Exactly how bad is stress during pregnancy?

[Bellabelloo]

I am 31 weeks pregnant and manically busy at work. I am self-employed and the run up to Christmas is just bonkers. Everyone keeps telling me off for working long hours and weekends and saying that I should be taking it easy, but if I take it easy the work piles up and it becomes more stressful. I don't necessarily feel stressed as such, just working very, very long hours. How bad is this for my baby? There must be loads of mums who work bloody hard and had healthy, fine babies!? X

I think the 'stress is bad for baybee' idea is a myth. But stress is not great for you. Look after yourself or you could be feeling better knackered by due date.

Pretty knackered. Not better! Bloody hell!

My hunch is that what you're doing is probably better for baby than if you were lounging around in a sedentary fashion! I think working hard is fine, but if you get in a real tiz about things then that might not be so good.

I'm under a lot of pressure to get through a lot of work before Christmas (also freelance). I've been very unwell though the past few weeks so I've had to slow down a bit. I'm going to have to pick up the pace again asap though!

I was massively stressed during my pregnancy and really felt it. Was so tired every single day, didn't have the energy for anything

I can't prove it but I personally believe that's why my baby was born so small ( stopped growing so had to be induced at 37 weeks, 4lb 14oz ) I barely gained any weight during the pregnancy and now ( baby is a week old ) I weigh a stone less than I did at the beginning of the pregnancy

My previous pregnancy s both babies were the right size and weight for their gestation and I was happy all the way through their pregnancys

It's not proven it's just what I personally believe has happened with me x

Huge external stressing factors during pregnancy of dc3. Of them all he was the most chilled baby. I used to joke that he'd been exposed to such high levels of stress hormones in the womb he was immune to them. He's only 3, but I can't see that he's been affected in any way.
I'm not sure stress alone is a big issue, but if it's affecting eg your blood pressure, eating habits etc then that might have an effect.

There's a difference between working long hours and being stressed as such. That said it's a bit annoying the whole stress thing as a lot of time the things that stress you out you can't do much about - that's why they are stressful! So worrying about what it does for the baby just makes it more stressful!

I work long hours (and physical, stood up running up and down stairs etc). Loads of women in my workplace have been just fine in pregnancy/having babies.

Thing is, I bet you'd be more stressed if you let the work pile up...

I think do what you feel physically and emotionally able to do, and that will be just fine for the baby. Your body will tell you when it's over its limit.

Stress during pregnancy can effect your baby - it is not a myth. The raised cortisol levels are not good for mum or baby. However the level of stress needed to raise the cortisol will vary between people. If you're very worried, go and check with your midwife. She can check your BP and advise you on what is too much. Take care of yourself

Stress and tiredness are pretty different though. As long as you're not getting stressed, the baby should be fine

I don't think working long hours equals stress, unless that work is causing you stress.
I can't see that working long hours is bad for the baby at all. When heavily pregnant with DD2 I had a non sleeping baby/toddler DD1 (who broke her leg when I was 36 weeks pregnant) and was finishing my masters, i never had any 'down time' at all. I was busy, but not stressed.

I think there's a real difference between being busy stressed and anxious stressed. With my first I worked really long hours in a stressful busy job and I don't see it had any effects.

Whereas with my now 8yo, I was emotionally very very stressed (he was post our second son who was stillborn) and anxious and I genuinely feel he was affected. He is an anxious child with processing difficulties and from the research I've done and his paediatrician's opinion it does appear that he may have been affected by my anxiety.

I was mulling this over again on a long journey yesterday and I think my feeling on it is that working hard is highly unlikely to do any harm, as long as you are eating and sleeping well. Often when people have a stressful busy phase they don't look after themselves well, but as long as you can ensure you're eating good meals and getting enough sleep, and you're not so stressed that you've constantly got adrenaline pulsing around, then I can't see the harm.

Thanks everyone! I saw my obstetrician today. My blood pressure is on the lower side rather than high. She said being super busy was absolutely fine, but to make sure I keep an eye on the baby's movements as it's easy to forget that you haven't felt them move when you're on the go all the time.

Lax

Iv been through sooooo much stress this pregnancy finding out my baby has major heart defects and having to deal with the fact he may not make it and he's still going strong now at almost 36 weeks

Oh blimey Nikki. You've been through so much. He/she will be here soon!! Hope all goes well. X

Super busy here too OP, if that makes you feel any better. I work in retail (own business) and December is my busiest time. Yesterday I got up at 4am and worked - standing up - until 7pm. I am 34 weeks.

Was feeling very guilty but feel OK in myself and baby seems fine.

Roll on January!

I'm in retail too - Manhowdy - and it's also my own business. November and December are bonkers!! I'm the same. Long, long days, rushing around all day, 7 days a week. Roll on Christmas!