I N S I G H T S

We often think of pregnancy as a joyful time but pregnancy, for many women, can be a very stressful experience.  Some women feel tense, anxious or even fearful.  It may be the prospect of the pregnancy or perhaps it is other circumstances or life events at cause.  

First, it’s okay and normal to have those feelings. There are many ways in which you can help lessen your stress.  For example, take good care of yourself by eating healthily, take appropriate exercise, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol and rest when you need to.   You may also need to enlist the support of a family member, health professional or a counsellor to help you manage any stresses or distressing situations.  It is also important to attend all of your antenatal appointments so you understand how your pregnancy is progressing and be reassured of your well-being and that of your baby.  Relaxation techniques and therapies will also be of great assistance.

We have known for some time now, that taking substances during pregnancy such as alcohol, some drugs, caffeine and tobacco can harm your baby’s physical and mental development.  We have also become aware of the importance of managing your stress levels in pregnancy as very high levels of stress are known to contribute to pre-term birth or low birth weight in full-term babies. Scientists now understand that long term maternal stress during pregnancy can also affect the unborn baby in other ways.  For example, the stress hormone Cortisol, that reaches the baby’s womb environment, can cause low birth weight and is thought to cause high blood pressure in the future by creating the baby’s set point for blood pressure at a higher than normal level. A link between the womb environment and brain development has also been established with some recent studies suggesting that stress in the womb can affect a baby’s temperament and neuro-behavioural development.  Additionally, high stress levels during labour and birth can disrupt the normal birth process sometimes causing a longer, more difficult labour with higher pain levels as the body’s natural pain relief mechanisms are undermined.

By taking the appropriate steps to minimise your stressors in pregnancy and creating a more relaxed environment for yourself, you optimise your own health and potentially the long-term health of your baby.  Understanding the birth process and practicing relaxation techniques in pregnancy will help you enjoy your pregnancy and prepare you for a more relaxed labour and birth.

University Of Kentucky Medical Center (1999, March 10). Study Suggests Maternal Stress And Stress Hormones May Influence Fetal Brain Development In Utero. ScienceDaily.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2008, October 29). Stress During Pregnancy Has Detrimental Effect On Offspring. ScienceDaily.

Philips, DI, Walker, BR, Reynolds, RM, Flanagan, DE, Wood, Osmond, C, Barker DK & Whorwood, CB. (2000). Low birth weight predicts elevated plasma cortisol concentrations in adults from 3 populations. Hypertension. 2000 Jun;35(6):1301-6 

Interesting Web Site:  http://www.primalhealthresearch.com/introduction.php