It’s very difficult nowadays to live without some source of stress. Work, traffic, family problems… There are many factors to deal with every day, and it’s almost impossible to go through it unscathed.
Trying to get pregnant is yet another pressure and, often, we hear horror stories about how stress can cause a pregnancy loss. But how true is this information?
For the most part, miscarriages in the first trimester have inevitable causes. Generally, these miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities or problems that prevent the embryo from implanting properly. Miscarriages caused by external factors are much rarer.
Miscarriages caused by external factors are much rarer.
The good news is that a scare, irritation, or a bad day doesn’t pose any danger to the fetus. It’s normal to be more sensitive during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, but crying or occasionally feeling unwell is not enough to harm the baby.
But this doesn’t mean that stress has no impact at all. Stress that is prolonged or very intense can, in fact, have a negative impact on a pregnancy. Not only can intense stress increase the chance of a miscarriage in the first trimester, it also raises the risk of fetal death.
In addition, very heavy stress can also raise the chances of low birth weight, premature birth, and also a higher incidence of postpartum depression.
Mood swings, feeling angry or sad, and crying from time to time is expected during pregnancy and does not pose a risk. But if you’re feeling excessively tired, overwhelmed, stressed, or even depressed, there’s no reason to be ashamed of seeking help. Look for support from your partner, family, friends, and healthcare professionals.
