Effects of stress during pregnancy on the fetus [Doctor-supervised]

Introduction

Pregnancy causes various stresses for many women. You may find yourself irritated by the words and actions of others or minor environmental noises that you would not have paid attention to before pregnancy. During pregnancy, the balance of female hormones changes significantly, which tends to cause emotional ups and downs, such as anger, sadness, depression, and crying. In addition, since the physical condition and balance of female hormones differs in the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy, it is important to find a method of stress relief that is appropriate for each stage and to deal effectively with feelings of irritation and anxiety. Please use this article as a reference to deal with stress effectively and give birth safely.

Feeling stressed during pregnancy

There are many factors that can make you feel stressed during pregnancy. Here are three typical things that can cause stress.

Changes in physical condition and shape during pregnancy

Not only are physical changes such as morning sickness, rough skin, back pain, constipation, and swelling stressful, but changes in body shape such as weight gain, enlarged breasts and stomach, and the appearance of stretch marks can also be stressful. Weight management during pregnancy can be particularly difficult.

Family and other human relationships

When a woman becomes pregnant, her role changes: the wife becomes a mother, and the husband becomes a father. Relationships with relatives also change, as they must inform their parents and parents-in-law of the pregnancy and birth, and think about life after the birth. Many mothers feel stressed by these changes and the care they have to take.

Also, if you have older children, pregnancy can cause them to regress to babyhood. The duration and extent of this will vary depending on the child’s age and personality, but child behavior such as not listening to instructions or crying loudly can make parenting more difficult than usual, which can be a source of stress.

Money and work

It costs money to raise a child. You also need money to prepare before the birth. In the case of dual-income families, future plans will change greatly depending on whether the mother takes maternity leave or childcare leave, or quits her job. When you think about the costs of childbirth and childcare, you may feel anxious.

During pregnancy, commuting and working can be more mentally and physically stressful than ever before. It is also not uncommon to feel stressed when thinking about adjusting your work duties during pregnancy, when you will return to work after leave, and how you will work again.

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Reasons why you may feel stressed during pregnancy

Why do women become irritated and stressed over small things when they are pregnant? When will they stop feeling stressed? Let’s explore the reasons.

Autonomic nervous system disorders during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the balance of female hormones changes significantly. Changes in the balance of female hormones affect the autonomic nervous system. In particular, progesterone is a female hormone that is likely to cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and mood swings. Progesterone also affects the hypothalamus, which regulates the function of the autonomic nervous system, making it difficult to control emotions.

The autonomic nervous system unconsciously regulates bodily functions, such as regulating internal organ functions and body temperature, without one’s will. There are two main types of nervous system: sympathetic and parasympathetic. The characteristics of each will be explained in detail in the next section.

Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have the following functions:

Sympathetic nervous system	Parasympathetic nervous system
Tension, excitement, activity	relax

We maintain our physical and mental health by balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. However, during pregnancy, various anxieties such as changes in physical condition, miscarriage, premature birth, and the health of the fetus can cause great stress, and the sympathetic nervous system often becomes dominant.

When the sympathetic nervous system continues to dominate, the mind and body are constantly tense and active. In addition to symptoms such as heart palpitations and sweating, similar to those experienced when meeting someone you admire or love, you may also experience other symptoms such as irritability, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, dizziness, and headaches. Other symptoms that may occur include excess stomach acid, hyperventilation, diarrhea, and constipation.

Autonomic nervous system disorders and mental and physical disorders during pregnancy have many things in common

During pregnancy, the autonomic nervous system is easily disturbed by the influence of female hormones. Another characteristic of pregnancy is that the autonomic nervous system is easily disturbed by minor stress.

When the autonomic nervous system is out of balance, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems become unbalanced, causing various mental and physical disorders.

Anxiety, tension, general fatigue, headache, stiff shoulders, numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness, chest pounding, chest pressure, insomnia

Many of the various symptoms experienced due to autonomic nervous system disorders overlap with the physical changes experienced during pregnancy.

Therefore, it is difficult to judge whether the stress caused by pregnancy has disrupted the autonomic nervous system or whether the disruption of the autonomic nervous system is the cause of stress during pregnancy. If you feel strong stress during pregnancy and it is leading to physical and mental disorders, it is important to consult your doctor as soon as possible.

What are the main causes of stress during early pregnancy?

During the early stages of pregnancy, women often experience emotional ups and downs, such as irritability and depression, and feel unwell, which can lead to stress. One of the causes of this is the change in the balance of female hormones caused by pregnancy.

The hormones necessary for preparing for pregnancy (fertilization) include “luteinizing hormone (LH)” and “follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)” secreted during ovulation. In the early stages of pregnancy, body temperature rises due to the secretion of “gonadotropin (hCG),” and “follicular hormone (estrogen)” and “luteal hormone (progesterone)” assist in the development and formation of the placenta and endometrium.

The secretion of large amounts of the follicular hormone (estrogen) and the luteal hormone (progesterone) can easily lead to irritability and depression. Although it varies from person to person, many pregnant women suffer from headaches due to the secretion of these hormones. Morning sickness, which begins in the early stages of pregnancy, can also be a cause of stress.

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The worry of “Will my baby have a congenital disability?” is also stressful

Concerns about the growth and development of the fetus, such as “I want to give birth to a healthy baby” and “I wonder if the baby will have any disorders…”, can also be stressful during pregnancy. Pregnancy is already full of stress. In order to reduce anxiety related to the growth and development of the fetus, we recommend NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) .

