Is it true?

[CathyandHeathcliff]

That anxiety and stress during pregnancy causes pre term labour, low IQ and behavioural problems?

I'm really concerned as I suffer with anxiety

I don't mean to make light of your query (I have bad anxiety too), but I think about 75% of the kids born from here would have issues if this were the case. Try and keep away from Dr Google and keep talking on here, there are lots of lovely ladies going through what you are. Good luck to you x

You know, I am not a doctor but I think the effect of stress or anxiety in pregnancy can be seriously exaggerated. You hear all sorts of nonsense. For example, I do a high pressure, professional job and had a well meaning but misguided colleague blathering on at me about how I “would hurt the baby” through both of my pregnancies by “being stressed” (doing my job, including things like routine court appearances). My children were fine. A friend of mine who had a horrific time during pregnancy, including losing her husband to cancer when she was 7 months pregnant, was told by her consultant that while stress can - theoretically - cause issues for an unborn child, even in her situation that was highly unlikely. He pointed out that healthy babies are still born in war time, for example. My friend was - obviously and naturally - hugely stressed and anxious but her child was fine. I understand where you are coming from and it is easier said than done but please try not to worry.

One practical thing to try might be some reading sources with a statistical base - I liked “expecting better” by Emily Oster as that gave a good idea of what the actual risks of any of the supposed “risk” factors were in pregnancy.

My first pregnancy was filled with highs stress and anxiety (as were the first few years I’d say after partner left) but my son is fine! He was late, is top of his class and doesn’t have any behavioural issues. Obviously I can’t speak for all people who suffer major stress and anxiety but I don’t think it’s somehhing you should be worrying about.

Given your anxiety it’s probably best not to google or read too much into things like that. I’d suggest speaking to your midwife at your next appointment, hopefully she can reassure you a bit and offer extra support if needed

OP maybe try some hypnotherapy it helped me massively. I actually did Hypnobirthing but the whole concept relaxed me a lot and I use the breathing mechanism to take a moment and chill when things get bad x