Many women face an increase in stress and anxiety levels during pregnancy. It is not unexpected for a woman to be worried about the well being of the baby developing within her womb. Many women are also plagued with other concerns like their changing bodies, an inability to carry on normal routine and financial issues, just to name a few. However, at times, expectant mothers become over anxious and this automatically affects the health of the baby and mother alike. Stress can result in disorders like hypertension and preeclampsia in expectant mothers that can lead to miscarriages, preterm deliveries and babies with low birth weight. Stress during pregnancy has long-term effects that can pose health risks to the developing baby later on in life as well. Asthma and allergies are two such worries.
Babies born to mothers with high stress levels during the course of the pregnancy are believed to have a lower resistance to allergens like moulds, dust mites, pollen and other matter that triggers asthmatic attacks. On studying the blood obtained from the umbilical cord, it was found that babies born to mothers who experienced high levels of stress during the pregnancy had a greater amount of allergy fighting antibodies as compared with babies born to mothers with little or no stress. When stressed out, the hormones adrenaline and cortisol are released and they help the body in dealing with the situation properly. However, high stress levels during pregnancy cause an increase in the amount of cortisol and adrenaline in the mother’s blood. These hormones can also be passed on to the developing baby, thus affecting the development of the immune system. This further decreases the baby’s ability to fight off various disorders effectively.
Stress levels can be controlled through various ways. Plenty of rest is crucial when trying to keep stress levels under control. It is during this time that the mind is at ease. Regular non-strenuous exercises in the form of short walks and yoga also prove beneficial to both, baby and mother. Meditation and deep breathing exercises assist in calming the senses and relaxing the body. In addition, spending quality time with loved ones and speaking to them about your feelings goes a long way in controlling stress levels, thus curbing complications during pregnancy and long term harm to the developing baby as well. Listening to soft music, reading or pampering yourself with a relaxing massage or makeover will further help in preventing the adverse effects of stress.