Stress that comes to the fore in certain moderation definitely does no harm. But great stress during pregnancy and strong maternal anxiety may well have a negative impact on the child and its development. A low birth weight or even a miscarriage are possible. Childhood late effects such as asthma and depression are also sometimes possible.
What does stress mean for child development?
When a child is growing in the womb, many factors affect its development. During this time, which is about 40 weeks, the head, arms, legs and trunk are formed; all the major organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys are also formed. The development of the child or the genetic material is coordinated and also guided. The unborn child is supplied by the mother with all necessary substances such as nutrients, antibodies and hormones. The development of the child is also influenced by the stress to which the expectant mother is exposed. Therefore, the stress factor during pregnancy should not be underestimated at all.
A little excitement does not hurt
Everyone knows stress and is exposed to it – sometimes more, sometimes less. Whether it is high demands in professional life, a constant lack of time, arguments with the partner, the family or even existential worries are, the everyday hustle and bustle or even constantly impacting noise – in the end, stress has many faces. It is obvious that pregnant women cannot avoid it for 40 weeks. Above all, everyday stress is already part of “normal life”. No wonder women worry when they are under stress and know they are pregnant. Ultimately, they are afraid that the stress could have a negative impact on the unborn child. When the body enters a stressful situation, it begins to release stress hormones such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, as well as precursors of cortisol. As a result, the heart rate increases, the blood pressure rises, breathing becomes faster and the muscles tense up. As a result of the stress, digestive activity can sometimes also be reduced. The child feels the mother’s changes. Thus, the child’s heartbeat also accelerates. But mild stress is by no means harmful. Researchers have already made findings to the effect that mild stress and the associated increase in heartbeat lead to the child being nurtured. Physical maturation, mental abilities and motor skills improve when the child perceives and responds to the mother’s mild stress.
When stress takes over
Nevertheless, it is important that the expectant mother is not constantly exposed to stressful situations. This is because if the stress is too much, the child’s development may well be affected and the risk of severe fetal disorders increased. This can lead to premature birth, neurological as well as emotional developmental disorders, or cause a birth weight that is too low. But ADHD, poor mental abilities and also physical ailments – such as obesity or asthma – are not uncommon if the woman has been permanently under stress during pregnancy. But this does not mean that expectant mothers who are under stress automatically harm their child or that the child’s development is impaired. There are numerous cases in which expectant mothers were under constant stress, but in the end gave birth to healthy children. The following stresses and mental illnesses can subsequently cause damage, although this depends on the case: anxiety (including pregnancy-specific anxiety), depression, problematic life circumstances (problems in the relationship, physical or emotional violence), bereavement or other traumatic experiences (terrorist attacks, assaults, natural disasters). If the expectant mother notices that stress and anxiety are intensified by pregnancy, she should see a therapist or at least consult with her attending physician.
Psychotropic drugs during pregnancy
If women suffer from psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety or even obsessive-compulsive disorders), drug therapies and treatments must also be continued during pregnancy. It is important that such therapies or dosages are reduced, but not abruptly discontinued, if the physician approves.Up to now, there are demonstrably only a few psychotropic drugs that are “harmful to fertility”. It is therefore important to consult with a doctor about which medications may be taken and whether there are other ways to manage the problems during pregnancy without having to take medication. Self-attempts or changes in dosage are, without consulting the doctor, urgently to refrain.
Small time-outs are important
Stress during pregnancy does not have to occur, but it can. It is important that you also learn to confront your supervisor or partner with a “no” and sometimes also recognize which factors lead to stress. It is important to also recognize the signs of the body during pregnancy. In case of fatigue, it is advisable to seek rest. If the perceived stress gets out of hand, it also does no harm to turn off the cell phone sometimes and concentrate only on yourself and your baby. After all, it is important for mother and child that both can enjoy the time during pregnancy.
