Nervousness and arguments during pregnancy: can stress harm the baby?

Severe anxiety during pregnancy has a negative impact on the health of both the woman and the fetus. What causes increased nervousness during pregnancy, and what symptoms of stress should a pregnant woman pay special attention to? Can a single, severe stress during pregnancy cause premature labor? 

Many pregnant women also complain of stress due to increased misunderstandings in the relationship, which often lead to arguments with their husbands during pregnancy. What to do to take care of yourself and reduce stress during pregnancy?

Increased nervousness during pregnancy may be caused by external and internal factors 

When we think about stress and severe anxiety during pregnancy, the main things that come to mind are: external stressors, i.e. situations that may happen to a woman every day, e.g. emotional, also colloquially known as acute – a quarrel with your husband, an approaching deadline at work, or some unpleasant news. Remember that nervousness during pregnancy may also be related to: internal stressors — fears, worries and intrusive thoughts that intensify in many women while waiting for the birth of a child:

• fear about the child's health and maintaining the pregnancy;
• anxiety related to childbirth and labor pain;
• worries about parenting: will I be a good mother (and my partner a good father)?;
• fear of changing the current life situation (career, passions, connections);
• single or unplanned motherhood;
• arguments with her husband during pregnancy, which increase anxiety and worries about the future.

How often does stress manifest itself and severe nervousness during pregnancy?

Stressful situations cause the release of the so-called stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which disturb the body's natural adaptation mechanisms and homeostasis. symptoms severe anxiety during pregnancy it includes:

• sudden feeling of heat, rapid heartbeat, increase in blood pressure;
• feeling of pins and needles in the chest, shaking hands;
• rapid breathing, sometimes dizziness and headache;
• gastrointestinal complaints: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (e.g. after an emotional, acute argument with her husband, stressful conversation with her boss);
• appetite disorders, so-called stress eating or, on the contrary, loss of appetite.

As a result of a single, severe stress or permanent mental tension, a woman may also feel an uncontrollable desire to reach for something stimulants not recommended during pregnancy including: alcohol or cigarettes. Chronic stress increases the risk of hypertension, depressive disorders and impairs the functioning of the immune system, making pregnant women more susceptible to various types of infections.

It is worth remembering that not only the woman but also the fetus is exposed to the negative effects of chronic and single, severe stress during pregnancy, because stress hormones are able to penetrate the placenta, affecting the baby.

Jsingle, severe stress during pregnancy and chronic stress: how can they affect fetal development?

For some women, a single, severe stress during pregnancy may lead to, among others: down:

• vaginal bleeding;
• miscarriages;
• premature birth (especially in a pregnancy at risk of premature birth).

These two factors particularly predispose the newborn to other serious complications, including: respiratory distress syndrome, developmental disorders in the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems.

Emotions and quarrels with your husband during pregnancy: reasons, how to reach an agreement?

There may be many reasons for misunderstandings and quarrels, but the increased nervousness of a pregnant woman is influenced by the previously mentioned hormonal fluctuations and increased mental tension and fear related to the change in life situation.

Misunderstandings or even quarrels with a pregnant husband are not uncommon - the partner often does not understand the changes that occur in his partner as a result of pregnancy, including: reduced libido, mood swings, re-evaluation of life priorities, change in expectations towards the partner who - according to the pregnant woman - he will soon take on the role of an "exemplary" father.

Quarrels with her husband during pregnancy are often the result of... fears and stress faced by the future father. This may concern dilemmas such as: Will she cope with her new role, will she be able to provide for and provide security for her family, will her partner and the relationship itself change beyond recognition after giving birth? Although such a "sharp", emotional quarrel during pregnancy often causes the so-called clearing the atmosphere in the relationship. Let's remember that this is a strong, one-time stress for a woman, which she should avoid during pregnancy.

In dealing with tension and misunderstandings in a relationship, the most helpful are regular, honest conversations, devoid of the so-called taboo topics. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid misunderstandings and arguments during pregnancy. Participating in antenatal classes together is also very helpful in relieving the stress associated with waiting for the birth of a child.

If partners feel overwhelmed by upcoming life changes, often argue and cannot reach an agreement, it is worth seeking professional help together. mediator, psychologist and/ or psychotherapist.

How to limit nervousness during pregnancyy?

First of all, a future mother should take care of herself, focusing on the basics: adequate amount of sleep and rest (naps are welcome), a healthy diet and avoiding stressful situations.

Meetings and conversations with supportive people also play a key role in reducing stress during pregnancy - it may be a partner, friends, family members. If a pregnant woman does not find the understanding she needs in her environment, the best solution is to seek help from a psychologist or psychotherapist who will provide the pregnant woman with professional support and help her find effective strategies for coping with life's challenges and stress.