The Signs of Stress During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a wonderful thing as the miracle of life grows inside your body. But the nine months you carry your baby aren’t all rainbows and sunshine. There are many different things to worry about during your pregnancy as your body changes and a new human develops inside of you. It can be even more difficult when you don’t have all of the necessary information regarding pregnancy and aren’t prepared for everything that happens. One of those things includes stress during pregnancy.
We at Life Forward are here to help during your pregnancy so you are fully informed about your reproductive health and can get the care you need. We have experienced Client Educators who are trained, willing to listen, and provide a safe and neutral environment to help you with whatever you need.
We want you to feel heard and understood as you share intimate thoughts and feelings. We also have a team of medical professionals focusing on women’s health and well-being that you can talk to and ask questions regarding your body and your reproductive health. Please reach out to Life Forward to get started today! In order to help you stay informed and prepared during your pregnancy, we’ll share everything you need to know about the signs of stress during pregnancy.
The Relationship Between Stress and Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings about many changes for you as a mother. First, your body starts producing pregnancy hormones—like progesterone and estrogen—that can affect your mood and how you feel. On top of that, there are a lot of other things to think about while preparing for your baby’s arrival, like researching how to care for your child, developing your labor and delivery plan, taking care of your own body by eating healthy and getting enough sleep, and more.
With so many things on your plate, it’s no wonder that stress can sometimes manifest itself. That’s why pregnancy and stress are commonly linked, and why it’s so important to be aware of the risks of stress. Here are some of the most common signs of stress during pregnancy:
Headaches
Back pain
Overeating
Loss of appetite
Upset stomach
Excessive fatigue
Difficulty sleeping
Teeth-grinding
Feelings of anger, sadness, worry, frustration, or fear
Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
Difficulty concentrating
Decreased interest in being around other people
Feeling scared to be alone, or needing to always be around other people
Many of these are also common side effects of being pregnant, so they may not necessarily mean that you are stressed (just like when you aren’t pregnant, some stress is normal and healthy). However, it’s still best to keep an eye out for these signs, especially if any of these symptoms increase in severity. You should consult with your healthcare provider when you experience changes in how you feel so you can address any issues that may arise. You can also reach out to us at Life Forward for assistance!
How Does Stress Affect Pregnancy?
While some stress is normal, prolonged and heightened levels of stress can negatively affect your health, your pregnancy, and your baby. There’s evidence that mothers experiencing stress are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and higher caloric intake, which can affect their own health and, therefore, the health of their baby.
Additional research suggests that some of the effects of stress during pregnancy include an increased likelihood of preterm birth and preeclampsia. These can have a direct impact on a baby’s birth weight, delivery type, whether there are any complications, and whether a baby will need to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Other studies provide evidence that stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by a woman during pregnancy can result in adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes that can affect a child’s motor development, behavior, and long-term learning.
It’s important to be aware of the signs of stress during your pregnancy and surround yourself with a supportive community that can help you. This way, you can rely on others to assist you so you don’t have to worry about everything on your own, which can help to reduce your risk of experiencing stress.
There are times when pregnancy can be complicated and difficult, like if you are feeling stressed. But Life Forward has trained professionals who can provide support and help you navigate through any situation. Additionally, we can refer you to other community resources that can further help with your specific needs. Reach out to us today to learn more!
How Life Forward Can Help
At Life Forward, we are here to help women in the Cincinnati area who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. In addition to consultations, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds, we offer other educational and supportive services—as well as referrals to other community resources—at no cost to you.
Our staff of trained Client Educators and medical professionals will assist you and connect you to the resources and help you need. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!