i'm 14 weeks pregnant & recently have gone through a lot of stress, should i be concerned for the baby?

Question

in the last two months, two of my grandparents have passed away and one, i was really close with, i am wondering if the added stress could be potentally harmful to my unborn child; and/or could it cause a miscarriage from the stress?

in the last two months, two of my grandparents have passed away and one, i was really close with, i ended up moving out of state with my boyfriend, got a new job and now i am wondering if the added stress could be potentally harmful to my unborn child; and/or could it cause a miscarriage from the stress?

Answer 1

I'm very sorry for your loss. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Here's an article from a book of mine that I think you might find helpful.

"Stress has, over the past couple of decades, become an important area for study because of the effect it can have on our lives. Dpeneding on how we handle and respond to it, stress can be good for us (by sparking us to perform better, to function more effectively) or it can be bad for us (when it gets out of control, overwhelming and debilitating us). If the stress at work has you working at top efficiency, has you excited and challenged, then it shouldn't be harmful to your pregnancy. But if the stress makes you anxious, sleepless or depressed, if it is causing you to experience physical symptoms (such as headache, backacke, or loss of appetite) or if it is exhausting you, then it could be harmful. In fact, research indicates that extreme prenatal maternal stress and the stress hormones it produces may increase the risk of preterm delivery or low birthweight.

Negative reactions to stress can be compounded by the normal mood swings n pregnancy. Since reactions such as appetite loss, bingeing on the wrong foods, or sleeplessness can take a toll on you - and on your baby, if allowed to continue into the second and third trimesters, learning to handle the stress should become a priority now. The following should help.

Talk about it: Allowing your anxities to surface is the best way of making sure they don't get you down. Maintain open lines of communication with your spouse, spending some tmie at the end of each day (preferably not too close to bedtime) sharing and talking out concerns and frustrations. Together you may be able to find some relief, some solutions, even some homour, in your respective situations. You may also find it helpful to talk to another family member, your practitioner, a friend, or a member of the clergy - or to join a pregnancy support group, if one is avaiable in your community. If nothing seems to help, consider professional counselling.

Do something about it: Identify sources of stress in your life and determine how they can be modified. If you're clearly trying to do too much, cut ack in areas that are not high priority. If you've taken on too many responsibilties at ome or at work, decide which can be postponed or delegated to someone else. Learn to say no to new projects or activities before you're overloaded.

Sometimes sitting down with a notepad or electronic organiser and making lists ofthe hundreds of things you need to get done (at home or at work) and the order in which you're planning to do them, can help you feel more in control of the choas in your life. Cross items off your list as they're taken care of for a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Sleep it off: Sleep is the ticker to regeneration - for mind and body. Often feelings of tension and anxiety are prompted by not getting enough shut-eye.

Nourish it: Hectic lifestyles can lead to hectic eating styles. Inadequate niurtition during pregnancy can be a double whammy; it can hamper your abilty to handle stress and it can affect your baby's growth and development. So be sure to get three large or six small square meals a day plus plenty of snacks.

Wash it away: A warm bath (but not a hot one) is an excellent way to relieve tension. Try it after a hectic day, it will also help you to sleep better.

Get away from it temporarily: Combat stress with any activity you find relaxing - sports (check first with your practitioner, and observe the guidelines), reading, a good movie, listening to music (consider taking a portable CD player with headphones to work so you can listen to relaxing music during coffee breasks and lunch, or even while you work, if that's feasible, long walks (or short ones during breaks or lunch - but be sure to leave time for eating), meditation (just close your eyes and picture a bucolic scene, or keep them open and gaze at a soothing picture or photo placed strategically in your office, biofeedback massage (ask your spouse for a back or shoulder rub, or splurge on a professional massage - but be sure the therapist is licensed and know's you're pregnant). Practice relaxation techniques, not just because they'll come in handy during childbirth, but because they can help drain the strain anytime.

Get away from it permanetly: Maybe the problem isn't worth the stress and anxiety it's generating. For example, if it's your job, consider taking early maternity leave, or cutting back to part time (if either of these options are financially feasible), or temporarily switching positions or delegating at least part of your workload to reduce stress to a managaeble level.

Remember, your stress quoitient is only going to increase once the baby is born; it makes sense to try to learn how to handle it now"

Answer 2

Some of these answers sound pretty scary on here. And it will probably just stress you out more. Relax!! I went through a lot when I was pregnant, and pregnancy itself adds stress to any situation. I went through two grandmothers passing away, and two grandmothers passing away shortly after I gave birth. Within that time I also moved away from my family, had to drop out of college, and I got married. A little stressed? Sure was! My daughter is fine!! Yes, a smoker could tell you they don't have cancer, but that doesn't make smoking ok, I know. Just take care of yourself. And if you are feeling like everything is too much, you really do need to talk to your doctor. You can do this though!! You are going to be a Mommy! And Mom's can deal with anything, right? Your body is doing everything to take care of and protect that baby, YOU are the one more likely to suffer. So take care of yourself in order to take care of your little one!

