Pregnant women experiencing chronic stress have an increased risk of the unborn child developing various psychological and physical diseases. Here are tips to reduce their stress.
Pregnant women experiencing stress have an adverse effect on unborn child.
The study also revealed that pregnant women experiencing chronic stress have an increased risk of the unborn child developing various psychological and physical diseases like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or cardiovascular diseases later in life. The precise mechanism of how stress affects the baby in the womb is not yet been completely clarified.
Researchers studied 34 pregnant women to determine if the placenta releases stress hormones when the mother experiences short term stress and compared the cortisol level in the mother's saliva with the CRH level in the amniotic fluid present in the placenta and determined that there was no connection: "The baby obviously remains protected against negative effects in case of acute, short-term stress to the mother," co-author Ulrike Ehlert concludes.
Chronic stress can affect the fetus size. When stressed, the human body releases hormones to handle the higher stress levels, such as corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), which results in an increase in stress hormone called cortisol. It was noted that during pregnancy the placenta which is responsible for providing nutrition to the fetus also increases cortisol levels in the amniotic fluid. The result was noted in fetal size at the time of the amniocentesis and at birth, and they found that higher levels of the stress hormone in the amniotic fluid were associated with accelerated growth and that might be a problem for developing organs.
The effect of the hormone on growth is confirmed, as it was observed in animals such as tadpoles, if their pond is on the verge of drying out, CRH is released in tadpoles, thereby driving their metamorphosis. This is why psychologists have advised women experiencing immense chronic stress to "seek support from a therapist to handle the stress better." Stress during pregnancy cannot always be avoided, however. "A secure bond between the mother and child after the birth can neutralize n negative effects of stress during pregnancy," La Marca-Ghaemmaghami concluded.
7 Tips to manage stress and anxiety during pregnancy:
1. First try to identify the source of your stress so you can work to remove them from your life or minimize their effect.
2. Get a regular exercise regime like walking or swimming for stress relief.
Exercise is a great stress buster
3. When you're pregnant, the people around you want to nurture you. Let them, and ask fro support when you need someone to talk to.
4. Take a break, go for a vacation. Check with your doctor about your travel plans.
5. Reading about pregnancy and listening to others stories is fine but do not delve into too much information. Each person has a different experience of being pregnant.
6. Relax. With so much effort to prepare for the baby, sometimes all you need to do is relax. Try yoga or meditation, or simply carve out some alone time.
Yoga never fails you!
7. Do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet so you have the physical and emotional energy you need.
A well-balanced meal keep you up and active
(With Inputs from ANI)
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