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Stress in pregnancy can have consequences for the baby, because there may be hormonal changes, in blood pressure and the woman's immune system, which can interfere with the baby's development and increase the risk of infections, in addition to favoring premature birth and birth of the baby with low weight.
These consequences are due to the baby's exposure to inflammatory cytokines and cortisol produced by the woman's body during the period of stress and which can cross the placenta and reach the baby. Thus, to avoid the consequences, it is important that the woman try to relax during pregnancy, being important to rest, do activities of pleasure and have a healthy diet.
Possible consequences of stress
It is normal for women to be stressed, nervous and anxious, mainly in the last weeks of pregnancy, however frequent stress can increase the release of inflammatory cytokines and cortisol, which is the stress-related hormone, which can cross the placenta and reach to the baby and may interfere with its development. Thus, some of the possible consequences of pregnancy stress for the baby are:
- Increased risk of allergies, because excess cortisol causes the baby to produce more immunoglobulin E, a substance linked to allergies, such as asthma, for example;
- Low birth weight due to decreased amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the baby;
- Increased chances of premature birth due to faster maturation of the systems and increased muscle tension in the mother;
- Higher insulin resistance and higher risk of obesity in adulthood due to exposure to inflammatory cytokines;
- Increased risk of heart disease due to unbalanced adrenal sympathetic system;
- Brain disorders such as learning difficulties, hyperactivity and increased risk of disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia due to repeated exposure to cortisol.
However, these changes are more frequent when the woman is stressed and frequently nervous.
How to Relieve Stress in Pregnancy
To reduce stress during pregnancy and thus avoid complications for the baby and promote a feeling of well-being in women, it is important that some strategies are adopted, such as:
- Talk to a trusted person and tell the reason for the anxiety, asking for help to deal with the problem;
- Rest as much as possible and focus on the baby, remembering that he can hear you and be your companion for life;
- Have a healthy diet, consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole foods, and avoiding sweets and fats;
- Do physical activity regularly, such as walking and water aerobics, as it helps to relieve stress and produce hormones that give the feeling of well-being;
- Doing activities you enjoy, such as watching comedy movies, taking relaxing baths and listening to music;
- Take soothing teas like chamomile tea and passion fruit juice, which can be consumed up to 3 times a day;
- Do complementary therapy, how to practice yoga, meditation, relaxing massages or using aromatherapy to relax.
If the symptoms of stress do not improve or in case of depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you should see your doctor so that he can prescribe specific remedies when necessary. Anxiolytics and antidepressants may be indicated but should only be used under medical advice.
Here are some feeding tips in the following video that help reduce stress:
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team