Depression effect to the fetus during pregnancy

Stress out during pregnancy often felt by Mom. Hormonal changes, worry, anxiety about the future sometimes become the main reason. During pregnancy, hormonal changes could affect chemicals in the brain that are connected to depression and worry. In fact, if it doesn’t treat well and prolonged, stress that experience by pregnant Mom will affect the fetus development in the uterus. Moreover, a research from Psychological Science found that a six-month-old fetus can already be affected by Mom’s emotions. The effect could be dangerous to the attitude and the little one behaviour when he/she grows up.

Here are some of the effects that will affect the little one when Mom feel stressed out during pregnancy.

1. Disorders of fetus growth and development

   Stress that experienced by pregnant Mom is already proven will decrease fetus growth and development in the uterus. Susan Andrews, PhD, a writer of a book Stress Solutions for Pregnant Moms: How Breaking Free From Stress Can Boost Your Baby’s Potential said that a stress Mom will have a risk of giving birth to an underweight baby or premature baby. Beside it, Susan also said that there is a connection between stressed out during pregnancy with the increasing risk of baby’s growth and development disorder, such as ADHD and autism.

2. Disorder of the fetus brain development

   Chronic stress that happen during pregnancy can contribute to abnormalities in the formation of fetus brain. The risk that the little one can get is an increased risk of mental disorders in the fetus later, according to Ann Borders, MD, MPH, MSc, an expert in  obstetrics and gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem. Very dangerous, right Mom?

3. Affect baby’s growth

   When stressing out, Mom will release a hormone called cortisol. Exaggerated level of hormone will affect the baby’s health which go into amniotic fluids through placenta. As a result, the baby's growth will become abnormal. And baby could be premature because early labor,

4. Decreasing Oxygen supply for the fetus

   Besides cortisol, stress also could increase epinephrine and norepinephrine. If these two hormones production is excessive, it could lead to vasoconstriction and decrease the oxygen supply to the uterus. The fetus growth will be disrupted. According to American Journal of Epidemiology in 2009, later on the fetus will be lack of oxygen and the growth will be disrupted.

The importance of knowing how to overcome stress

There, after Mom knows the dangerous impact of stress for the fetus, it will be better that Moms also knows how to overcome it. Maybe Mom could sharing it to someone Mom trust the most, tell them everything that makes Mom worried and feel so all the emotion can come out. Or sharing experience to the fellow pregnant Mom could be the solution to overcome the stress that Mom experience.

Besides, Mom can do exercising regularly. This activity could fix the mood and channel all unwanted hormones. Don’t forget to fulfill the nutrition with good and balanced dietary habits. Don’t ever missed Vitamin, Mineral, Folic Acid, and Iron. Make sure to drink water 1.5 litre per-day minimal. If necessary,Mom could take pregnancy supplements that were recommended by the doctor.

One of the most important things is relaxation. Try to learn the breathing and meditation techniques. Think positively to avoid stress. Or watching a comedy movie is fun way of relaxation.

Maybe Mom has your own activities that could release stress when pregnant so it could help the fetus growth in uterus. Whatever the ways, make sure that Mom still has a spirit to it and stay happy so the fetus will always healthy and born safely and perfect.