Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

As mothers we carry our babies in our womb for nine long months and with life being so busy during this time frame so many things can happen. There are studies that prove mothers who experience a considerable amount of stress during pregnancy have had children who develop a higher sensitivity to stress, when they are older they have a heightened level of anxiousness, also experience heighten fearful expressions given certain situations. 

Studies by Dr. Elysia Davies and her colleagues from the University of Denver shows that pregnant women’s stress affect the fetus in different ways. In their study, pregnant women with cortisol levels consistently higher than normal early in the pregnancy and their newborns, saw that the infants displayed a much higher sensitivity to stress than other babies.

According to Dr. Davies, After birth, every baby gets its blood drawn by the hospital. The babies of the mothers in the study displayed higher levels of cortisol themselves in response to the stress of having their blood drawn. The babies were having a bigger stress reaction.”

These children were continuously observed until toddlerhood and it was found out that they exhibited heightened levels of anxiousness compared to other children. Dr. Davis said that, “When the 2 year olds were presented a series of challenges, such as exploring a room with a balance beam or having a stranger enter the room and roll a ball to them, these toddlers consistently showed more fearful behaviours in response to what are standard laboratory measures. The toddlers would instead stand frozen by the wall or run back to their mothers instead of enthusiastically engaging in play”. She said that they showed more fearful expressions than normal.

It was also found out by a study by Prof. Vivette Glover (of the Imperial College from Wexham Park hospital, Berkshire), who measured the intelligence of more than 100 babies and toddlers whose mothers had suffered high stress in pregnancy, that the IQ of these babies were generally about 10 points below the average and that many had higher than average level of anxiety and attention deficit problems. It has therefore been concluded, that high levels of stress in pregnancy can be detrimental to the health of the baby.

So, 

Dr. Davies suggested that mothers should take care of their mental health during pregnancy. She suggested that mums should carry on with activities they enjoy doing. Be it reading a book, listening to music, going out with friends or going out for a walk. This suggests that mom to be should not stress about being stressed, instead, engage in something they love to do.

Other ways to reduce stress during pregnancy include:

  • Staying healthy and fit by eating healthy foods. – A pregnant woman needs to be nourished with proper food coming from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains with sweets and fats kept to a minimum.
  • Doing activities that will make you feel good. – Do more of the things that will make you feel good about yourself. Try to go to the mall and just have a walk, go to some baby shops and look around, looking at all those cute clothes and shoes will help you focus on that little thing growing inside of you.
  • Having a good support network which may include your family, friends, partner or spouse. – Be with people that are happy and ecstatic about you being pregnant, you don’t need negative thoughts and emotions right now, be with family and friends that you can talk and listen to. Look for people in the community that are also pregnant and have the time to make friends with them, you will be surprised on how much more they can help just by talking with them.
  • Asking help from people you trust. – If it’s difficult for you just to befriend total strangers, then your doctor will always be there to help. Trust that your doctor will always give advices benefitting you and your baby.
  • Try relaxation activities like prenatal yoga or meditation. – If you have extra time, then try to check some simple relaxation activities on the web, see what a simple breathing and stretching exercises can do.
  • If you think you are too depressed, ask your doctor about possible ways on how to cope up with this problem.  – If it’s really that serious then better seek professional help. Your doctor might be the best one to talk about it, then guide you on what you will do first.

Remember, you are bringing a new life in this world and while pregnant, whatever you feel the baby feels as well. So try to focus and always, always think about your baby and his or her well-being. Having a healthy stress free pregnancy may be impossible but it can be minimized by engaging in activities which relieves stress. Stress is unavoidable but it can be reduced, and should be, to have healthy baby.

You may also like to read:

The pregnancy dilemma- how to slow down and still live a busy life

How to keep stress at bay while you juggle work and family 

Going organic when expecting, what are the benefits

Thomas Verny (1982) The Secret Life of the Unborn Child: How You Can Prepare Your Baby For a Happy, Healthy Life. New York: Dell.