Stress and pregnancy: what are the risks?

More than one in three women are not fully aware of the risks associated with stress during pregnancy, according to a survey by the PremUp Foundation. However, these risks exist. Recent work seems to indicate a impact of prenatal stress on the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn baby. A large Dutch study, carried out in 2011 on more than 66 mothers and children, confirmed that maternal stress could be associated with certain pathologies.

« There is now data that cannot be disputed », Confirms Françoise Molénat *, child psychiatrist and perinatal psychoanalyst. ” Very specific studies have compared the type of prenatal stress and the effects on mom and baby. »

Small daily stresses, without risk for pregnancy

The mechanism is actually quite simple. Stress generates hormonal secretions which cross the placental barrier. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can thus be found, in more or less large quantities, in the blood of the baby. But don’t panic, not all emotions necessarily influence pregnancy and the fetus.

Le stress d’adaptation, the one that occurs when we learn that we are pregnant, is absolutely not negative. “ Mothers should not panic, this stress is a defensive reaction to a new situation. It is quite normal », Explains Françoise Molénat. ” Pregnancy causes a lot of physical and emotional upheaval. »

Le emotional stress, meanwhile, generates tension, fear, irritability. It is very common during pregnancy. The mother is plagued by small daily anxieties, unexplained mood swings. But again, there is no impact on the health of the child or on the course of the pregnancy. If, however, these emotions do not affect the general condition too much.

Stress and pregnancy: the risks for mothers

Sometimes it’s true, it happens that expecting mothers have higher stress levels. Unemployment, family or marital problems, bereavement, accident … these distressing events can have real repercussions for the pregnant woman and her fetus. It is the same during acute stress caused by a natural disaster, a war … Work shows that these anxieties are indeed associated with pregnancy complications: premature childbirth, growth retardation, low birth weight …

Stress and pregnancy: the risks for babies

Certain stresses can also cause infectious pathologies, diseases of the ear, respiratory tract in children. A recent Inserm survey suggests that babies whose mothers have experienced a particularly distressing event during pregnancy have a increased risk of developing asthma and eczema.

Other impacts have also been observed, “ especially in cognitive, emotional and behavioral areas », Notes Françoise Molénat. ” Mom’s stress can cause disturbances in the regulation of the fetal nervous system », Which can affect the psychological development of the infant. Note that the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy are the most sensitive periods.

Be careful, however, the multifactorial effects of stress remain difficult to assess. Fortunately, nothing is final. Most impacts are reversible. “ What can make the fetus vulnerable in utero can be recovered at birth », Assures Françoise Molénat. ” The context that will be offered to the child is decisive and can repair experiences of insecurity. »

Supporting the mother during pregnancy

There is no question of making the mother feel guilty by telling her that her stress is bad for her baby. It would only increase his anxieties. The most important thing is to help him reduce his fears. Speech remains the first treatment to improve maternal well-being. Nicole Berlo-Dupont, an executive midwife in home hospitalization, observes her daily. “ The women I support experience complications during their pregnancy. They are particularly distressed. Our role is first of all to reassure them.

The personal interview of the 4th month, set up by the perinatal plan 2005-2007, precisely aims to allow women to be listened to, in order to detect possible psychological difficulties. “A stressed-out mom-to-be needs to be taken care of first», Adds Françoise Molénat. “ If she feels heard in her own worry, she will already be much better. Speech has an extremely reassuring function, but it must be reliable. Now it’s up to professionals to take stock of this issue!

* Françoise Molénat is the author with Luc Roegiers, of »Stress and pregnancy. What prevention for what risks? “, Ed. Erès