon of valerian and motherwort, pour boiling water over it, and leave for 20 minutes. Drink the strained tea throughout the day.

Valerian and motherwort have the strongest calming effect. Mint and lemon balm help you fall asleep easily. Chamomile relieves the symptoms of toxicosis and tones the body.

You should not overuse concentrated herbal infusions. You can add a little herb to regular tea.

Motherwort is a great stress reliever

Vitamin therapy

Stress and nervousness in pregnant women are often the result of a lack of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. You can solve the problem using proper nutrition and vitamin-mineral complexes.

The main element is ascorbic acid. All cells and tissues need it for normal functioning. Vitamin C is found in all vegetables and fruits. The leaders are bell pepper, black currant, Brussels sprouts, parsley.

Vitamin E works in tandem with vitamin C: they form an antioxidant complex. It is found in beef liver, spinach leaves, almonds, olive and sunflower oil.

For the normal functioning of the mother’s nervous system and its formation in the child, vitamin B6 and magnesium are needed. The latter is found in bananas, spinach, almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Beans, beef liver, pork, lamb, pistachios, and celery root are rich in vitamin B.

Vitamin and mineral complexes can be taken only after a doctor’s prescription. It is prohibited to drink drugs uncontrollably.

Calming activities

To cope with nervous tension, pregnant women do not have to take pills or herbs; they can change or adjust their lifestyle, or find something they like.

How to calm your nerves during pregnancy without pills:

1. Walks in the open air. You can walk through the forest or park, admire nature, without thinking about problems.
2. Healthy sleep. You need to go to bed and get up at the same time every day (ideal time to fall asleep is 22:00, to wake up 6:00, 7:00). A nap after a light lunch is very beneficial for pregnant women.
3. Physical training. It is best to practice yoga for pregnant women with a professional instructor.

Developing new talents will help you relax and get rid of the blues. Can be learned foreign language, learn to draw portraits, crochet, embroider with ribbons, etc.

It is useful to start the day by listening to music. She can be calm or cheerful, but not sad or aggressive.

Psychological attitude

If you can’t cope with stress with walks and herbal tea, you need to work on yourself. A positive attitude will help you easily cope with any stressful situation.

It is very difficult to get rid of despair, fear, resentment and irritation with one effort of will. You need to program yourself. You can do this yourself or work with a psychologist.

1. “My husband (mom, dad, etc.) is the best, he only wants the best for me. I will not quarrel with him, even if he is wrong today. I am calm, wise and balanced." This does not apply to cases of assault.
2. “I’m happy that I live, that I have a home, that I have freedom. I am strong and I can protect myself, I have nothing to fear.” The verbal form helps to drive away unreasonable fears.
3. “There are no perfect mothers, I have the right to make mistakes. I can handle everything." Suitable for cases when strangers begin to give advice on how a pregnant woman should and should not behave.
4. "I won't react to it, I'll remain calm." Suitable for any unpleasant situation.

You should not try to specifically limit yourself from stress. If the situation requires participation, it must be accepted. Yes, you need to react calmer, but a state of complete detachment is also not beneficial.

A healthy lifestyle, vitamins, interesting hobby and a positive attitude. These methods have a long-term effect. Sedatives help to cope with nerves for a short period.

Stress, even in the normal state of a person, is a very serious test for any organism. What can we say about how difficult it is to tolerate during pregnancy. At this time, both external factors (cold and heat, hunger and thirst, physical activity, etc.) and emotional and psychological factors (resentment, fatigue, fear of childbirth, death) can damage the nervous system. loved one, nervous tension, etc.). Any nervous stress during pregnancy is dangerous both for the health of the woman herself and for the condition of the child she is carrying.

It often happens that a pregnant woman does not even notice that she is under constant stress. She gets so used to it that she takes all her fears and worries for granted. Meanwhile, constant stress during pregnancy carries out its destructive work from the inside. Therefore every future mom should be able to analyze your condition and pay attention to the main symptoms of stress:

• apathy, indifference to everything, lethargy;
• decreased performance;
• lack and loss of appetite;
• periods of inexplicable anxiety, nervousness;
• rapid heartbeat;
• dizziness;
• tremor of the limbs (trembling);
• decreased immunity - frequent colds.

If all this is the case, most likely, your condition is quite serious and requires immediate correction. Scientists have found that in a woman's body under stress during pregnancy, the amount of special hormones - glucocorticoids - increases significantly. And they affect not only genes, but also have a close connection with the functioning of the placenta. Accordingly, their consequences can be very serious.

