Will Stress affect my baby?

[Jo1987]

Hi,

I'm 17 weeks pregnant and haven't had the most stress-free pregnancy so far away, but this past month I have been under a huge amount of stress at home.

I've argued with my husbands family particularly his mum, and he is refusing to get involved which has resulted in his mum sending snidey messages about me to him, in an attempted for him to moan about me I think.

I've spent nearly every night for the last week in tears because I just want him to take my side and stand up for me.

Now I'm worried how much damage I am doing to my baby stressing about mother in law. I've had a headache for the past three days that I cannot shift, even after paracetamol or caffeine, and I've had cramps today but I think its more ligament pain.

Will all this stress be harmful, if so I'm moving out !

 

[Yo_Yo]

First of all, I'm sorry your having to put up with all this stress whilst being pregnant. If you can, you want to try and distance yourself from your mother in law if she is upsetting you- just point blank ignore her, and try and let her snidey comments go over your head.

Please don't worry about the stress affecting the baby too much-I had a horrible first pregnancy due to dd1s awful father. It was really stressful and upsetting. She is absolutely fine.

Pregnancy yoga and meditation and nice walks in the fresh air might help you too. Pregnancy yoga in particular really helped me be calm in my second pregnancy when learning to drive-I was so zen.

Hope things get easier for you

 

[TryinFor1]

Its not particularly good to be stressed but it won't damage the baby. During 9/11, when the twin towers were attacked and all the people died, I read a study that said there were like 52-53 pregnant women whose husband had died, every baby was fine and I am sure that was extremely stressful.

 

[pLadyBug]

Actually stress CAN be harmful to your baby. Though there are women that have a lot of stress and their babies are ok there are women that don't fair as well. Stress is linked to pre-term labor, low birth weight and spontaneous contractions. You may want to speak to your doctor about it to get their opinion. Getting headaches while pregnant is common for some woman, but you want to make sure yours isn't related to the stress your undergoing.

 

[sweetcheeks78]

I'm sorry you're going through so much stress in your pregnancy, but I wouldn't worry too much about the baby. I lost my Dad when I was 13 wks pg with DS1 and it was the worst time of my life, but DS was just fine. In fact he was 5 days late and a really big boy! Hugs x

 

[Jo1987]

Thank you all for your responses, and I'm sorry about your dad sweetcheeks.

I have a few cramps today and a headache again but i'll call my midwife when they open and try to remain calm. As for everyone else and the mother in law, well I guess you guys are right, I just have to ignore her.

 

[calm]

I'm sure everything is fine, we all go stressful situations, its life and normal. Forget about the witch of MIL, she is not worth it. You just centre on feeling good and on your baby

 

[Selaphyna]

Try not to stress, I know easier said than done.

I've had a lot of stress myself due to work, but for the most part I've just had headaches (which is normal for me even before pregnancy), and I've been very tired. I just try to get as much sleep as I can.

As others have said talk to your doctor. They may be able to give you stress relieving tips to help you.

 

[jadza]

I've been stressing a lot also. And I mean a lot. From day dot of being pregnant and before. Going through some horrible court stuff etc. I've not gotten to the point that I have constant headaches and not sleeping. I've been ordered by my doctor to stay home, not go to work for a week and sleep. But even with all of that, the doctor says my baby is fine. Its hurting me more than anything else. If you are worried head to your GP and get your blood pressure checked. If its normal, baby will be fine. Maybe try and escape it all for even a day, take a day trip to somewhere quiet and pretty with your OH. Hope things get better for you.

 

[jw1555]

I have just had EXACTLY the Same thing happen, my MIL upset me so much I was having panic attacks constantly, made it worse that my OH wouldn't stand up for me, so I completely understand how you feel hun. In the end I had to just ignore them and focus on my health. My gp advised the baby would be fine as they are very strong! Fingers crossed for you that everything will sort itself out and if not try and ignore it and focus on yourself x