Is stress really bad when you're in the early stages of pregnancy?

[BeckyBendyLegs]

I've had one of the most stressful weeks ever. First of all DS1 has to go to hospital in the middle of the night on Monday night with asthma and croup (he's absolutely fine and all he needed was a nebuliser but it all was a bit too exciting for my liking). Then the next day we get an offer on our house which has been for sale for 14 months with nothing but a sniff from any of the many, many people we have had to see it. This was good stress in a way but bad stress because I love where we live now (we are relocating) and I spent most of that day in tears about leaving this town and all my friends! Now I have the uncertainty about where we are going to live. DH and I can't agree on what houses we like (and can afford) and this is making me feel really stressed! I'm nearly nine weeks pregnant. Should I be worried about the effect this is all having on the baby? Perhaps I should stop being so wound up in myself and try to just go with the flow!

Well, I'd always recommend trying to stay relaxed, but honestly i dont think it'll harm your baby.

I think in early pregnancy only 'threat to life' kind of stress is bad.

In late pregnancy, I'd take more care. I feel by that stage the baby is more receptive to your feelings - and you need 'get in the zone' for birth and beyond.

but sorry to hear you've had such a stressful week!

No.

Thanks for the reassurance. Thing is I do get rather wound up about things generally and pregnancy hormones have really not been helping at all! I will try to chill a bit though.

hey- hugs. obviously in an ideal world you'd be living in a perpetual state of bliss in relaxation... but unfortunaltey we live in the real world and what you describe seems to be (without in any way wanting to belittle the seriousness of your feelings) just like a normal week of intense family life. not that it's easy, but then unfortunately not many things are. your ds is fine thank god and the house thing will sort itself out. remember that you are very hormonal whcih probably makes things worst than they are.

i have been so incredibly strssed with work this pregnancy, and i have felt v guilty about it, but it has helped me to remember that there are millions of women around the world who conceive and carry babies while living in severely stressful circumstances of famine, war, poverty, homelesness, etc.

try to have a hot bath, an early night, and hope you feel better soon.

Becky don't worry. DS2 was conceived about a week after my dad died , so it was a very difficult few months for us, travelling up and down the M6, funeral arrangments and all of that. I remember bursting into tears at a mw appointment and being rushed in for a scan to reassure me that all was well.

Ds2 was born 9 months to the day after df died, and is now a very strapping (if somewhat stroppy) 15 month-old. If anything he was haler and heartier than his big brother from the get-go.

But do talk to your doctor/mw if you're finding things tough.

Poor you going through so much in one week. I'd always thought stress was one of those over-rated risks, but there was some research a couple of months ago about stress in early pregnancy and its effects on the baby. Then a month later another one saying it doesn't in fact have negative effects here. As with all things, avoid the things you can. Some things are unexpected, but i'm sure our bodies are made to cope with this.

Back i know exactly where you are coming from.

I am 10 weeks and this week was a shocker for me to.

Had dd1's bday last satrday and dd2's bday on monday, got diagnosed with a heart mumer, extremely low bp, found out i had spent the day with a child who has rubella and dh's uncle died.

Try to take it all in your stride and laugh at some point in the day.

Oh crumbs I feel very humbled. Thanks everyone for your kind words, and you've helped me put things into perspective. What you all say really helps. Teqan your week sounds much more stressful than mine, I hope you are ok. Take lots of care of yourself. Midnightexpress your experiences sound really harrowing. It must have been very hard for you.

I think it is true that everyone goes through difficult times from time to time and being pregnant or not you just need to look for the lighter side of life otherwise you'd just go bonkers I think. I did have one such moment this week when I took my DSs to vote and when we came out of the polling station, DS2, who is two, burst into tears. I asked him what was up and he said 'where's the boat, mummy? You said we going on a boat!'