What are the dangers of stress during pregnancy?

There are women who talk about the extreme stress they endured during pregnancy, which had absolutely no effect on the condition of their baby or the birth. These are very controversial situations, since the consequences can manifest themselves much later - problems can begin in a child at school or adolescence, when serious changes in the psyche occur. Doctors have long explained how stress affects pregnancy and the future health of the baby. It can lead to the following consequences:

• small;
• premature birth;
• stress in late pregnancy provokes abnormalities in the formation of the child’s nervous system;
• problems of adaptation in a team;
• autism or hyperactivity;
• fears and phobias;
• stress in early pregnancy can lead to severe fetal hypoxia.
• enuresis;
• terrible birth anomalies - such as “cleft lip” or “cleft palate”;
• allergic and asthmatic reactions in a newborn;
• development of diabetes;
• cardiovascular diseases;

As you can see, being strong is a very serious test for both the baby and the expectant mother. Therefore, it is so important to try to avoid it by all means. Moreover, this should be understood not only by the woman herself, but first of all by those who surround her during this period of life.

How to avoid stress during pregnancy?

Both the doctor observing her and her family and friends should help a pregnant woman avoid the terrible consequences of a stressful condition. After all, her psycho-emotional state depends on the latter. Pregnancy is not the time for quarrels, hysterics, and certainly not divorce. To avoid nervous tension, the expectant mother needs to know methods that quickly and effectively restore peace of mind.

1. Learn to control your thoughts: stop thinking about the bad, expect only the negative. Tune in to the positive and think about a successful birth and your baby, whom you will soon hug. If you feel that you are not able to do this yourself, be sure to sign up for special training or go to a psychologist.
2. Don't be alone with your fears. Find someone you can tell everything to. Do not leave negativity in yourself, get rid of it by any means.
3. Walk more in the fresh air, do not forget to ventilate your room.
4. Eat well, especially plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
5. Sleep as much as you want.
6. Do physical exercise for pregnant women: special exercise, swimming, even yoga.
7. Communicate only with those people who are pleasant to you. Exclude from your social circle those who often offend you or simply annoy you.
8. Get plenty of rest, especially in the first months. While you are working, a lunch break is a must. Don’t work in the evenings: before going to bed, you need to learn to relax and get pleasant emotions from some favorite activity that gives you pleasure.
9. You can relax in different ways: discover the world of aromatherapy, sign up for a massage or acupuncture, or practice meditation.

Every woman who is preparing to become a mother should be very clear about the dangers of stress during pregnancy and why it is so important to avoid it by any means. To protect your baby from negative consequences, you need to be able to concentrate on the main thing - your situation, and try to ignore annoying little things and failures.

Stress during pregnancy can be caused by both external and internal factors. From the first days of pregnancy, a complete restructuring begins in the body. At the beginning of pregnancy, nausea may begin, later, frequent urge to urinate, constipation, heartburn, digestive system upset, poor or vice versa, increased appetite, dizziness, etc. are bothered. In each specific case, everything goes individually, some women do not feel anything like this throughout their pregnancy, others suffer from all the symptoms at once, while others suffer from only a few of them. A poor physical condition is often accompanied by a psychological one. Pregnant women, and at the same time those around them, are tormented by frequent mood swings, tearfulness, irritability, resentment, increased anxiety, vague fears, etc. In the second trimester, gums may begin to bleed, cause headaches, runny nose, and mild swelling.

The very state of pregnancy causes a woman a little stress, primarily from changes in hormonal levels. During this period, a woman is preparing to become a mother, which completely changes her previous lifestyle - and this is also a kind of stress. Added to this are problems at work or in family life, the woman begins to worry greatly about her future and the future of her baby. Closer to childbirth, a woman is haunted by fear of this process, especially if the child is the first and the pregnancy did not go very well. Stress in small doses is even beneficial, both for the mother and for the baby. But if this condition haunts a pregnant woman for a very long time and manifests itself quite strongly, in this case it is worth seeking help from a specialist, because the negative consequences of stress can seriously affect the mental health of the child.

By about the fifth month, the woman’s physical condition returns to normal, she is not bothered by morning sickness, frequent headaches disappear, she is less likely to get irritated over trifles, and she is happy in the knowledge that she has a little life inside her. But over time, the woman feels nagging pain in the lower abdomen, this happens because the ligaments that support the abdominal press become tense. She becomes more and more absent-minded, more tired, and closer to childbirth a feeling of fear of this process appears, especially in firstborns.

