How to get rid of nervousness during pregnancy

Hormonal changes expose pregnant women to unstable psychological states, which may negatively affect the fetus and make it more susceptible to emotions in the future. Stress and nervousness may also contribute to premature birth, lack of oxygen in the child, and the appearance of birth defects. Therefore, in this article, we will review through the Dalili Medical website safe ways to get rid of nervousness during pregnancy.

Does the mother's nervousness affect the fetus?

Yes, definitely; as the mother's nervousness leads to an increase in her heart rate and blood pressure, which raises the levels of energy hormones such as adrenaline and epinephrine in the pregnant woman. This stress causes blood vessels to contract, which reduces the flow of oxygen to the uterus and negatively affects the blood supply to the fetus.

Why does the pregnant woman feel angry quickly?

Rapid changes in hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone, are among the main causes of mood swings during pregnancy. The level of estrogen increases significantly during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, exceeding 100 times, and this hormone is linked to the chemical serotonin in the brain.

Does nervousness lead to miscarriage?

Can severe stress cause early miscarriage? Although excessive stress has a negative impact on your overall health, there is no evidence that stress can lead to spontaneous miscarriage. Statistics indicate that about 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage.

Does nervousness affect the fetus's heartbeat?

Researchers reported that animal studies have shown that exposure to stress during fetal development may affect heart development. They also added that stress may prompt mothers to make decisions that may be harmful to fetuses, such as changing their healthy diet, or that stress may affect the fetus's DNA in the womb.

Does excessive nervousness indicate pregnancy with a boy?

Many people wonder if nervousness is a sign of pregnancy with a boy. The truth is that fluctuating hormone levels during pregnancy is normal, and occurs regardless of the sex of the fetus. Therefore, there is no direct relationship between mood swings and the sex of the newborn.

Does nervousness affect the health of the fetus?

Most pregnant women pay great attention to preparations to receive the newborn, ignoring the importance of their psychological and emotional state, which directly affects the fetus. Exposure to psychological stress can lead to the secretion of certain hormones that are transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, which may cause miscarriage or various deformities.

What happens to the fetus when the mother screams?

The fetus in the mother's womb feels all the feelings she goes through. If the mother is happy, the fetus will also feel happy, and if she is sad, it will share those feelings. American studies have shown that the fetus can distinguish between the mother's psychological state and integrate with it naturally.

Is crying normal during pregnancy?

Studies indicate that about 7% of pregnant women suffer from depression during pregnancy, and this percentage may be higher in low- and middle-income countries. Depression, which is known as a mood disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, is the most common mood disorder among people.

**The effect of the mother's feelings on the fetus**

The mother's feelings of anger greatly affect the fetus, through:

- Increased risk of premature birth before the 37th week of pregnancy.

- Facing difficulties during the birth process.

- Increased fetal activity.

- Poor fetal growth.

- Irregular sleep patterns in the newborn.

- Low levels of dopamine in the newborn.

- Low birth weight of the fetus to less than 1.5 kilograms, which may increase the risk of infant death.

Causes of pregnant women's nervousness

There are many reasons that lead to pregnant women's nervousness, the most prominent of which are:

**Hormonal changes** Hormonal changes are one of the main factors that contribute to pregnant women's nervousness, as they make them more susceptible to emotional fluctuations such as anger and sadness. Physical changes associated with pregnancy may also increase their feelings of discomfort and anger.

**Inequality** Pregnant women's nervousness may result from their feelings of inequality or discrimination during pregnancy. Some women may face difficulties in obtaining maternity leave from their employers, or they may not find sufficient support from their husbands in housework, which increases their feelings of frustration and anger.

**Pregnancy Problems**Pregnancy problems are one of the main reasons that lead to the pregnant woman feeling stressed and nervous, as she faces many challenges such as nausea, fatigue, abdominal and back muscle pain, in addition to muscle spasms. All of these symptoms may make her feel anxious and angry, especially if her needs are not met.

**Fear** Women often express their feelings of fear through anger or nervousness, as a result of their anxiety about pregnancy, labor, delivery processes, and the health of the newborn. The pregnant woman also feels anxious and nervous about adding a new child to the family and the resulting financial and personal responsibilities.

**Fear of change** The pregnant mother is certainly aware of the changes that will occur in her life after the birth of the child, which may cause her stress and fear of these changes. This feeling of the unknown can lead to the pregnant woman being nervous and having difficulty controlling her feelings.

**Fatigue and stress**Fatigue and stress in the first trimester of pregnancy are factors that contribute to the pregnant woman’s nervousness and mood swings. Fatigue negatively affects the body and mind of the pregnant woman, and drains her energy. This fatigue may also affect the quality of her sleep, which increases her feeling of exhaustion and hinders her ability to live her life normally.

