When the life grows inside the mother, from one cell to a complete living being, she goes through countless changes. It is an exciting time in her life. There is constant fussing on eating right, exercising, regular check-ups, morning sickness and changes in daily routine. What the mother eats, drinks, listens or even thinks, affects the growing foetus inside her. During pregnancy, the mother’s thoughts are connected with the unborn child. Neuro-hormones communicate everything the mother feels and thinks, with the child. Though minor stress due to changes in hormones is normal, regular stress in a mother during pregnancy can affect the development of the unborn child and sometimes this damage could be for life.
When a person is stressed, the body sends a surge of cortisol and other stress hormones that urge the body to direct energy to the body muscles which also causes the heart to pump faster. This is our body’s mechanism to cope up with stress. If the level of stress is minor, the body returns to normal state quickly. But if this stress becomes chronic, and the emotional well-being of the mother is not balanced, the body mechanism falls short in coping effectively with the stress effects. This triggers an inflammatory reaction.
The mother’s disposition can affect the function of the placenta in her womb. Chronic stress will increase the level of cortisol which directly affects development of the baby’s brain. Research also suggests that if the mother is exposed to constant stress and anxiety, it can lead to changes in genetic expression in the child. This means that though the DNA sequence is not affected, the control of the genes is altered. Stress affects the child’s brain development and cope-up mechanism. It is observed that children born to mothers who were constantly under stress during pregnancy, develop behavioral disorders, lower IQ and sometimes easily fall prey to depression and anxiety during their growth stages.
It is crucial that along with physical heath and pre-natal consultation, mental well-being and therapy should be a part of obstetric care. Here is how you can cope up with stress during pregnancy.
Talk it out
Turn to your partner, elder in the family, friend or your physician for help. There is no shame in admitting your insecurities and discussing your worries. Without any inhibitions discuss matters with your consulting physician.
Rest well
Focus on yourself at the moment. Take good amount of sleep and unwind you brain. Relaxing and resting will improve blood circulation, especially in the uterus, supplying adequate nourishment to the baby. It will lower the levels of catecholamines, which if higher, can cause contractions.
Eat right
Taking a balanced diet ensures that you and your child gets the appropriate nutrition. Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals along with proteins. At times the underlying cause of continuous mood swings, anxiety and stress can be deficiency of vitamins like B12, folic acid etc. External factor may only be the trigger. A health check-up followed by prescribed supplements by your doctor can overcome the deficiencies. Eat clean and eat healthy food that makes you feel good. Drink good amount of water and keep yourself hydrated.
Exercise
It is perfectly safe to exercise or practice yoga during pregnancy. Easy and low intensity exercises will make you feel good and also benefit the baby. The metabolism boost will support the child’s growth and brain development. Learn the pregnancy yoga techniques and practice daily. However, consult your doctor before practicing any of these postures on your own.
Meditate
Breathing techniques and meditation will help you bring down the anxiety and also control the blood pressure. Breathing exercise will increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and help you and your baby relax.
As the foetus develops sense, it understands and responds to the mother’s moods. If you are happy, relaxed and positive, the child is going to sense that too. The partner plays an important role and can be supportive and empathizing towards the mother. Spend as much time together as possible and engage in happy activities like reading about child birth, taking prenatal preparation classes, meditate and exercise or just relax together listening to good music. Pregnancy has to be celebrated because this is a once or maybe twice in a life-time experience. It is a time to rejoice and prepare to welcome a new life into this world.
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