Of course! No pregnant mother wants to be stressed, but if avoiding all worries is impossible, mothers must quickly understand, learn, and adapt. Stress-relieving activities for themselves and, importantly, support from those around them—husbands, family, and friends—are crucial encouragement. The more positive or cheerful the mother is, the better it is for the fetus.
Why do pregnant mothers often experience stress?
During pregnancy, mothers often worry about changes in their bodies, such as weight, living conditions, frequent urination at night, nausea, vomiting, inability to eat, and taking great care of themselves to prevent abnormalities in the fetus. Postpartum worries usually involve concerns about whether they can take good care of their baby.
The main causes of stress in pregnant mothers are
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase stress and emotional sensitivity in mothers.
- Worries that arise during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Did you know? Stress can be passed from mother to baby (in the womb)
When a pregnant mother is stressed, the body releases two hormones: cortisol and adrenaline. The effects of stress can be divided into two sides: the mother and the fetus, as follows…
- Mother’s side When a pregnant mother is stressed, she may lose her appetite or eat more than usual, have insomnia, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. This lowers the immune system, making infections more likely. Additionally, the body releases adrenaline, causing blood vessels to constrict, high blood pressure, and a faster heartbeat.
- Fetus’s side Initially, severe maternal stress may cause miscarriage in early pregnancy or insufficient nutrition for the baby. This results in slow growth and a higher chance of premature birth. After birth, it can lead to a difficult baby who is fussy, sensitive, easily angered, and reactive. In the long term, the child may have social adjustment problems and an increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Understanding, learning, accepting, and adapting are the best methods for pregnant mothers
Stress during pregnancy is hard to avoid. The easiest way is to recognize when you are stressed and understand that this stress comes from natural hormones and personal worries. Every mother should understand, learn, and accept bodily changes or find ways to cope early on, such as relaxation techniques and stress-relieving activities. These may be activities you already enjoy or new ones you want to try, such as watching movies, listening to music, doing art, arranging flowers, drawing, light exercise like yoga or swimming, meditation, changing the atmosphere by dining out, or meeting friends.
Moreover, people around the mother play an important role in reducing her stress, especially the husband and family members. They should understand the nature of pregnancy, including emotional changes and worries, and provide close care and as much encouragement as possible.
“Positive thinking” helps reduce stress in pregnant mothers
Each pregnant mother shows stress differently. Some mothers who adapt well will be in a good mood during pregnancy, think about their baby, and plan for childcare in advance.
However, some mothers tend to experience postpartum depression or Postpartum Blues, mostly occurring within one month after childbirth. It often happens in first-time mothers or those who are older during pregnancy. Symptoms include being easily triggered, sensitive, very worried, and having little rest due to nearly 24-hour childcare. The treatment for postpartum depression depends on the severity of the mother’s stress. If not severe, doctors recommend talking and encouraging each other within the family. But if stress accumulates, it is important to see a doctor for advice promptly.