All these conditions cause some stress in the pregnant woman's body, but not in the usual sense. Such shallow experiences do not affect the health of the future person; moreover, with minor negative emotions, the hormone cortisol appears in the human body. This hormone, in reasonable doses, is necessary for the child to develop properly. And with severe stress, too much cortisol enters the body of the mother, and, consequently, the child, which, according to experts, can lead to congenital pathologies.

Severe stress during pregnancy

If a woman experiences severe stress during pregnancy, her chances of giving birth to an autistic child are doubled (an autist is a person with a mental disorder, which is characterized by immersion in the personal world; such people have a greatly weakened connection with outside world, they lose interest in reality, have no desire to communicate, and have very poor emotional expression).

Such conclusions were made by American scientists who conducted an experiment involving five hundred pregnant women. During the experiment, specialists assessed stress by the strength of its impact. As it turned out, women in whose group the stressful situations were stronger than others were 2 times more likely to have children who were subsequently diagnosed with autism.

Severe stress, according to doctors, these are moving to a new place of residence, bereavement of loved ones, loss of work, conflicts with relatives, etc. It is especially dangerous if a woman has been subjected to severe stress from the 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy, since during this period the mother’s nervous overstrain can greatly affect the baby’s brain.

As a result of the studies, it turned out that the appearance of autism is associated not only with genetic abnormalities, as previously assumed, but is largely due to negative environmental factors, in particular, the psycho-emotional state of the mother during pregnancy.

Nervous stress during pregnancy

Nervous stress during pregnancy is accompanied by every woman. Even in those moments when she is absolutely happy, a woman endures heavy mental stress. Any external irritant, which is conventionally divided into physical and mental, can lead to severe psychological shock. The physical source of stress is characterized by constant impact on the pregnant woman’s body - heat or cold, thirst or hunger, heavy physical activity. Physical stress is possible due to poor diet, insufficient sleep, and decreased physical activity. With psychological sources of stress, emotional overstrain is observed; this state can be provoked by a lie from a loved one, resentment, as well as situations where there is a threat to personal relationships (for example, with a husband), social status, financial condition. Also, lack of time can lead to psychological stress, when you feel responsible, but there is no time to think about a decision. Moreover, the source of stress here is precisely the person’s attitude to the situation.

Stressful loads accompany a woman throughout pregnancy. The main sources of stress here are natural changes, pregnancy that was not part of the plans, thoughts about how to live further, about the child’s health, and fear of childbirth. Experiences are usually associated with the news of pregnancy, the need to attend a consultation, communicate with doctors, conflict situations in the family or at work.

Stress during pregnancy has a very strong effect on the nervous system of the unborn child. As a result of the mother's frequent nervous shocks during pregnancy, children grow up more nervous, restless, and find it harder to adapt to the world around them. Children whose pregnant mothers suffered from husband cruelty showed lower intellectual development than their peers who developed in calm conditions. Scientists have found that the reason for this is the hormone cortisol - the higher its level in the mother’s blood, and accordingly in the amniotic fluid, the higher the risk of developing developmental delays. Approximately 15% of children who exhibit anxiety, attention deficit, and delays in the development of psychomotor functions have become victims of a severe nervous shock suffered by the mother during the period of intrauterine development. The most dangerous thing for an expectant mother is stress in which she is subjected to cruel treatment, in which case the risk of hyperactivity syndrome doubles. If it were possible to reduce the mother's stress during pregnancy in a timely manner, the development of hundreds of thousands of severe psychological and neurological disorders in children could be avoided.

Experts say that stress and negativity cannot be kept to yourself; you must get rid of it. Sometimes you need to talk it out to make it easier. Nervous stress can be eased by having a fun and relaxed time. If positive dynamics are not observed, you should definitely consult a doctor, and you may need the help of a qualified specialist. It is necessary to understand the source of the stressful situation and eliminate it from your life as completely as possible.

Sleep is the best remedy for treating stress; nervous tension and anxiety can arise from lack of sleep. Therefore, you need to rest more. If you have a hard time falling asleep, you need to do an interesting active activity (to the best of your ability), then the body, tired during the day, will more quickly relax and rest. You can take a warm bath before bed. Activity to some extent helps to get rid of nervous tension, so you can consult your doctor about special exercises or gymnastics for pregnant women. There are many hobbies that will help you forget unpleasant moments and distract yourself - cooking, walking, photography, reading, etc. During pregnancy, the main thing is to see only positive sides, avoid if possible stressful situations and set yourself up for the best.

