Stress in pregnancy

[Monkeypuzzle32]

Just that really, I'm 20 weeks today and under quite a lot of stress from work (and bloody husband this morning) can it affect the baby?

I'm not a medical expert by any means. Stress is never good for anyone and you should look into stress relieving techniques.

But to ease your mind, I've been more stressed this pregnancy than I have in my whole life and baby is fine. I'm due end of month.

Take care of yourself, your mental health is important.

I was very stressed during my first pregnancy and was told that it would be fine but that I needed to do something about the stress for my own well being.

What is happening at work that is causing so much stress? Can anything be done about it?

Good to hear your baby is ok kitty

Lorelai I can't explain on here but in addition the fact they haven't even done a risk assessment is stressing me out and my boss who thankfully leaves (promoted) today

I worked an extremely stressful job (alongside finishing uni) until 7 months pregnant, then quit as I just couldn't cope anymore. It was with a large retail company and I was on minimum wage as floor staff - had to be up at 4am to start, long shifts (even though I was only PT), short breaks, rude and uncaring manager, no risk assessment completed, problems with wages and sick pay (still being chased up now!)

They essentially ran me into the ground and back in May at 26 weeks pregnant, after working an 8 hour shift on the floor with one 30-minute break, I woke up in the night with severe abdominal cramps. Went to the hospital after it had gone on for 5 hours and got monitored. Everything was okay with the baby, thank god, but they told me I had abdominal distress and was having mini contractions because my body was overworked, tired and so stressed. I took 3 weeks off work, went back for 3 weeks and then handed in my notice. Meant I was extremely poor for about a month til my MA started but felt like a weight was lifted and instantly was happier and healthier, and since have had a very good pregnancy.

Take whatever steps you can to minimise stress - it's unlikely that stress would harm the baby but it's bad for your blood pressure and health, and since YOU are growing your baby surely it impacts on them. Hope things get better

As I understand it, the problem with stress is that it raises your cortisol. This is not a problem short-term (as that's exactly what cortisol is for in the body), but if it remains raised over long periods of time, then it can affect the baby. So some stress every now and then like everyone has is fine, but if you're in a very stressful situation for weeks, it would be good to try and reduce it.

Thank you all, I'm grateful for the input-I just want to enjoy being pregnant (physically I am) but I can't control some of the shit going on-I feel pissed off that I'm not allowed a mellow time!