RUNNING HEAD
Q&A with fertility expert
Zita West
How will stress affect my unborn baby?
P
regnancy is one of the most challenging experiences is a woman’s life, and some stress is inevitable. If it’s prolonged, it can affect both you and your baby, so it’s important that you understand what causes it and how to cope with it.
inducing chemicals from your blood stream – but if you’re unduly stressed, she may be getting high levels of stress chemicals, so learning to control stress early in your pregnancy will not only help you get through the nine months with ease, but will give you vital tools for the years of parenting to come.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK/ANTONIOGUILLEM
HOW THE BRAIN REACTS TO STRESS Depending in the stress or stressors, the HOW YOUR BODY RESPONDS pituitary gland in the brain and the adrenal In a stressful situation, the brain sends a signal glands, which sit at the top of the kidneys, to the adrenals to produce adrenalin and determine the amount of the stress hormone cortisol. These compounds increase your cortisol to release. blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, and Research has shown that having high levels raise your blood sugar levels, preparing your of cortisol in an expectant mother’s body over body for a ‘fight or flight’ predicament. This a long period of time is detrimental to the reaction is perfectly normal when it happens developing baby and it can cross the placenta. occasionally, but if you become stuck in a Unborn babies who are repeatedly exposed more continuous stress response, the reaction to high levels of stress chemicals have their can become chronic. The constant presence own stress response system distorted, so that of cortisol in your body also uses up B it becomes unable to regulate itself. vitamins, so you can easily Therefore, the baby, child and later become depleted of these ed Recommend the adult will overreact to stress, vital nutrients. product and her response to quite minor stressors may be overwhelming EFFECTS OF STRESS fear, anxiety or rage. ON YOUR BABY From as early as the seventh Your developing unborn Guided Relaxation Download for During Pregnancy week of pregnancy, your baby baby is particularly £9.95, zitawest.com may be receiving pleasuresusceptible to stress
chemicals and hormones from the mother in the third trimester when her brain is developing rapidly. A certain level of cortisol is good for the baby, with levels naturally rising towards the end of pregnancy to help her organs, such as the lungs, to mature. However, if the levels are continually high, your baby will be in an anxious state, her own levels of the stress hormone will rise and it may not only influence her response to stress, but also affect her cognitive function.
MANAGE YOUR MIND Identify the major stresses in your life: • Which area of your life do you most need to change? • Think about who can help and support you. • How can you change your reaction to a problem? • Implement changes: 20 minutes a day of sitting quietly, visualising or meditating will help and if you practise it regularly it will give you a greater sense of control. • Improve your breathing. • Try some gently exercise. • Protect yourself, where possible, from stressful situations (and people who make you feel anxious). • Nourish and nurture yourself.
Zita West is the founder of the Zita West Fertility Clinic which specialises in a holistic approach to IVF. Instagram: @zitawestpregnancy
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