Stress and Pregnancy (and Pre-Pregnancy Too)
Posted on December 23, 2008
A study in Denmark is suggesting that prematurity might be caused by stress prior to pregnancy. The article in the BBC News suggests that women who experience sever stress six months prior to pregnancy are more likely to experience premature birth, i.e., the birth of their baby before 37 weeks gestation.
The prematurity rates in the U.S. are 12.7 percent of all births (as of 2005 source: Peristats). That equates to 1 premature baby for every 8 births. A pretty scary number. And this number continues to rise each year. When a woman has utilized fertility treatments to become pregnant the risk of premature birth increases to about 15 percent (from 1 in 8 to 1 in 7). I’ve often wondered why the slight increase in risk of premature birth, excluding twins or high-order multiples, for women who became pregnant with assisted reproductive technologies. They didn’t mention infertility in this article, but I think the stress of infertility can be applied to their logic.
This article in the BBC addresses many life issues that can cause stress. A woman without a partner is more likely to give birth prematurely. If she has lost a family member or has experienced serious illness in the family, she’s more likely to give birth too soon. The article states that the effect of stress hormones can impact the womb. I don’t know about you, but my infertility journey was one of the most stressful life events I’ve experienced, only second to the premature birth of my twins.
While researchers are working diligently to determine what causes a woman to give birth too soon, other people continue to comment on my blog that prematurity is completely preventable (see the last comment at My Story). I take full responsibility for the premature birth of my twins. I used IVF/ICSI to get pregnant and as such put myself and my unborn babies at risk. At the time I didn’t know that 2 out of 3 twin pregnancies end too soon. Believe me, I know all of the risks now. However, there are many other reasons babies are born too soon. The research discussed in the BBC article is proof that there are circumstances beyond our control that may impact our pregnancies.
What I have learned through my volunteerism with the March of Dimes by attending conferences and talking with doctors is that we can do a few things to prepare our bodies for a baby. I think many of these concepts apply to infertility as well.
1. Eat healthy foods. We all know that eating well is good for our bodies and our energy levels. However, many people still eat poorly. Premature birth and infertility have been tied to obesity. While eating well is difficult during the holidays, the new year gives us a great reason to start new eating habits (notice I didn’t say diet – I’m anti-diet, but pro-healthy eating). I’ve introduced rice pasta into our diets and even though my husband protested at first, he actually likes it now. I need to reduce my sugar intake – something hard to do with cookies in the kitchen!
2. Exercise. I notice that when I exercise on a regular basis I have more energy and I feel better about myself. Even though my body isn’t changing shape, it feels good to get my body moving. Exercise is proven to help fight of disease too.
3. Take a multivitamin. An article I read in my doctors office recently listed many benefits of taking a multivitamin. I’m not a health professional, but the article stated that a multivitamin could reduce the chances of heart problems, cancer, and cataracts. A simple little pill each day might do wonders for your body. I recently got into the habit of taking mine and I swear it’s kept me healthier by giving my body the nutrients to fight of colds and the flu (we’ll ignore my bout with shingles…)
4. Remove unnecessary stress. Yes, I hate this one too, but it’s true. Notice I said “unnecessary stress” which is different than stress. Some stress in our lives is good. It motivates us to meet deadlines or accomplish goals. However, the unnecessary stress is stuff that doesn’t serve us, such as a work or family conflict. Is there a way you could resolve the conflict to remove that negativity from your life and your body. Or jealousy of a friend’s pregnancy or healthy baby (I know I experienced this). What can you do to change the way you think about that friend so that you can be happy for them, but be okay being sad for you?
I want to know, what are you going to do in 2009 to remove the unnecessary stress out of your life and from your body?
» Filed Under Premature Births, pregnancy
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9 Responses to “Stress and Pregnancy (and Pre-Pregnancy Too)”
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Your thoughts about the stress of ART make total sense to me. I had a pregnancy immediately before my preemie was conceived that ended rather dramatically with emergency surgery. The three weeks leading up to the end of that pregnancy were extremely stressful, and I’ve always had a gut feeling my daughter’s early arrival was somehow related.
Thanks for sharing those tips for a healthy pregnancy!
-Kristie
So much for Moms to worry about – now we get stressed about having to much stress! Music can be really effective for stress relief and the best thing is it’s cheap and really easy to use. Studies in Taiwan showed that Moms who listened to half an hours relaxing music every day showed a marked decrease in depression, stress and anxiety. A relaxed Mom leads to a relaxed baby – both in the womb and out.
As my daughter is passing from pregnancy period,i read many articles,related news about stress and pregnancy.I get multivitamin related details new from here,its really informative.
Yes we all know that no stress is best not for only pregnancy but if it’s possible for everyone as well do it every times.
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Hi,
Great site!!!!! Good health is very important with the high cost of medical coverage. We need to have a healther lifestyle by taking care of our health eating and exercising and avoiding stress. I am a cancer survivor and I know. Our health is our greatest asset. Keep up the Good Work!!!!!
I’m now 19 and experiencing being a dad. I must say although it feels good it’s still hard. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but to be honest, the hard part is having to balance time. My daughter is great and makes managing her never dreadful. -Teen dad
We all know stress isn’t good for us or our baby/babies but it is very difficult not to feel it especially with a twin or multiple pregnancy. Try not to worry, put your feet up as much as possible and what will be will be.
I am going through some tremendous stress right now due to tenants trashing my house. (I live far away from my property in a different state, and I just discovered that the property manager has not been doing his job.)
We are now being forced to sell the property because we cannot afford to fix and maintain it any longer.
I am 21 weeks pregnant and I am terrified that my stress and sleeplessness are doing harm