Early diagnosis of fetal health risks with NIPT (new type prenatal testing)

Pregnancy is a delicate period both physically and mentally. Many women dream of their future with their baby, but at the same time worry about miscarriage, premature birth, congenital diseases, etc., which causes them great stress. NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) can check the risk of congenital diseases caused by chromosomal abnormalities.

NIPT (New Prenatal Test) by Hiro Clinic NIPT

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is a screening test that examines the risk of congenital diseases caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus using only maternal blood. It is said to be able to detect positive risks of Down syndrome (trisomy 21) , Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) , Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), etc. with a high accuracy of 99.9%.

At Hiro Clinic NIPT , we can perform the test from about the 6th week of pregnancy (when pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound). The test involves drawing a small amount of blood from the mother’s arm and has no direct effect on the fetus. Fetal chromosomal abnormalities not only lead to congenital disorders such as Down’s syndrome, but also often lead to miscarriage. Being aware of these risks and preparing for them early in pregnancy may help reduce anxiety, even if only a little.

For a healthy pregnancy, if you have any questions or concerns about NIPT or Down syndrome, please contact Hiro Clinic NIPT .

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What are the main causes of stress during pregnancy?

The middle of pregnancy is known as the stable period, when morning sickness subsides. However, various changes occur in the body of a pregnant woman. As the fetus grows, many pregnant women suffer from symptoms such as abdominal distension, edema, and anemia, and restrictions on their movements cause great stress.

What are the main causes of stress during late pregnancy?

In the later stages of pregnancy, your belly will get bigger, and your daily activities will be more restricted than in the middle stages. Many pregnant women suffer from lower abdominal pain and frequent urination due to the pressure on the bladder caused by the enlarged uterus. In some cases, palpitations and urinary incontinence can cause shallow sleep at night, which can be stressful.

The effects of stress during pregnancy on the fetus

It is said that various stresses felt during pregnancy also affect the development of the fetus. When the mother feels stress, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, causing blood vessels to constrict and muscles to tense up, resulting in insufficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for the growth of the fetus. Here, we will explain in detail the effects of stress on the fetus.

The fetus suffers from oxygen and nutritional deficiencies

When the mother feels strong stress, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant. The sympathetic nervous system increases blood pressure and causes vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction is when blood vessels are constricted, like when you put pressure on the end of a water hose with your fingers and the water gushes out forcefully. This alone may make you think that your blood flow is improving, but when the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, more blood is distributed to the heart, and the liver, digestive organs, uterus, and other internal organs are left behind.

The fetus receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood flowing through the placenta and umbilical cord and grows. However, if the mother’s sympathetic nervous system continues to be dominant, blood flow to the placenta and umbilical cord becomes difficult, and the fetus cannot receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow. This can lead to oxygen deficiency and delayed development.

The effects of stress hormones on the fetus

Cortisol is a hormone that is secreted when you feel strong stress for a long period of time. It is also known as the stress hormone, and its secretion does not stop even during pregnancy.

Cortisol does not pass through a healthy placenta, so it is believed to have no effect on the fetus. However, if there is a problem with the placenta for some reason, it is believed that cortisol is transmitted to the fetus, increasing the risk of neurological disorders and low birth weight. It is not yet clear how to prevent cortisol from flowing to the fetus.

It is important to be careful about stress during pregnancy in order to avoid hindering the growth of the fetus and to reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure in the future.

The relationship between stress during pregnancy and developmental disorders

Cortisol has been reported to affect the development of the fetus’ nervous system. Specifically, it can cause the fetus to become irritable and restless, and increase the risk of developing depression and ADHD (attention deficit disorder) in the future. Although the probability of developing these conditions has not yet been clarified, it is best to avoid excessive stress in order to reduce the risk.

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How to relieve stress during pregnancy

Pregnant women experience a variety of stresses, and if left unchecked, they often become depressed. Mothers who are particularly sensitive and highly emotional, known as HSPs (highly sensitive people), tend to feel excessive stress over trivial matters and have low self-esteem, which can make them more likely to lose confidence in becoming a mother.

It is important to communicate your feelings to your partner or family before the stress causes more stress. We also recommend trying the following methods to relieve and release stress.

Do light exercise, such as walking

Being exposed to sunlight stimulates the secretion of serotonin, which is expected to have a calming effect on the mind. If you are in good health, light exercise such as walking is also recommended. If you are worried about going outside, even just tapping your feet indoors can help relieve stress.

Sing loudly/sing

Expressing your emotions by speaking out loud or singing can also help relieve stress. Specifically, it is recommended to voice your current emotions or sing your favorite songs.

Watch a tear-jerking movie and cry your heart out

Crying over other people’s events or emotions, such as watching a tear-jerking movie, consumes a lot of energy, so expressing your emotions can help relieve stress. Also, because you’re not crying about your own emotions or worries, you don’t carry those emotions with you, and you feel refreshed afterwards.

Get a good night’s sleep

Sleep not only helps you recover, but it also has the effect of resting your brain and regulating the functioning of your autonomic nervous system. During pregnancy, it is not uncommon to be unable to get a good night’s sleep due to morning sickness, fetal movements, and a growing belly. If you are unable to get a good night’s sleep, try to get some sleep by lying down during the day and resting your body.

Consult your doctor

If you have tried various stress relief and release methods but your feelings of distress do not improve, consult your doctor. Early consultation can help minimize the impact on your baby.

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Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about stress during pregnancy. Please refer to the following information.

• Q

  Is there a relationship between stress during pregnancy and Down syndrome?
  Down syndrome (21 trisomy) is a congenital disorder caused by chromosomal abnormalities.
  
  Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality, but it is mainly caused by the deterioration of eggs and sperm due to old age, and stress and excessive cortisol secretion during pregnancy do not cause Down syndrome.