Severe stress during pregnancy: consequences for the child. Stress and nervous tension during pregnancy Nervous stress during pregnancy

Stress during pregnancy regarding further labor and other related issues is not considered uncommon among pregnant women. A little anxiety, disappointment and depression during this period is the norm, due to the influence of hormones. If stress during pregnancy causes more negative emotions and nervous breakdowns, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Reasons for the appearance of negativity

The causes of stress vary from woman to woman. For some expectant mothers, pregnancy itself is stressful. They find it difficult to maintain control and manage physical changes. Other reasons that take an emotional toll on the expectant mother include:

1. Heavy load on the body. This is caused by periodic nausea, constipation, and muscle pain.
2. Hormonal fluctuations that lead to mood swings affect self-control during pregnancy. This makes it difficult to manage yourself in such a situation.
3. Juggling work, pregnancy and household chores at the same time can be difficult for some pregnant women. This affects personal and work life.
4. Domestic violence, personal problems.

If a pregnant woman recognizes herself from several of the listed life situations, the level of stress hormones in the body increases.

The effect of stress on the fetus and the health of the pregnant woman

Bad mood, depression and nervousness are unlikely to lead to pregnancy complications if the circumstances are properly controlled. In some cases, this affects the health of the expectant mother and child. Severe, prolonged stress leads to complications if left untreated:

• high blood pressure;
• diabetes mellitus during pregnancy;
• weakened immune system;
• severe depression.

Some women try to cope with stress by smoking and drinking alcohol. This again leads to health problems for the mother and child.

Stress during pregnancy in the first trimester has the following effects on the baby:

1. Emotional shock stimulates the release of the hormone cortisol, which increases depending on the severity of the stress. As a result, depression, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis develop in the child at a later age.
2. The child is born prematurely, which leads to diseases related to digestion, respiratory tract, decreased immunity and death of the child in some cases.
3. Full-term babies are born with overweight and a weak immune system. Stress exposure causes hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply during childbirth).
4. Increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Watch a video about the effects of stress during pregnancy:

Sometimes, in the early stages, ultrasound reveals a frozen pregnancy after stress. It is better for others to treat pregnant women with understanding. The consequences of stress for a child develop in adulthood if the mother was very nervous during pregnancy.

Dangerous symptoms

Chronic nervous stress causes a variety of physical, emotional, mental and social symptoms:

1. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, vision problems, headaches, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, muscle pain, increased sweating. But most often a pregnant woman has a stomach ache.
2. Confusion, nightmares, memory loss, sleep changes and difficulty focusing.
3. Grief, guilt, worry, irritability, fear, denial, worry, loneliness or frustration
4. Isolation from family, friends, loss of appetite, smoking and alcohol abuse.

If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist and psychologist.

How to deal with stress as a pregnant woman

There are ways to reduce negative symptoms during pregnancy:

1. You need to do light physical activity. For example, walking, as it not only reduces stress levels, but also prevents general discomfort during pregnancy.
2. Prenatal or meditation classes.
3. Breathing exercises should be done.
4. The best thing to do is read a book or watch your favorite show.
5. It is necessary to find out what worries the pregnant woman most and try to talk about it with her husband, friend or even a therapist.
6. Seek help from family and friends.
7. Take childbirth education classes to understand about pregnancy, childbirth, relaxation techniques, exercises.
8. If a pregnant woman thinks she is depressed, treatment should be started early to avoid the need for antidepressants.
9. Eat healthy, nutritious foods.
10. Consider joining a support group on social media. This way you can meet like-minded people among pregnant women.

Stress is extremely undesirable for pregnant women. If you can’t contain your emotions, it’s better to consult a psychologist.

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 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 mental agitation that is 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 recent 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 the main role is played by 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 the financial situation) physiological ones also appear. 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 a complex system of 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)

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, the creator of modern methods for 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 can help. 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 psychological help hotlines. 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 special cases. difficult situations. Antidepressants are used only when the harm from stress to the mother’s health is more destructive than 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 a healthy lifestyle are the key to a good mood Yoga will help you find peace and self-confidence Get everything necessary knowledge You can attend 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.

Severe stress negatively affects a person’s mental and physical state. Acute shock affects the functioning of the immune system, and health and performance deteriorate. Therefore, it is extremely unfavorable during pregnancy. Not only the mother’s body suffers, but also the fetus.

