Did anxiety/stress during pregnancy affect your baby?

[Dochas12111]

Hi all, I’m nearly 21 weeks with first baby after 5 years TTC and 6 rounds of IVF. I have been ok throughout but have moments of panic here and there - so for example, first time I felt movement I didn’t realise what it was, thought something was wrong and had a panic attack. Then a few weeks ago I had a migraine with flashing lights and panicked it was pre-eclampsia and my heart rate went crazy. This week my glands are a bit swollen so of course after googling I convinced myself I had cancer and another panic attack. I think after so much difficulty getting pregnant I’m just waiting for it to all go wrong and any time something happens o completely lose it. So I’ve had around 4 panic attacks in 21 weeks.

My mother gave out to me and said I’m harming the baby with my anxiety. When I googled it it did say being anxious or stressed can cause the baby to have ADHD.

Did anyone else have a anxious/stressful pregnancy and their baby was ok?

I should say aside from the panic attacks I’ve been ok and haven’t felt particularly anxious or stressed.

I had a pretty rough ride with my second and was an anxious mess pretty much throughout. He arrived a couple of weeks early but is really healthy and happy.

I'd speak to your midwife though to put your mind at rest and to let her know how you're feeling

I’d seek help for your own mental health OP as it can’t be pleasant to experience panic attacks so frequently.

No. During my first pregnancy I cared for my dad to his death during a short but brutal unexpected illness, and then dealt with all the aftermath etc. Then second pregnancy I was stuck in a different country to DH, and homeless. And all was well with both of mine. Does sound like you do need support though, maybe tell your midwife how you've been feeling?

Congratulations.

My dad's cancer came back when I was roughly 12 weeks pregnant with dc2. He died 3 months later. I was terrified of having postpartum psychosis again and was also having psychotherapy to help me deal with the ptsd which had been retriggered following the birth of dc1 which added to my anxiety. Dc1 was heartbroken as he adored Grandad. All that coupled with morning sickness, having to support my mum, organise a funeral etc had my stress levels through the roof. I wasn't sleeping, didn't want to eat and probably had too much caffeine.

My almost 4 year old is absolutely fine. Bright, happy, active, cuddly little girl with no signs of being neuro diverse (unlike her brother but my pregnancy with him was relaxed).

Read something like “why love matters” by sue gerhardt as to the impact on the baby by the mothers emotions - really fascinating. A lot of it is to do with the attachment you have and the cortisol you (and the baby) have.

My understanding is that The kind of stress that can impact a baby is really really really extreme trauma eg war zones.

Better for you to be less stressed but it sounds like you are a very long way away from the kind of stress reaction that could come close to having any detriment on your baby!

I was put at risk of redundancy at 35 weeks, had to go through the consultation process for the following 3 weeks and lost my job at 38 weeks pregnant. Incredibly stressful as a single parent as lost all income. Baby born at 39+5, healthy weight, no birth complications, relatively easy labour. So I don’t think it’s a given that stress causes problems, but I don’t know if there are other factors that could contribute (e.g. if you already had complications and stress could aggravate it).

I had a really stressful time- accidental pregnancy, lost my job, was under the care of mental health services so had appointments constantly with everyone asking me if I was suicidal and talking about w mum and baby home, then I got referred to social services so had to cope with that, then I got gestation diabetes- it was a total nightmare but my baby was fine and is still happy and fine now at nearly 4!

Thanks all, it is good to know others had a lot of stress and the babies are fine although I’m sorry so many of you have had such a hard time during pregnancy.

Looking objectively the pregnancy has been fine so far - all scans/appointments all good and everything fine with me. I think I just am waiting for it all to go wrong as it’s so hard to believe it might all work out. I previously did hypnotherapy during ivf so maybe I need to revisit that to help me and I will say it to the midwife next time so thank you all for the advice.

Congratulations

I was very similar to you, had a baby through fertility treatment and all through the pregnancy thought something would go wrong so I was quite anxious, even though everything was fine throughout

I now have a very laid back baby, pretty sure she takes after her father and I've certainly seen nothing in her development to suggest any stress in pregnancy has harmed her in any way

I had a very understanding midwife who helped me through my pregnancy so I would say talk to yours. I would also have a plan in place for after birth where you can, potentially with your hypnotherapy or anything that helps you mentally.

I got bad PND and am currently on anti depressants and seeing my counsellor again and I can say from experience getting the right help and support makes parenting so much more enjoyable!

All the best for your journey

@llol031 congratulations on your baby. Ok sorry to hear about your PND. I am worried about PND too as I’ve heard it’s more common after infertility. I’m glad you are being supported.

I have two IVF babies and was very similar during my first. From everything I've read the evidence around stress is about really extreme situations of constantly raised cortisol levels like in war or domestic violence situations. Anxiety is so common in ivf pregnancies. I found a specialist fertility counsellor through the British Infertility Counselling Association and she has helped me so much, I'd really recommend talking to someone who really understands your situation. Oh and my 4yo is a typical lively, wonderful child with no apparent ill effects from all my anxiety in pregnancy!

No. I had a pretty bad time in my pregnancy with a toxic bullying boss. My daughter is the happiest goofiest little ray of sunshine. She reminds me of a puppy crawling around laughing to herself!

I had a horrendous pregnancy with Dd2. I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 5 months. It was a complete shock I had also consumed alcohol in that period.
At 7 months pregnant Dd1 died. I took to my bed and didn't want to go on. I lost weight and was referred to the mental health team I had zero interest in my pregnancy.
Dd2 was born healthy. She is 6 now and a very bright and happy wee girl.