The Relationship Between Psychological Stress and Pregnancy

Psychological stress like depression and panic are quite common in pregnancy. In fact, mild to moderate stress is reported by one-third to more than respondents in healthy populations of pregnancy women across the globe, according to an article by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. These have been associated with a number of poor outcomes thus affecting both maternal and fetal well-being.

High blood pressure and low-birth weight baby are quite common results of emotional stress on the developing fetus. In fact, mood swings make it quite hard to handle the anxiety. Therefore, if you are undergoing ICSI pregnancy and experiencing stressful times, here’s what you must know. This will help you take an informed decision and negate the chances of unhealthy child.

How Does Stress Impact Pregnancy?

The body and mind are undergoing major transformations during pregnancy. The hormones are also changing and you might face bouts of morning sickness, backache and fatigue. During these sensitive times, maternal anxiety is common. However, it can affect how your ICSI pregnancy unfolds. For example, there could be changes in the blood flow to the uterus and this might impact implantation.

Oxidative stress is another major complication caused by anxiety and distress. This is a damage caused by a spike in oxidants like oxygen species and free radicals. These have the potential to cause preeclampsia and preterm birth. The other complications could be fetal growth, preterm labor, miscarriage and even infertility.

Chronic psychological stress might also lead to eating problems. You might either eat too much or too little; both comes with consequences. Obsessive eating could lead to obesity which subsequently leads to gestational hypertension, diabetes mellitus and congenital defects. Also, loss of appetite could keep you hungry causing nausea and vomiting.

The other common side effects of psychological stress are disturbed sleep patterns, fast breathing and restlessness, negative thoughts, trouble relaxing or calming down and racing pulse.

What Causes Pregnancy Stress?

Catastrophic life events, previous cases of depression or anxiety, long-lasting stress and natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes might be the cause behind your mental discomfort, according to an article by March of Dimes. Studies have suggested that babies can feel the maternal stress inside the womb which can impact their neurobehavioral and temperament. Therefore, it is crucial for mothers to consider a proper stress management plan.

Tips to Manage Pregnancy Stress

Whether you are undergoing ISCI in Bangalore or any part of the country, taking care of your mental health is vital. Have a look at how to ace it effortlessly for a positive end result.

• Eat plenty of healthy foods as a part of prenatal pregnancy care. These include whole grains, fruits and leafy green vegetables and proteins and vitamins. Food plays an important role in keeping the mind stable by boosting the serotonin level and cutting down on adrenaline and cortisol.
• Listen to slow music which can relax your nerves and has a profound impact on your emotions.
• Regular exercise can improve your sleep and keep mothers active and relaxed at the same time.

Further, make sure to talk to your doctor in case the stress levels are rising. Ask for help whenever required since good support can be quite effective in keeping stress and trauma at ease.