Of course, for nine months you cannot completely isolate yourself from exciting situations, but it is the acute and prolonged stress factor that is dangerous. Powerful emotional trauma can cause the development of various pathologies, for example, missed abortion. But it's not all that scary. Scientists believe that small worries are even beneficial for the female body and the baby’s nervous system. Only constant stress and deep emotions cause serious damage. What consequences, besides missed abortion, can be caused by a long-term stress factor?

The effect of stress on the female body

Long-term chronic stress affects the condition of a pregnant woman as follows:

1. Increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, tachycardia, dizziness. Some women complain of chest and abdominal pain and persistent migraines.
2. In the first trimester, many women are plagued by toxicosis, and constant stress increases its manifestations.
3. A pregnant woman is unable to cope with emotions, she may cry often, and is haunted by apathy and fatigue. does not allow the woman to relax, she is tense and in a state of anxiety.
4. Decreased overall tone and strength. A woman constantly wants to sleep during the day, but cannot sleep at night. This behavior will subsequently appear in the baby.

Exposure to prolonged stress during pregnancy leads to depression, irritability, and dissatisfaction with one's situation.

Mental stress and the course of pregnancy

Regular use also affects gestation. How dangerous is a stress factor?

1. Traumatic circumstances can provoke such an undesirable phenomenon as miscarriage. It has been proven that constant worry increases the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
2. Due to protracted emotional experiences, amniotic fluid may begin to leak prematurely, and this is an unfavorable development of events for the baby.
3. In the first trimester, the eighth week of gestation is considered the most dangerous period. At this time, the fetus is sensitive to stressful circumstances and a strong traumatic factor can lead to a missed abortion. In this case, the embryo stops developing. Additional causes of frozen pregnancy include alcohol abuse, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, heavy lifting, and previous abortions. But in some cases, doctors do not see any other reason for the appearance of a frozen pregnancy than nervous stress. Signs of a frozen pregnancy may appear in the second trimester, especially at 16 and 18 weeks.

Any deviation from the normal course of pregnancy aggravates the woman’s emotional state. And some pathologies, for example, the occurrence of a frozen pregnancy or miscarriage, have a strong impact on overall well-being.

Consequences of a stress factor for a baby

The mother's fetus is most susceptible. Stress during pregnancy negatively affects the baby for the following reasons:

1. Medical experts say that during periods of strong excitement, the baby’s nervous system suffers greatly. If the expectant mother experienced stress during pregnancy, then after birth the child may suffer from hyperactivity. Such children are susceptible to various phobias and have a reduced adaptive threshold.
2. Stress in pregnant women also negatively affects the health of the baby. The fetus suffers from intrauterine hypoxia, and after birth the child is susceptible to allergic and asthmatic reactions.
3. According to some data, in the early stages of pregnancy, namely in the first trimester, it can provoke the development of schizophrenia in the child. Researchers say the probability is seventy percent.
4. The child needs the calm emotions of the mother. If a woman is subject to negative thoughts, then the consequences of negative experiences affect the child’s psyche. A balanced mother can give her child health, both mental and physical. Some scientists believe that the manifestation of a frozen pregnancy should be looked for in the nervous excitability of the mother.
5. The cause of enuresis, diabetes, and autism also lies in the stressful state of the expectant mother. Severe trauma is a factor in many adversities in the baby, for example, prematurity, or the non-viability of the baby.

Stress during pregnancy affects not only the woman, but also her future child. The baby suffers from the mother’s worries and worries. Stress during pregnancy is the cause of many problems. You should be wary of severe anxiety not only in the first trimester, but throughout the entire period of bearing a child. In this case, many negative aspects can be avoided, for example, the occurrence of a frozen pregnancy or rupture of amniotic fluid.

Stress is a reaction of the human psyche to some external event or to one’s unfavorable physical state. It can play different roles in human health. If stress is overcome through one’s own efforts, life returns to normal, this state strengthens and hardens, and gives confidence in one’s ability to cope with life’s difficulties.

If a stressful situation is protracted, a person may not be able to cope with it and receive a severe blow to the psyche, which will lead to serious illness. In this case, it is necessary to seek help from a psychiatrist, overcoming your prejudices against treatment of this nature. You need to understand that only a small part of people who have suffered stress acquire chronic depression, and even fewer people need treatment in a hospital setting.

