What effects does stress during pregnancy have on the baby?

According to research, stress experienced during pregnancy can affect the brain development of unborn babies starting from the 17th week of gestation. Previously, research was primarily conducted on animals, but studies on humans over the past decade have shown that unborn babies can be exposed to their mothers' stress hormones very early on; that is, the mother's cortisol can cross the placenta and reach the fetus. According to studies conducted at Imperial College and Rochester Medical Center, maternal stress during pregnancy causes changes in the placenta, which affects the baby's neurodevelopment.

According to a study published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology, very high stress levels in pregnant mothers affect the baby's brain functions and behavior. Another study suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy can cause the child to be hyperactive, exhibit emotional problems, and display behavioral disorders. According to a 2000 study by Hansen and colleagues, high stress levels during the first three months of pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital abnormalities in children by 50%, especially during the development of organs. If the level of stress is excessive, it can even lead to stillbirths.

Two separate studies of 8719 women who experienced high stress levels showed that those who experienced stress for 30 weeks gave birth prematurely – before 34 weeks in the first study and before 37 weeks in the second. Another study conducted at Imperial College tested the general development of children at 18 months of age whose mothers were monitored during and after pregnancy. The test, which involved very simple basic measurements, had an average score of 100. Children whose mothers experienced high stress during pregnancy scored 90. According to Professor Dr. Glover from Imperial College, stress significantly affects children's mental development.

What can be done to reduce stress during pregnancy?

To reduce stress, you can either change your lifestyle or try to cope with the emotional and physical problems you are experiencing. If you feel you cannot cope, do not hesitate to seek help, considering your baby's health.

If you are a working woman and you are pregnant, reconsider your lifestyle; even write it down and review what you need to change according to your new situation. If you have a busy work life, household responsibilities, or travel, it is beneficial to review these. As pregnancy progresses, it will bring a certain physical burden, so a hectic lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits will not be suitable for you. In addition to a regular diet, exercise regularly, swim, or walk.

Be sure to set aside time for rest and calmness; know how important slow and deep diaphragmatic breathing is. Relax your body, get a massage if possible, and get good sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, you can benefit from relaxation exercises before bedtime.

One of the main ways your body responds to tension and stress is through the skin. Scientists call this galvanic skin resistance. Galvanic skin resistance, or GSR for short, is a reflection of variations in sweat gland activity and pore volume controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. When you are excited, scared, or uncomfortable, the system activates chemical and physical changes throughout your body. Your galvanic skin resistance level also changes. When you are relaxed and calm, your skin resistance increases; when you are tense, your skin resistance decreases. The GSR2 finger connection, developed to reduce stress, eliminates this stress.

Biofeedback is a highly effective method for coping with stress. Studies have shown that biofeedback improves depressive mood and anxiety caused by chronic stress, and improves overall emotional health in individuals exposed to acute stress. Minimizing stress in pregnant women is very important for the reasons mentioned above. Biofeedback can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating stress in pregnant women under stress. Many textbooks and publications mention empirical research on the effectiveness of biofeedback in stress management methods.

 

What are the responsibilities of the pregnant woman, her spouse, family, and close circle?

Keep communication open with your spouse, loved ones, friends, and family, especially your spouse. Since she hasn't experienced pregnancy herself, she won't understand what you're feeling or expecting, so you need to explain it to her, what you're feeling, your desires, your expectations, etc.

If you tell your spouse or family about your fears, anxieties, etc., and how you feel and what kind of help you expect, things will be much easier. Sitting around with expectations without healthy communication can lead to disappointment. Remember that your spouse may also be experiencing anxieties and fears, especially with the first child; this is very natural, and you can overcome this with proper communication. You can include your spouse in your daily regular exercises and walks.

 

While pregnant women should eat regularly and healthily, one of the important tasks for spouses is to ensure that their spouse or partner adheres to this as much as possible. Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and unhealthy foods in the presence of the pregnant spouse will be a great support; eating healthy foods together will also be a motivation for the pregnant spouse. Body massages, especially neck, back, and foot massages, greatly relax pregnant women; spouses can support this. Talking about what will be done during and after childbirth, planning everything in advance to avoid panicking the pregnant spouse, and not leaving things to the last minute is very important.