Constant stress during pregnancy

Prolonged stress during pregnancy negatively affects both the health of the expectant mother and the health of her child. Strong and prolonged nervous shock exhausts the body of a pregnant woman, she becomes apathetic, lethargic, suffers from insomnia, anxiety causes trembling in the body, rapid heartbeat. Severe stress can cause skin rashes, headaches, and body aches. With such stress, various pregnancy complications are possible. A woman may suffer from increased toxicosis, worsening chronic diseases, a newborn may have congenital malformations.

In addition, constant nervous tension negatively affects the immune system, which is already greatly weakened during pregnancy. The body's weak defenses cannot cope with viruses entering the body, so the woman is in a constant painful state. A severe physical condition is aggravated by an even more severe mental one - complete dissatisfaction, apathy, irritability. But no matter how hard it is for a woman, at this moment it is even harder for a person who has not yet been born, and if a woman does not come to her senses in time and does not bring her mental state back to normal, this person may never know what life is.

Constant stress during pregnancy has a very severe consequences, which is why you need to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The best option during pregnancy is to learn to avoid such nervous shocks. A woman in this position should think more about pleasant things, she should be able (or learn) to relax, perhaps a visit to special courses yoga for pregnant women. All existing problems should not be kept to yourself; they should be expressed immediately and discussed in a calm atmosphere with loved ones. If you want to cry, cry, if you laugh, laugh, you should never be shy own feelings, this especially applies to pregnant women, for whom a good emotional state is extremely important. Your motto during this period should be “movement is life.” Try to walk as often as possible; swimming is very beneficial for pregnant women. As you know, sleep cures all diseases, stress being one of them. If you don't get enough sleep, then stress is guaranteed.

, , , ,

Consequences of stress during pregnancy

Stress helps reduce the body's defenses. If a person is exposed to frequent stressful conditions, he is more susceptible to infectious diseases, and this is extremely harmful for a pregnant woman. But stress during pregnancy is a fairly common condition, unfortunately. If the state of stress is not deep and passes relatively quickly, then there is nothing dangerous about it. Such mild and short-lived conditions, as if training the woman’s body before childbirth, strengthen the baby’s nervous system while still in the tummy.

The situation is different with a prolonged, severe state of stress during pregnancy. This condition is harmful to both the woman herself and her unborn child. A long depressed state depletes vitality. The woman becomes lethargic, sleepy, and suffers from insomnia at night. The baby will have the same condition when he is born if the mother does not find the strength to overcome this difficult condition.

Stress during pregnancy has serious consequences: severe anxiety, which can occur even without serious reasons, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), tremors in the hands, chest, dizziness, headaches, rash (manifests in especially sensitive women). Toxicosis manifests itself much more severely, as a result of a woman’s weakened immune system, which threatens developmental pathologies in the child.

The child's central nervous system is especially affected. If a pregnant woman was constantly in under stress, her child's nervous system will be extremely vulnerable. Even at a conscious age, it will be very difficult for a child to adapt to the world around him; he will be very restless, nervous, and anxious. Such children are more susceptible to various fears than their peers. Allergies and asthma are one of the consequences of a mother’s stressful state during pregnancy, and this can be a consequence of both long-term stress and a short, but strong and frequent stressful state. If a way could be found to reduce stress, many children would not suffer from severe psychological and neurological disorders. If a mother has experienced severe nervous tension in the first three months of pregnancy, then her child may develop schizophrenia over time, since it is during this period that the baby’s nervous system is formed. The chances of developing schizophrenia in this case are approximately 70%. Experts are clear in their conclusions: external psychological factors have a direct impact on the processes of formation of the nervous system even in the early stages of human development.

Every pregnant woman noticed that when experiencing anxiety, the baby began to move actively. There is a simple explanation for this - if the mother is in an anxious state, the child does not have enough oxygen and with his movements he seems to begin to massage the placenta in order to obtain blood with the necessary elements.

A child whose mother was often nervous during pregnancy will suffer from enuresis and diabetes in the future. Also, autism is one of the consequences of severe nervous tension of the mother during pregnancy.

If the mother is severely nervous, her body can independently get rid of a weak male fetus, i.e. this may lead to miscarriage. By the way, but for unknown reasons, the body does not get rid of the female fetus. It is also interesting that boys who were born when their mother was under severe stress live much longer than those who were born into this world under favorable conditions.

