Prenatal stress
Prenatal stress is the occurrence of stress in both mother and child during pregnancy . Research results to date show that prenatal stress, depending on the intensity of the stress, can have an impact on child development.
Definition of stress
In common parlance, the term " stress " is often used to describe an emotional state that arises when people feel unable to cope with a task. This can be, for example, an exam, a serious illness, an argument with the partner or excessive demands at work. Noise pollution and time pressure are also often mentioned as stressors (triggers for stress). From a medical point of view, however, the term stress generally describes a reaction of the organism to internal or external stimuli that stress the body or the psyche . A distinction is made between positive, healthy stress (eustress) and negative, unhealthy stress (distress). Eustress has an activating and performance-enhancing effect and makes it possible to meet new requirements (for example at work or in sports). The prerequisite here is that the person concerned feels up to the task and is motivated to tackle them. In contrast to this, distress mainly arises when threatening stimuli and a feeling of fear or helplessness occur and the task seems unsolvable. It is now scientifically proven that persistent negative stress affects the body and psyche. Among other things, it ensures a weakened immune system and stresses the cardiovascular system . If there is a pregnancy at the same time as high stress levels , in many cases this also affects the child.
Common stressors in pregnancy
Pregnancy can bring both positive and negative stress with it. The joy of the baby and, for example, the furnishing of the children's room activate the organism and often bring with it a slight form of stress, which is usually perceived as rather pleasant. At the same time, however, pregnancy can also be stressful. Especially when there may be uncertainties about the baby's health. But also excessive demands at work, hormonal mood swings or family disputes as well as illnesses can cause negative stress.
Effects of prenatal stress
An acute stress reaction on the part of the mother causes the body to release hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline . These so-called catecholamines provide, among other things, a
- Increase in heart rate
- Increase in blood pressure
- Speeding up breathing and
- Tension of the muscles .
At the same time, the stressful situation in the organism triggers an increased release of cortisol . This glucocorticoid is produced in the adrenal cortex and ensures that the body is provided with energy to deal with stressors (for example by increasing blood sugar levels). At the same time, it influences blood pressure and the immune system and is involved in the regulation of cell growth. If an expectant mother is now under great stress, around ten percent of the cortisol released from her blood is transferred to the unborn child via the placenta . In the child's body, the excess of cortisol influences genetic development and accelerates growth processes in the brain in an unfavorable way . It is assumed that the faster maturation is at the expense of cell division and thus also the formation of the brain. Because of this, researchers associate prenatal stress with the later occurrence of mental illnesses such as ADHD , depression and schizophrenia , but also with an increased susceptibility to stress, allergies , asthma and neurodermatitis .
There is also clear evidence that an increased concentration of adrenaline and noradrenaline lowers progesterone levels and thus increases the risk of miscarriages . Also, premature births and low birth weight occur significantly more often in stressful mothers. However, it is important to distinguish between light, temporary stress and persistent, intense periods of stress. While chronically excessive demands harm both mother and baby, mild prenatal stress (based on current knowledge) ensures that effective mechanisms for coping with stress are developed in the child's brain and that motor and mental abilities are improved.
There are also epigenetic been changes revealed by prenatal stress.
Coping with stress in pregnancy
Avoiding stress completely is an almost impossible task and is also not necessary to protect the child. A low level of stress promotes the baby's development and keeps the pregnant woman active. However, it is important not to let prenatal stress become chronic. Persistent or particularly heavy loads should be avoided. If this is not possible, it is important to take appropriate measures to cope with stress in order to protect your own and the child's organism . This includes, for example, regular rest breaks and relaxation exercises, but above all the use of help. This can come from family and friends, or it can be of a professional nature, for example from psychologists , life coaches or coaches. Even midwives and gynecologists are appropriate contact person.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Stress in Pregnancy: Good or Bad for the Baby? VITA34: The stem cell bank. (vita34.de accessed on November 29, 2018).
- ↑ F. Serpeloni, KM Radtke, T. Hecker, J. Sill, V. Vukojevic, SG de Assis, M. Schauer, T. Elbert, D. Nätt: Does Prenatal Stress Shape Postnatal Resilience? - An Epigenome-Wide Study on Violence and Mental Health in Humans . In: Frontiers in Genetics . tape 10 , 2019, pp. 269 , doi : 10.3389 / fgene.2019.00269 , PMID 31040859 , PMC 6477038 (free full text).
- ↑ F. Serpeloni, K. Radtke, SG de Assis, F. Henning, D. Nätt, T. Elbert: Grandmaternal stress during pregnancy and DNA methylation of the third generation: an epigenome-wide association study . In: Translational Psychiatry . tape 7 , no. 8 , August 2017, p. e1202 , doi : 10.1038 / tp.2017.153 , PMID 28809857 , PMC 5611722 (free full text).