**Morning Sickness**Morning sickness is one of the annoying physical symptoms that pregnant women face, and it may result in significant psychological and mental effects. Under these circumstances, it mayWomen find it difficult to improve their psychological state, especially with the anxiety resulting from anticipating upcoming nausea attacks.

**Physical changes** A woman lives a period of overwhelming happiness during pregnancy, as a small being grows inside her. However, the physical changes that occur to her cannot be ignored, which she may not like at times. These changes may negatively affect her self-image and self-esteem.

Increased nervousness during pregnancy can be the result of a combination of internal and external factors, such as:

- Concern about the health of the child and the need to maintain the pregnancy.

- Stress associated with the birth process and labor pains.

- Concerns related to parenthood: Will I be a good mother (and will my partner be a suitable father)?

- Fear of changes in the current lifestyle (such as work, emotions, and social relationships).

- Unplanned motherhood or being a single mother.

- Conflicts with the husband during pregnancy, which increases feelings of anxiety and tension about the future.

How often do you experience extreme stress and nervousness during pregnancy?

Stressful situations release stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine, which affect the body's natural coping mechanisms and balance. Symptoms of severe nervousness during pregnancy include:

- A sudden feeling of heat, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure.

- A feeling of pins and needles in the chest area, in addition to sweating.

- Rapid breathing, and sometimes a feeling of dizziness and headache.

- Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (for example, after an emotional situation, a quarrel with the husband, or a stressful conversation with the manager).

- Appetite disorders, such as eating due to stress or losing appetite completely.

Factors that may lead to psychological changes in pregnant women?

There are several factors that may increase the likelihood of psychological changes in pregnant women, the most prominent of which are:

- A previous history of mental or psychological problems in women.

- The pregnant woman feels a lack of adequate psychological support.

- Facing difficulties in social relationships.

- Drug abuse or alcohol consumption.

Psychological changes during the first trimester of pregnancy

The psychological changes that a pregnant woman goes through in the first months may not be clear, but they are considered very important. The most prominent of these psychological changes that occur during the first trimester of pregnancy are:

**Anxiety about miscarriage:** Some new mothers feel afraid of losing their fetus, especially since the miscarriage rate reaches about 20% at this stage. This anxiety can greatly affect the psychological state of the pregnant woman in the first months.

**Amplification of feelings:** The mother begins to experience rapid emotional fluctuations, as feelings that did not affect her before become magnified. Situations that did not bother her in the past may become tearful and cause depression and anger. Also, the high levels of stress in a woman's life may lead to nausea and vomiting.

The severity of these psychological changes varies from one woman to another, as they depend on the woman's personality, the type of pressures she faces, the extent of emotional support she receives, in addition to the hormonal changes she goes through during this period.

Psychological changes for pregnant women during the second trimester

After the end of the period of anxiety and psychological pressure that the pregnant woman suffers from in the first three months, emotional and psychological changes begin to appear with the entry of the fourth month, which represents the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy. These changes are usually less severe, but some mothers may feel anxious about weight gain, and there may be a link between the psychological state of the pregnant woman and the type of fetus.

The most prominent psychological changes during this period include:

**Need for a partner:**With the beginning of the fetus's movement inside the uterus, the pregnant woman's need for her life partner increases, as she has greater requirements than usual. She may feel anxious about the availability, interest, and ability of her partner to support her during this stage.

**Sexual desire:**A woman's sexual desire increases during the second trimester of pregnancy as a result of increased vaginal lubricating secretions, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, in addition to the decrease in symptoms of nausea and increased breast sensitivity, which may affect the intimate relationship.

Psychological changes in pregnant women in the third trimester

The psychological state of a pregnant woman is greatly affected during the last months of pregnancy, as:

- She begins to prepare psychologically and physically for childbirth.

- She feels increasingly anxious about the labor and delivery process.

- She notices a decrease in her physical ability to perform daily activities.

Given the importance of the psychological state of the pregnant woman in the eighth and ninth months before childbirth, the woman needs during this period:

- More attention and support from her partner, family, and friends.

- Psychological support related to her physical appearance, which may negatively affect her self-confidence.

- Confirmation from her life partner regarding the decrease in sexual desire, which will help boost her self-confidence.

Tips to enhance the feeling of happiness during pregnancy?

- Live every day as it is: It is important to focus on the present moment and care for your child. This will help you deal with the challenges you face instead of being preoccupied with non-existent problems. Focusing on happiness during this period will enable you to face all the things that may arise.

- Spending time with family and friends: This can help build your strength and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Talking to a family member can be an effective way to bring joy and laughter, which can change your mood and help you feel connected. These connections can be a powerful source of support and encouragement during pregnancy.

- Spending time in a meditation session: This session can help reduce stress, enhance the ability to control anxiety, improve a positive outlook on life, improve sleep quality, help relieve pain, and lower blood pressure.

- Getting a massageWomen find it difficult to improve their psychological state, especially with the anxiety resulting from anticipating upcoming nausea attacks.