Research results about Stress during pregnancy

Suna Çetin / Pregnant and Birth Psychologist

There are many studies on how stress during pregnancy affects the baby and the mother. Studies on stress factors during pregnancy show that the mother's mood directly affects the baby in her womb.

The research results provide us with important data on the subject being studied. These types of data, especially in the field of health, are valuable for us to take some precautions. Here are valuable research results on stress factors during pregnancy ...

• In a study conducted in the USA, the risk of preterm birth increased by 13% and the possibility of giving birth to a low birth weight baby by 15% in women who had depression during pregnancy compared to those who did not experience depression.

• When the relationship between the stress experienced by the mother during pregnancy and the subtypes of ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) was examined, it was found that the mothers of children in the ADHD subtypes were exposed to more stress during pregnancy than the control group. (Gazi University, Ankara)

• Physical and sexual violence perpetrated by the spouse during pregnancy causes emotional and physical harm to the expectant mother and the baby. Pregnancy poisoning, premature birth and spontaneous miscarriage, headache, anxiety and high stress levels, depression, substance abuse and routine disturbances are also seen in these pregnancies. In addition, dangers such as the lack of mother-infant attachment and the decrease in breastfeeding rates were also stated.

• In studies conducted in our country, it has been reported that the mother's pregnancy stress level is higher in the group with autism and DHEB and SMF (Oppositional Disorder), and the duration of breast milk use is shorter.

• In another study, delays in some developmental tasks were reported in the future of the children of pregnant women who experienced prenatal stress. In the 2-10 age range, excessive attachment also leads to an increased amount of behavioral problems, including crying, hyperactivity, low sadness threshold, and antisocial behavior.

• Zuckerman et al. Stated that babies of depressed mothers cried more frequently after birth, fell asleep later, and felt more distressed after birth due to increased cortisol catecholamine levels.

• In another study, 8-36 week old babies are listened to music. It was determined that these babies paid more attention to sounds, had better eye tracking, and motor control and coordination were accelerated. Music is instrumental in the development of the baby's brain folds and also helps speed math and language development.

• In the study conducted in Finland, it was found that high blood pressure and pregnancy poisoning due to pregnancy were observed approximately 3 times more in expectant mothers who experienced intense stress in the early stages of their pregnancy. In a study in California, it was found that intense stress increased the risk of miscarriage 2-3 times.

• The ultrasonographic examination performed from the 27th to the 28th week of pregnancy revealed that the baby in the womb has a direct relationship with the mother's mood. In a study conducted with 104 pregnant women within the first 3 months, it was found that anxiety and stress experienced during pregnancy could be associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight.

REFERENCES

Maternal Stresin Prenatal ve Postnatal Gelişim Üzerine Olan Etkileri. Cankara N, Malas M.A.

(2008, Türkiye Klinikleri)

Fetal Büyümeye Etki Eden Maternal Faktörler

Kadir Desdicioğlu, M. Ali Malas Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Anatomi AD. Isparta S.D.Ü. Tıp Fak. Derg. 2006:13(2)/ 47-54

Prenatal Stresin Nörogelişimsel Etkileri. M. Genco Usta, Adem Balıkçı 2012, Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar

Gebelikte Depresyon: Sıklık, Risk Faktörleri ve Tedavisi

Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalık, Songül Aktaş Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar-Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 2011

Gebelerde Depresyon ve Anksiyete Bozukluğunun Obstetrik Sonuçları ve Yenidoğan Üzerine Etkileri.

Anatolian Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2012

Author(s): Eskici, Levent; Demir Akca, Ayşe Semra; Atasoy, Nuray; Arıkan, İlker; Hama Mehmet