Relax! Your Baby Will Thank You!

Pregnancy Stress Protection: What to Do

While a little bit of precaution goes a long way, as the saying goes, "life happens." And that means that no matter how we try to avoid it, some stress is bound to creep into our lives.

When it does, most women can diffuse the effects if they have a good support system in place.

"It can be a spouse, your mother, your best friend, your clergyman -- anyone that you can talk to and seek comfort in, is going to help alleviate your stress," says Young.

He says studies show that just voicing your stressful feelings is a tremendous source of relief, particularly if your stress is linked to worries about your pregnancy.

"Every pregnant woman has some stressful thoughts and fears during pregnancy. But if you talk it out, voice your concerns, tell someone how you feel, you release that stress and both you and your baby can benefit," says Bruce.

Rebarber agrees and adds that learning to delegate and to embrace the changes that pregnancy brings are two more important ways to reduce stress.

"You have to slow down just a little bit and find a small window of opportunity within each day to take a deep breath, relax, and do something comforting for yourself -- all of which can help keep tension from building," says Rebarber.

Most important: All our experts tell WebMD that women should not fret or worry that their "fretting or worrying" is going to harm their baby.

Says Rebarber: "Remember, it's normal to be concerned -- it's not going to harm you or your baby. And even if you experience a major stressful event, a good support system, good nutrition, and time for relaxation every day is usually enough to counter the effects, protecting you and your baby from harm."

Published July 11, 2005.

SOURCES: Calvin Hobel, MD, vice chairman of obstetrics and gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; Miriam Jacobs Chair in maternal fetal medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Bruce Young, MD, Silverman Professor of obstetrics and gynecology, NYU School of Medicine, New York. Andrei Rebarber, MD, associate clinical professor of maternal fetal medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York. Van den Bergh, B. Child Development, July 2004; vol 75: p 1085. Glover, V. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1997; vol 171: pp 105-106. Monk, C., Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, February 2003; vol 24: pp 32-38. American Psychological Society annual meeting, Miami Beach, June 9, 2000. Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, San Diego, 2002.