Answer 3

Well, it's POSSIBLE but not PROBABLE.
I also had a lot of stress when I was pregnant. I was probably aobut 14 weeks or so when my father got sick and died a few months after. Then my mother and my sister started having a lot of fights, and by the time my daughter was born my husband had been though 2 back surgeries.
My Dr told me not to worry that the baby could take a lot more than I expected. On your next visit, please be sure to mention all the stress. He/She will make you feel better than I can.

But if you are worried, please do see your Dr. NOW!

Answer 4

It's possible, but probley not. I can't imagine how hard it would be to loose both my grandparents at the same time. Try to counter act the stress with some nice bubble baths, a cup of cocoa, or lemonade if you prefer cold drinks, watch a good comedy on tv, and get a good nights sleep. Eat a big chocolate bar or a big piece of cake, adding pleasure to your body releases endorphines in your body which help to relieve stress. Make love with your husband, have a candlelight dinner. Whatever makes you feel good. You deserve to pamper yourself. Besides your pregnant and these are your last months to have time for yourself, so enjoy it. May God bless you and your grandparents rest in piece.

Answer 5

after 12 weeks miscarriage rick are about 3 to 5% before 12 week as high as 20 to 30%. You have passed the most dangerous point. Stress depression have been proven to effect the unborn. I understand this stress is totally out of any of your control. I think your baby will be fine. Be sure even thru this time you are taking vitamins eating and resting correctly.

Answer 6

Stress is never good, but it is worse when you are pregnant. Yes, it will effect your unborn baby one way or the other. Remember your fetus is a part of you got 40 weeks. Stress can elevate your blood pressure which leads to other problems. Try to stay as calm as you can, things will work out. I will pray for you and i wish you the best

Answer 7

Stress is never good for anyone, especially when you are pregnant. Try sitting in a quiet room and playing some relaxing music for you and the baby. This will calm you and baby down. While you are lying down try massaging your stomach and talking to the baby, this should help. Hope so anyway.

Answer 8

Before getting pregnant, I had quit my job, left my husband, got divorced, got a new job, new house and new boyfriend all within 7 months of each other. Major stress. I had deep depression from trying to conceive with my husband, and failing miserably and the resulting divorce. I felt like my would was ending, or at least that I wanted it to.

Then I got pregnant.

My boyfriend and I fought all the time while I was pregnant. There wasn't a day that went by that I don't remember sobbing heavily while I carried her. I don't know if it was my hormones stressing him out to stress me out, or what? Both of his grandmothers also had passed away during this time. I was stressed to the max, and was worried to death that I was causing her harm or that I'd miscarry from the ordeal.

Then I got in a car wreck. They checked me and the baby out at the hospital, but said everything looked fine. In the back of my mind, I had doubt which caused more worry.

I couldn't breathe while I was pregnant, and morning sickness was horrible throughout. I also began hating my new job and everyone associated with it, and for justifiable reasons.

Then, I found out my baby wasn't growing as she should've been. Something was wrong with the blood flow through the placenta. My doctor put me on bedrest in the hospital, resulting in me having to give up my job, thus resulting in loss of income. Very Stressful! I then worried that it was all my fault. Come to find out, my complication was hereditary.

Finally, an aunt of mine came by to visit me on bedrest. She gave me a prayer to recite daily, as often as I could. I rolled my eyes and thought, whatever, as this aunt is very holy rolly. But after reading it the first few times, I found myself at peace and the stress of all those years lifting away.

Yes, stress can be harmful to you and your baby, and has been known to cause miscarriages. I got very lucky to have the beautiful healthy daughter she is, despite all I went through during my pregnancy. Try to do whatever you can to relax and get these horrible events out of your mind. It's ok to grieve, and is expected. Just try not to let it get the best of you. Maybe try thinking of all the wonderful things you'll tell your child about their great-grandparents instead? Worrying if you'll miscarry is just that - worrying. Also, prayer can definitely do wonders.

Congrats and best of luck for a healthy delivery!

Answer 9

It's important to take good care of yourself while you are pregnant. If you are eating right and getting enough rest, this should help you cope with stress as well as your pregnancy. I'm so sorry to hear about your recent loss. Please seek medical attention if you feel your baby is at risk.

Answer 10

YES!! I had a miscarriage at 13 weeks. I went through the almost the same thing. My dad was in the hospital because of his heart, I lost my grandpa to cancer 3 days after my bday, huge stress at work being a manager, and problems with my boyfriend. All at the same time. Please, be very very careful. Try your best to remain calm and see your doctor. Good luck and Salud!!!