Stress during pregnancy is a common phenomenon that must be treated in a timely manner using gentle non-drug methods so as not to harm either the expectant mother or the child. Let's figure out why it occurs, as well as methods to combat it.

Causes

The type of her character plays a role in the occurrence of stress in a pregnant woman. If before pregnancy a girl took life lightly, found reasons to be happy, did not focus on minor troubles, and was not afraid of pain and difficulties, most likely she will not face severe stress during pregnancy. If a lady is afraid of everything, always worries about the slightest adversity - a boss’s remark, a friend’s taunts, a broken zipper in her bag, a pimple on her nose - she is more susceptible to stress while expecting a baby.

In addition, each woman has her own threshold of normal life, existence below which she considers misfortune. For some, feeling tolerable and looking forward to a family dinner on Saturday is enough. Some people consider active recreation, fun parties, and trips to resorts normal. In the second case, the onset of stress is more likely, since during pregnancy you will have to change your lifestyle and limit yourself in many ways.

The most common causes of stress in pregnant women:

1. Fear of the birth process. This is the most common cause of stress. The stories of grandmothers about those times when many women and children died during childbirth due to unsanitary conditions, lack of qualified specialists, and the inability to obtain sometimes necessary medications play a negative role here. While you are expecting a child, it would be a good idea to read literature about modern methods of assisting with childbirth in difficult cases, take courses for pregnant women, listen to the doctor who is managing the pregnancy, and not to your talkative neighbors.


2. Fear of a difficult pregnancy. Naturally, in this position, a woman’s taste preferences change, and toxicosis often occurs. During the second half of the term, the physical capabilities of the pregnant woman deteriorate. It is difficult for her to sit and walk, her legs sometimes swell, even tying her shoelaces is a problem. We must remember that this condition is temporary, and that as a reward you will receive the happiness of motherhood.
3. Fear of losing your youthful figure after childbirth, becoming fat, and not being liked by your husband. Yes, the figure will change, but it can be fixed. Remember to wear a prenatal and postnatal bandage. Do not overeat or exceed the amount of fluid you take as permitted by your doctor. After giving birth, 2-3 months later, you can start doing exercises to return to your prenatal form.
4. Fear of not being able to cope with your role as a mother and wife. Indeed, when the baby is very small, and you are not yet accustomed to new responsibilities, and even the child cries at night, it can be difficult. So relatives should help the young mother at this stage. In addition, many books and articles have been written about the first months of a baby’s life. Modern doctors consider it possible to take a baby crying at night into bed with his parents, so that the mother can breastfeed him on demand, almost without waking up. Try to choose a bedtime during the day when your baby is sleeping. If you take temporary difficulties lightly, your child will also be cheerful and calm. You will succeed.


5. Problems at work. The bosses are naturally dissatisfied when they have to let an employee go for 3 years who already knows the job and has proven himself well. Or, on the contrary, the manager is glad that he will temporarily assign someone he knows to a higher position, and then, gradually, remove you from the position. Remember - having a child and experiencing maternal happiness is your choice. No work can replace a woman's child. In addition, after pregnancy and a three-year vacation, you will still be young enough to prove your need in your previous place or find a new job. Moreover, when the baby grows up a little, there will be less worries, and you will still be on vacation, you can take advanced training courses online.
6. Worry that the baby in the womb is not developing correctly. At some point he stops pushing with his legs. You may suddenly start losing weight. Any deviation from the norm causes stress. Therefore, if you have any doubts, you should definitely visit a doctor, do an ultrasound and determine the cause of your anxiety. Perhaps there is no pathology of fetal development, and you are worrying in vain.

Any random event can be a cause for stress - a scandal at home, the rudeness of a fellow traveler on public transport, and so on.

You must learn to avoid participating in unpleasant situations, not to succumb to provocations, and remember that stress during pregnancy is harmful to both you and the baby.

