Most recently, some studies are suggesting that stress in the womb can affect a baby's temperament and neurobehavioral development. Infants whose mothers experienced high levels of stress while pregnant, particularly in the first trimester, show signs of more depression and irritability.
In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high-anger women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high-anger mothers' high prenatal cortisol and adrenaline and low dopamine and serotonin levels were mimicked by their neonates' high cortisol and low dopamine levels.
Increased noise levels can cause stress. This can cause changes in a the body that can affect your developing baby. Sound can travel through your body and reach your baby. Very loud noises may be able to damage your baby's hearing.
Can crying and depression affect an unborn baby? Having an occasional crying spell isn't likely to harm your unborn baby. More severe depression during pregnancy, however, could possibly have a negative impact on your pregnancy.
Parents should try to refrain from arguing around a baby.
High stress can impact the development of the emotion parts of the brain. A baby can detect anger in a voice as early as 5 months. Parental arguing causes stress in the baby, elevating their heart rate and increasing their blood pressure.
Studies have shown that infants as young as one month-old sense when a parent is depressed or angry and are affected by the parent's mood. Understanding that even infants are affected by adult emotions can help parents do their best in supporting their child's healthy development.
Exposure to shouting during pregnancy could damage baby's hearing. A calm and stress-free pregnancy is best for all concerned but now a new study suggests that partners who yell at a pregnant woman could be doing lasting harm that goes beyond the mum-robe's own mental well-being.
Pregnancy can lead to stronger emotions too. These might include fear, anger, anxiety and depression. You could be experiencing these emotions for the first time. Or things that usually don't upset you now do – for example, pressure at work.
At around 18 weeks of pregnancy, your unborn baby will start being able to hear sounds in your body like your heartbeat. At 27 to 29 weeks (6 to 7 months), they can hear some sounds outside your body too, like your voice. By the time they are full term, they will be able to hear at about the same level as an adult.
Baby may start to know when their father is touching mom's belly. Babies can sense touch from anyone, but they can also sense when touch (and voice) is familiar. And by 24 weeks into pregnancy, dad can usually feel baby kick – but the exact time varies.
As it turns out, I'm a bit of a textbook case - at least according to this article, which states, "Most find that moodiness flares up at around 6 to 10 weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as their pregnancy winds to a close."
Your relationship
You may find that you are having arguments with your partner while you're pregnant. Some arguments may have nothing to do with the pregnancy, but others may be caused by feeling worried about the future and how you're going to cope. It's important to talk with your partner about how you're feeling.
Answer From Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D. While excessive stress isn't good for your overall health, there's no evidence that stress results in miscarriage.
High levels of perceived stress were shown to double the risk of stillbirth, independent of other social factors and pregnancy complications that can put pressure on mothers.
It is absolutely okay and encouraged to display emotions in front of your children. If you're sad, cry. If you're upset, be big mad.
Research shows that unborn infants respond to more than just physical touch—they respond to their mother's emotional state as well.
Hearing a baby cry activates a physiological response that cannot be controlled. MRIs taken of a mother's brain when she hears her baby's cries show that the brain lights up in response within a second. Those areas that light up are associated with empathy, compassion, and notably alarm.
Fetal movements typically increase when the mother is hungry, reflecting lowered blood sugar levels in the mother and fetus. This is similar to the increased activity of most animals when they are seeking food, followed by a period of quietness when they are fed.
If your uterus contracts due to orgasm, obstetrician Dr. Kim Langdon tells Romper that “the baby will not likely notice it.” However, she does explain that if your water has broken, “there is less amniotic fluid and so a contraction may be felt,” although having sex after your water has broken isn't recommended.
Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
What causes fetal distress? Fetal distress may occur when the baby doesn't receive enough oxygen because of problems with the placenta (such as placental abruption or placental insufficiency) or problems with the umbilical cord (such as cord prolapse).