Home » Health & Wellness » Pregnancy & Childbirth » Stress and Pregnancy

Stress and Pregnancy

© March of Dimes Foundation

Pregnancy is a special time for a woman and her family. It is a time of many changes: in a pregnant woman's body, in her emotions, and in the life of her family. These changes (as welcome as they may be) often add new stresses to the lives of busy pregnant women, who already face many demands at home and at work.

Stress, however, does not have to be all bad. When managed properly, stress can provide us with the drive to meet new challenges. A pregnant woman (or anyone else) who feels she is coping well with stress, feeling energized, rather than drained, and functioning well at home and work probably does not face health risks from stress.

However, when stress builds up to uncomfortable levels, it can be harmful for pregnant women or anyone else. In the short term, a high level of stress can cause fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety, poor appetite or overeating, headaches and backaches. When high levels of stress continue for long periods, it can contribute to potentially serious health problems, such as lowered resistance to infectious diseases, high blood pressure and heart disease. Studies also suggest that high levels of stress may pose special risks during pregnancy.

Pregnancy's unique pressures

Pregnancy-related discomforts (such as nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, swelling and backache) can be stressful, especially if a pregnant woman attempts to accomplish everything she did prior to pregnancy. A pregnant woman can help reduce her stress by recognizing that these symptoms are temporary and that there are ways to cope with them that the health care provider can recommend. She also can consider cutting back on unnecessary activities when she is uncomfortable.

Hormonal changes may be partly responsible for the mood swings experienced during pregnancy. These mood swings are common and normal, so a pregnant woman should not be overly concerned about them. However, she should keep in mind that they may sometimes make it more difficult for her to cope with stress.

In addition, many pregnant women and their partners worry about the health of their baby, their ability to cope with labor and delivery, and their abilities to become good parents. Added financial responsibilities are another common source of stress, especially if the parents anticipate a brief or long-term reduction in income after the baby is born. All of these worries can be magnified if there is a high-risk pregnancy, where the pregnant woman must leave her job early and possibly significantly reduce her activity or stay in bed for an extended period of time.

The copyright of the article Stress and Pregnancy in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by March of Dimes Foundation. Permission to republish Stress and Pregnancy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.