Symptoms

In the initial stage, psychological signs of stress appear, seemingly not affecting the physical condition of the pregnant woman:

• A depressed, depressed state, when nothing makes you happy, indifference to everything in the world appears.
• A constant feeling of fatigue, a reluctance to do something or go somewhere, even if the trip is related to entertainment. In such a situation, a pregnant woman strives to lie in bed alone as much as possible, doing nothing.
• Tearfulness. Any word, memory, episode of a TV movie carelessly said by relatives or friends brings tears.
• Increased irritability. Things that a woman previously did not attach importance to - a dirty cup on the table, conversations with her mother with elements of mutual misunderstanding, her husband's half-hour delay from work, etc. - now cause anger in the pregnant woman.
• The most dangerous psychological sign of depression is the occurrence of suicidal thoughts in the expectant mother. Therefore, if family and friends notice signs of severe stress in a woman expecting a child, it is necessary to be with her, try to console her, believe in a successful outcome of the pregnancy, and, perhaps, persuade her to go to a psychiatrist.

If stress during pregnancy continues for a long time, its physiological signs are noticeable:

• A woman can lose several kilograms.
• A reaction to changing weather appears in the form of headaches.
• Nausea and vomiting may be a sign not of toxicosis, but of stress. Unlike the state of toxicosis, in this case they do not appear so often and are not directly related to food intake.
• Difficulty falling asleep in the evening, which is easier to identify in the early stages, when it is not explained by the presence of a large belly and the inability to get comfortable in bed.
• Heaviness of breathing is also characteristic of stress in the early stages. In late pregnancy, it may be associated with pressure from the uterus on the internal organs.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Panic attacks and tachycardia.
• Increased muscle tone, which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth (depending on the stage of pregnancy).
• Loss of appetite or the opposite situation – a constant desire to snack.
• Frequent colds and ARVI.
• Changes in the baby's behavior in the womb - he shows vigorous activity or, on the contrary, almost stops knocking his legs.

The appearance of any of the listed signs of stress dictates that the expectant mother needs to visit her doctor.

Perhaps she just needs to talk to a specialist so that he can reassure her that there is no reason to worry. If there are reasons, only a doctor can decide how to help the woman without harming the fetus.

Consequences of stress in pregnant women

During pregnancy, experiences have their own characteristics. These include the physical condition of a woman. After all, when a baby grows in the uterus, his mother’s hormonal levels change, and metabolic processes in the body are disrupted. Also, a pregnant woman has a double burden - to ensure her own vital functions and the development of the embryo. It follows from this that the state of pregnancy itself is already a physiological stress. And the experiences are explained by physical discomfort.

The fear of the upcoming birth and the responsibility of caring for a defenseless creature after it is also inherent only in women “in pregnancy.” Therefore, the expectant mother must understand that her condition is natural, felt by many millions of women. Doctors have accumulated vast experience in delivering babies and caring for infants. And there is nothing pathological in the pregnant woman’s condition.

How does stress affect pregnancy? During different periods of waiting for a child, it can bring various pathologies and troubles affecting both mother and child:

1. Stress in the early stages of pregnancy, in the first 3 months, threatens miscarriage. If it does not happen, the mother’s immunity may decrease, and she may develop frequent colds and infectious diseases, which also affect the baby’s health.


2. At 2 months of pregnancy - 8-9 weeks - due to this condition of the mother, the baby may develop a “cleft lip” or “cleft palate”. Under severe stress, the child is at risk of schizophrenia.
3. If a pregnant woman experiences stress during the period from 4 to 6 months, the baby is at risk of autism in the future. He will not be able to adapt to the social environment of his peers. In addition, the mother’s stress increases her and her child’s sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes. A woman in labor may experience bleeding after childbirth, and the baby is sometimes born very large.
4. In the last 3 months of pregnancy, stress can cause both premature birth and the birth of a post-term baby. This condition can cause difficult labor, which may require intervention by caesarean section. The mother’s nervous state can affect the baby by abnormalities in the formation of the nervous system and slower psychomotor development. The baby may also be at risk of lack of oxygen and disruption of uteroplacental blood flow.

From the above it is clear that stress in a pregnant woman is a very serious phenomenon that cannot be ignored. It's best to prevent it.

Stress prevention

The most important part of treating and preventing stress is self-hypnosis. A woman should disconnect from her husband’s financial problems at work, from her own work problems, and think only about the health of the child and her condition. If you cannot convince yourself that everything will be fine, sign up for a course of treatment with a psychologist who will talk to you and professionally convince you that there is no need to worry. Much has been written about the effects of stress on pregnancy. scientific works. A specialist familiar with them will certainly help you.

To prevent nervous conditions, take a course of vitamins prescribed by your gynecologist. Vitamin B will calm your nervous system, vitamin C will strengthen your immune system and protect against diseases. This vitamin also strengthens the nerves.

