How Does Stress Impact Pregnancy?

Reducing stress is important for preventing problems during your pregnancy and for reducing your risk for health problems that may affect your developing child. Identify the source of your stress and take steps to remove it or lessen it. Make sure you get enough exercise (under a doctor’s supervision), eat healthy foods, and get lots of sleep.

It is known that stress during pregnancy can lead to increased risk of complications early pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses extreme stress can lead to premature labour, premature birth and low birth-weight babies. Newer studies are finding indications that prenatal stress can also increase the risk of a baby being born with asthma or allergies.

You should feel comfortable talking about stress with your doctor, family, and friends.

If you think that you are feeling stress because of uncertainty or fear about becoming a mother, experiencing work-related stress, or worrying about miscarriage, talk to your doctor as it could be that your concerns are natural for any new parent. Your doctor will be able to help determine if you stress is something more severe like depression as in some cases additional treatment may be necessary to help ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.