In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high-anger women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high-anger mothers' high prenatal cortisol and adrenaline and low dopamine and serotonin levels were mimicked by their neonates' high cortisol and low dopamine levels.
High levels of stress that continue for a long time may cause health problems, like high blood pressure and heart disease. During pregnancy, stress can increase the chances of having a baby who is preterm (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or a low-birthweight baby (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces).
You and Your Baby's Emotional Connection
Research has shown that, during pregnancy, your baby feels what you feel—and with the same intensity. That means if you're crying, your baby feels the same emotion, as if it's their own.
Research suggests that babies are indeed affected by parental squabbles, and exposure to chronic conflict may affect brain development. Experimental studies confirm that babies can sense when their mothers are distressed, and the stress is contagious.
Pregnancy can lead to stronger emotions too. These might include fear, anger, anxiety and depression. You could be experiencing these emotions for the first time. Or things that usually don't upset you now do – for example, pressure at work.
“Infants are fairly resilient, but we are concerned about harm when yelling out of anger around an infant or towards an infant happens at a significant level of intensity or commonly in the home,” says Horvitz. “This will likely increase infant anxiety, which overtime may have an impact similar to trauma.”
Try to validate your partner's feelings, even if you feel their worries are not rational or are out of proportion to the situation. Ask plenty of questions and let your partner tell you what they need in terms of support – even if this does change frequently.
It can make them behave badly or get physically sick. Children react to angry, stressed parents by not being able to concentrate, finding it hard to play with other children, becoming quiet and fearful or rude and aggressive, or developing sleeping problems.
Scientists found that being subjected to shouting and verbal abuse can trigger a neuroendocrine change in the woman, which can decrease blood flow to the uterus.
At around 18 weeks of pregnancy, your unborn baby will start being able to hear sounds in your body like your heartbeat. At 27 to 29 weeks (6 to 7 months), they can hear some sounds outside your body too, like your voice. By the time they are full term, they will be able to hear at about the same level as an adult.
A baby in the womb becomes attuned to the environment of the mother and can be affected by her emotional state. Stress acts as a stimulus, causing a specific reaction in the mother's body. This means the baby will adapt accordingly, creating physical change.
As it turns out, I'm a bit of a textbook case - at least according to this article, which states, "Most find that moodiness flares up at around 6 to 10 weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as their pregnancy winds to a close."
While excessive stress isn't good for your overall health, there's no evidence that stress results in miscarriage.
Most recently, some studies are suggesting that stress in the womb can affect a baby's temperament and neurobehavioral development. Infants whose mothers experienced high levels of stress while pregnant, particularly in the first trimester, show signs of more depression and irritability.
Yoga and Meditation
Meditation during pregnancy helps to reduce stress and anger in nine months and also helps to calm yourself. But, you have to understand what meditation you should do to reduce anger during pregnancy? The answers is by doing deep breathing exercises, pranayam, light exercise, etc.
You may find that you are having arguments with your partner while you're pregnant. Some arguments may have nothing to do with the pregnancy, but others may be caused by feeling worried about the future and how you're going to cope. It's important to talk with your partner about how you're feeling.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
Mom rage can lead to outbursts of intense anger and rage that can make you feel like you've lost control of yourself. You may not recognize yourself, or you could feel like a different person entirely — one you might not like all that much.
You have unmet needs at that moment.
Many mothers forget to care about their own basic needs as they care for the family which leads to growing exhaustion and short temper. Take a moment to identify if the anger is coming because your cup is not full. No parent can talk calmly with a child when running on low.
Pregnancy is a major life change, and it is normal to feel some stress and emotional changes. If people experience high stress levels or emotions that feel overwhelming or out of their control, they can speak with a doctor. There are no set guidelines for how much stress is too much during pregnancy.