Prenatal stress can affect you at any stage of gestation, and even though it’s a natural part of pregnancy, knowing what’s considered a “normal” level of stress vs what might have more severe consequences is important.

If you’ve ever wondered:does stress affect pregnancy?, read on — we’re looking at the causes, effects, and how you can find stress relief.

Understanding Stress During Pregnancy

Normal vs. constant stress

A reasonable amount of stress during pregnancy is considered normal. Bodily changes, hormones, and anticipation about how much your life is about to change are top of mind for many women.

If you’re experiencing what you could describe as constant or overwhelming stress, though, it could indicate something more is going on.

For example, it’s pretty normal to have concerns about childbirth or to worry about adjusting to parenthood. However, constant financial difficulties that keep you up at night because you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay your bills this month, or relationship problems that are so intense you’re not sure if you and your partner will stay together, could weigh much more heavily on you throughout your pregnancy.

Causes of Stress During Pregnancy

There are several causes of stress in pregnancy. They might include:

Physical changes and their impact on stress levels

Pregnancy brings about physical changes that can contribute to increased stress levels. Some common physical changes during pregnancy might include:

Emotional factors contributing to stress

Pregnancy can be a very emotional time. Factors that can causeemotional stressduring pregnancy might stem from:

External factors

External factors like relationship issues, work-related stress, or societal pressures can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress in pregnancy.

How does stress affect the mother’s health?

High-stress levels in pregnant women can lead to numerous physical and mental health issues.

Some bodies of research suggest that maternal stress in-utero can have long-lasting implications onphysiology and behavior.

Can stress cause miscarriage?

Despite stress having other negative impacts, no evidence links stress to a higher risk of miscarriage.

How Can I Relieve Stress During My Pregnancy?

Learning to cope with stress during pregnancy is critical. Try the followingstress management techniquesthe next time you feel like your stress is at an unhealthy level:

Find Support for Stress During Your Pregnancy

If you’re feeling stressed out and need help, contact your doctor or a mental health provider who specializes in managing anxiety during pregnancy. Talkspace is an excellent resource foronline therapyand support for expectant mothers — and the online platform makes getting help easy and convenient, from the comfort of your own home.

Sources:

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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