Stress on your unborn baby?

Question

I am currently 16 weeks pregnant and am concerend that the stress that I have been having lately is having an effect on my baby. Last week one of my best friends was diagnosed with breast cancer (she is 29, has a 6 wk old and a 17 mnth old). Then last night my husband told me that he was offered a great position within his company but we would have to relocate to Boston (we live in Indiana). This has all been very stressful on me and I dont know how to not Be Stressed, as everyone keeps telling me. There is just no way, I am so distraught over everything. Does anyone know if stress can harm your unborn baby? I need to know what to do so that I can relax. Its hard anyway to just veg in the eve b/c I have a sweet 2 yr old that is all about mommy these days. Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks everyone.

Answer 1

Some stress on the baby is ok but too much can be bad..
Try taking a bath and relaxing forget about all that is going on around you.. However i was really high strung durring both my pregnancies and my girls turned out fine..

Answer 2

I read recently from a medical report that stress can harm an unborn baby. The mental attitude that the mother carries is "read" by the baby and in terms will effect the baby's pyschological health. If the mother has an easy-going attitude and doesn't stress a lot, the chances are the baby will grow to have that same personality. If the mother was depressed or sad or stressed throughout the pregnancy, the child has greater chances of suffering from the same growing up. I wish I could remember which article it was because I would list it. Try searching for an answer on webmd.com or any of the pregnancy information sites. Just type in stress during pregnancy and see what you can find out from true medical professionals. Good luck!

Answer 3

I will tell you that everyone on here will probably tell you that you can miscarry if you stress to much. While stress is not good for the baby... i can tell you from personal experience... your baby will be fine. When I was pregnant with my first, my boyfriend left me. He threatened to take the baby... and their were about 9 other huge stresses, I was anti depressents and anti anxiety meds that didnt' really help. I was stressed, living with my mom in a bedroom. I had to sell my truck for $1000 so I could get baby stuff at garage sales.... I didn't have maternity leave, child support, or a job (I quit my job and left my apartment to move in with the boyfriend cause we were supposed to be getting married). My baby is fine.. she is happy, healthy and 7. I am now pregnant with number two. Again my first trimester was VERY stressful, but at least this time I had a job and a place lol. But still very stressful things with the people in my life and my family, neighobors being totally rude to me and causing tension, and all that. Anyway, I am now in the second trimester and I did manage to get my stresses out of my life finally... and the baby is doing great.. I listen on my doppler everyday, and today I have my ultrasound... I am pulling my daughter out of school and we are goign to the city to see if it is a boy or girl! So stress, while not necessaryily healthy... can't always be stopped. Life goes on while you are pregnant, no exceptions. How many people walking around the world today had mothers who were stressed when pregnant? You will be fine! Congraulations

Answer 4

Stress does not go away easily. If you can learn to control it, it will be less dangerous. It's fine to think about things going on in your life, but you have to control your body's reactions to those thoughts.

You say you have a two yr old. Take your child on walks or sit and color and if you get some time away during the day, go walk around the mall.....get yourself your favorite treat to snack on, go get a massage. At night read a book, take a warm bubble bath...keep the lights down and light some candles and play some soft music. Get a foot spa and read while soaking your feet. Bake something you enjoy. There are lots and lots of ways to lower the stress levels to non dangerous ones, but you just need to figure out what works for you.

Answer 5

if you're worried, talk to you doctor for a little reassurance. but at this stage, your baby's developing all the time, whether your stressing or not.
a few tips i use to relieve anxiety-
know it's hard with a 2 year old, but take warm/hot bath before bed as often as you can, cut out caffeine, and try to be supportive and positive about your best friend.
as for the possibility of moving- man, i feel for you. guys don't understand the hormones and the need for nesting during pregnancy. sit down with your husband and discuss the pros and cons of moving and make a decision together. decide when the best time -before or after you deliver- would be better to move.
prayer is also a great stress reducer. just asking God to help you, and talk to him, telling all your fears and worries. it will be a huge relief and weight off your shoulders. God's shoulders are bigger. lol. he can handle it!
i'll say a prayer for you and your family for peace and guidance. and a healing and strength prayer for your dear friend.

Answer 6

Eating right, exercising and resting are good stress reducers. I realize that you have a 2 year old...but you can take the little ankle biter on walks with you. Take baths. Take one day at a time. Do a little packing each day. Always check up on your friend and see how she is doing and what you can do for her. Be a friend and just take things, again, a day at a time.

Stress can effect an unborn child, but children are resilient. You need to eat right and make sure you take your prenates...water. Go to your OBGYN appointments:-)

Answer 7

Stress can be bad for you and your unborn child, and your 2 year old. I think that being pregnant is stressful and that's why everything else seems so stressful. My sister is also pregnant with lots of stress, and I just tell her that she can't stress over things, you have to think positive about things instead of letting it get to you.

Answer 8

i walk through 2nd hand stores and read chicken soup books and dig out cookbook's and try something new ! and it's amazing what some people do to their babies during pregnancies and the little miracles still make it just fine / and you have very good reason's to be stressed it show's you care and you are going through lot's of live changes and situation's / also crocheting, needle point, puzzles channel energy

Answer 9

i think your doing an ok job everyone has some stress in their life and you seem to be trying your hardest to avoid it for you little ones sake and that i am happy to see a little sdtress is normal but trust me you will know when enough is enough

Answer 10

I think you'll be finve you're 16 weeks and you're most likely be safe. if anything were to happen now it would only be most likely becuase your body couldn't hold the pregnancy, i think you'll be fine