What are side effects of stress during pregnancy?

Question

Just wondering if anyone has been there...stress during pregnancy. I'm beginning my second tri-mester and due to circumstances outside of my control, I am extremely stressed out. Anyone out there know about the effects of stress during pregnancy? I'm talking about what the stress can do to you and the baby. I know all about relaxation and such, that's not what I'm looking for. Just different ways that stress can take it's toll, mainly physically for both baby and me. And yes, I have an OB and three other kids, I'm just putting this out there for all you moms who have been through this and can offer me some information based on reality. I guess I'm just curious. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I've often wondered this myself having had 3 children and been through some rough times. I did some research and found that there is a greater risk of miscarriage late in the first trimester and more premature/low weight babies if there has been severe stress in early pregnancy.

But you are in your second trimester, and there are also studies that have shown there is more of a "buffer" for the effects of stress later in the pregnancy, although they don't know why. So I would not worry so much about it now.

Here's something really interesting to prove that point (I found it on Dr Spock):

"One interesting report surveyed pregnant women in California after the Northridge earthquake--which registered 6.8 on the Richter scale. It found that the earthquake was rated MOST stressful by mothers in their first trimester and LEAST stressful by those in their third trimester. Postpartum women showed similar levels of stress to first trimester mothers. This pattern of responses indicates that an advanced pregnancy may somewhat protect women from the psychological effects of acute stress."

Personally, I think it must be due to hormones, which surge in early pregnany, and then later during the postpartum time. Women are more "vulnerable" at these times.

Interesting question!

Answer 2

A very very high level of stress can cause miscarriages: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20030605/how-stress-causes-miscarriage

But SOME stress is okay and in one study even GOOD for the baby: Page 7 of "Baby & You" magazine Spring/Summer 2007 edition cited John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with this study....

" Some stress during pregnancy may actually benefit your baby. According to a recent study, women who experienced MODERATE levels of stress later in their pregnancy had children who were somewhat more advanced mentally at age 2"

Again that was a study done by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Answer 3

My doc said it would do nothing to baby, as for mom, stress will just wear you out. I went through crazy stupid stress in my 2nd trimester, not only am I a social worker for psyc. patients but my alcoholic mother was treating me really bad. Doc says that until week 28 there wont be negative effects. It is your reaction to the stress, so chill out, and relax.