Fetal malformation, popularly referred to as “cleft lip” or “cleft palate,” has been observed among women who were under prolonged stress during pregnancy. The risk of developing malformation in women under constant nervous tension is 2 times higher than in those who were calmer during pregnancy. Severely anxious women run the risk of giving birth prematurely; in this case, the baby's weight will be much lower than normal and the chances of survival for such children are very low. If such children survive, then they experience deformation of all body functions, so such children are prone to frequent illnesses.

Conflict situations in the family can lead to mental and emotional inhibition in the child. Also, frequent quarrels in the family can provoke premature birth or miscarriage. Constant stress leads to a long delivery, during which the child may die. Poor sleep, dissatisfaction with oneself, and severe fatigue lead to premature and rapid labor.

Stress during pregnancy is a condition that needs to be addressed urgently. A woman must first of all think about the health of her baby, whose life now completely depends on her, not only on a strong physical condition, but also balanced emotional and mental. A woman must remember that any anxious state of hers cuts off oxygen to her child, he is in literally starts to choke. It is for this reason that when his mother is nervous, he begins to actively move to show her how bad he is now.

], , ,

Unfortunately, busy days happen outside of plans and schedules. They do not bypass expectant mothers either. Troubles at work, disagreements with her husband, everyday troubles... During pregnancy, a woman often perceives various problems too acutely. But you can learn to react to external stimuli in a less painful way.

Stress during pregnancy: how to help yourself?

1. Directed aggression. Often the expectant mother, knowing about the harm negative emotions, forbids himself to experience them: “I can’t cry,” “Stop being angry,” etc. However, emotions do not disappear anywhere, but are simply transformed into bodily tension, increased muscle tone. Therefore, in order to truly free yourself from negativity, it can be useful to allow “forbidden” behavior, adapting it to the place. Are you angry at a colleague who took advantage of your position to get the promotion you were hoping for? Keep a piece of plasticine on hand that you can knead, roll... With such actions, all the tension goes into your hands and fingers, and stopping manipulation leads to relaxation of these parts of the body and relieving irritation. For the same purpose, we take pencils and paper: with quick movements, draw something on the paper (doodles or a cartoon of the offender), then tear the piece of paper into many small pieces, collect them into a fist and crumple up a ball, which you then throw in the trash.

2. Monotonous activity. Don't try to drive away obsessive thoughts and feelings. It is better to switch your attention to any monotonous activity that is pleasant for you. For example, you can start making baby sling beads - they will come in handy after the birth of your baby. They are convenient to always take with you, take them out of your bag, for example, if you are irritated while waiting in line. Bright colors will attract attention, the use of natural materials will have a calming effect on the senses, and tying, weaving and picking beads will calm the nerves and help you relax during pregnancy. In addition, an additional reminder of the future baby will evoke pleasant emotions.

3. Water procedures. Water has always been considered a good helper in the fight against fatigue and tension. Many people find exercise in the pool helpful. If training is not recommended for medical reasons, you can provide yourself with a relaxation session in the shower. Close your eyes and feel how drops of water fall on your body and flow down, try not to think, but just feel the water on your skin. Stand there for a few minutes, feeling how the drops carry away your problems with the water. Repeat to yourself: “Everything flows, everything changes, this too will pass.” This meditation will help you relax.

4. Just the facts. Sometimes, in order to stop being nervous, it is enough to simply remove the uncertainty of the situation by receiving Additional information. You're not very worried about good tests, and the doctor only scared you with the upcoming hospitalization? Read the literature on this issue, consult another specialist, collect all the data before drawing conclusions and getting upset. If the situation is really not going very well, then try to mentally build a scenario in which the current situation is perceived as relatively good, since the alternative could be worse. For example: “If I hadn’t come to the consultation this month, I could have harmed the baby, but everything can be fixed.”

5. The business side of the issue. To reduce stress during pregnancy, you can switch from the emotional side of the issue to the business side, that is, get down to business: the technical side of the problem, planning, solving, etc. If you are very annoyed by the audibility in the apartment and very noisy neighbors (parents sort things out loudly, at night a child cries, a teenager listens to music at full volume during the day), instead of being nervous, keep yourself busy looking for options real solution this problem. Perhaps it’s time to think about renovations, then it will be possible to soundproof the walls, because your baby will soon also start bothering the neighbors. In general, a way out can always be found.