Helpful Tips:

1. Don't get involved in scandals.
2. Do not listen to your neighbors talk about various tragic stories.
3. You should not watch news on television or read it on the Internet. And in general, you don’t need to watch a lot of TV. But if you have such a desire, watch a comedy.
4. Play some nice romantic music for yourself.
5. Come up with a job that you enjoy. Knit hats for your baby, read romance novels.

It is very useful to go for exercises for pregnant women. You can do yoga - exercises that are intended for expectant mothers. Walk more and breathe fresh air.

Pregnancy is a special period, accompanied by fireworks of emotions that are not always positive. Difficulties at work, problems in the family, bad tests... This list of reasons for worrying is different for every pregnant woman. And only a few can boast of composure and absolute “immunity” to stress. Severe nervous tension negatively affects not only the psycho-emotional state of a woman, but can also complicate the course of childbirth or affect the formation of the fetus. Let's figure out what the causes of stress during pregnancy are in order to take control of the situation in time, and how stress during pregnancy is dangerous for a woman and her baby.

When a woman says “I’m stressed!”, most likely she is upset, scared, or outraged about something. But this is not an accurate description of the term “stress” and is more typical of its one type - neuropsychic stress.

From a scientific point of view, stress is emotional disturbance negative character, which can be provoked by a variety of factors, for example, hunger, cold, photophobia or other phobias.

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

Chronic stress or distress during pregnancy is more dangerous. This condition occurs against a background of prolonged nervous tension. Such “harmful” stress often disrupts the functioning of the entire body, affecting the hormonal levels, immune function and well-being of a pregnant woman.

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

Stress during pregnancy - causes and development features

During the gestational period, stress follows a certain scenario. It leads to stimulation of hormonal processes, which leads to pathological synthesis of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. This leads to the destruction of glucose in the pregnant woman’s body and a short-term jump in blood sugar. The body immediately reacts to this by synthesizing excess insulin, which utilizes sugar, which provokes unscheduled heat formation. Then, to “rest”, the body reduces insulin production, which is often called transient functional type diabetes.

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

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

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

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

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

How to understand that you are stressed during pregnancy - symptoms

You can tell that a woman is stressed by her emotional outburst. However, some women experience stress silently and do not know it themselves.

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

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

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

How stress affects pregnancy

Minor physiological stress often occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pregnancy companions such as vomiting, headache, and weakness. This often makes a woman nervous and emotionally tense, but negative influence it is not observed on the fetus. In other cases, when stress is caused by external stimuli, and the woman experiences a deep emotional shock, the consequences for her and her baby can be disastrous.

Stress during pregnancy: consequences for the child

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

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

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

Stress during pregnancy in the second trimester is no longer as dangerous for a woman as in the first. But in relation to the baby, everything changes exactly the opposite. For him, this period is very important, because the development of the organs and systems established in the first trimester is in full swing, and any negative factors can disrupt this process. Of course, the baby will not have any serious developmental abnormalities, but the following disorders may occur:

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

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

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

Stress during pregnancy: consequences for women

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

1. Worsening of toxicosis. Even moderate stress can turn mild nausea into uncontrollable vomiting. Drowsiness, dehydration also occur, and blood counts deteriorate. This often causes hospitalization.
2. Hormonal imbalance. Hormones are the first to respond to stress. Depending on the condition of the female body, this can cause unsuccessful implantation of the embryo or improper fixation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. Often, a fertilized cell, without attaching to the endometrium, leaves the uterus along with menstrual blood.
3. Hypertonicity of the uterus. The connection between increased uterine tone and anxiety has long been established. Therefore, stress often causes the threat of miscarriage.
4. Freezing of the fetus. Very often, a frozen pregnancy occurs due to stress.

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

The second trimester of pregnancy is the most comfortable period for a woman. Toxicosis is already behind us, and the delights of the third trimester in the form of clumsiness have not yet arrived. Therefore, there are no external reasons for stress. Since the emotional state in this period is elevated, minor irritants are unlikely to provoke strong feelings. But if something really serious happens, the stress will be very active.

On a note! For women, stress during this period is not dangerous, which cannot be said about the baby. Therefore, if you cannot cope with nerves, ask your doctor to prescribe mild sedatives.

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

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

How to cope with stress during pregnancy

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

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

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

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

Video “Stress and nerves during pregnancy”