Will stress affect my baby?

[babymummaa2021]

17 weeks pregnant, found out quite early and I am quite an easily stressed person anyway but I have been so overwhelmingly stressed over the past 8 weeks I’d say!

I feel like such a mardy cow but I regret telling people about our pregnancy. It’s opened us up to loads of opinions and questions and I miss it being private and just us.

And aside from that, DH’s sister (who hates him getting any sort of attention from his family) has just announced she’s pregnant. She’s quite early on so she knew we were pregnant as she got pregnant.

Of course anyone can get pregnant at any time they want. But due to the type of person this is I feel she’s done it so attention is on her and not DH. I may get negative comments for that but even her engagement and wedding was planned around big occasions of mine and DH’s. She even calls him ‘golden boy’ which couldn’t be further from the truth, I sense jealousy from her.

This itself hasn’t stressed me out, hopefully she starts liking me so our children can grow up being close cousins. But I know things will be a competition, she’ll be judgmental make lots of comments and have lots of opinions.

Even comments from his family now are stressful and I just wish we would’ve kept this secret and just told people when baby boy is here!!!!

Other factors have stressed me out but this is just an example.

I’m worried that the stress will affect my baby - will it? I’m trying to stay calm but I’m quite a quiet person and private so even people prying a bit (we’re keeping due date private we’ve only mentioned the month, so people don’t keep asking about baby boy) is stressing me out?

I’d ask for a referral to the perinatal mental health team if it’s getting to you. Stress can have an impact but just remember baby is very well protected in there.
I’ve suffered with really bad stress in the pregnancy and perinatal mental health team have really helped me x

@Sheisfee thank you. I did mention my stress to my midwife but she said I’m not at risk or of concern. Would I have to ask and see them myself like a self referral?

Speak to a gp about it.

In respect to your sil, be flattered. It’s a compliment to you. Learn to let it go, and be grateful you have someone to go through it with. Focus on the fun parts of shopping for baby things together. Don’t get jealous when you’re pil do stuff for her and not you etc. Just don’t tell her the baby names!!!

I was incredibly stressed during my pregnancy because it was our fourth IVF attempt and I'd had previous miscarriages. I was convinced I was going to lose the baby at any moment and was on edge constantly. DD is fine!