Let us know about Can stress cause premature labour? After the good news of a baby coming into the family, it is very important to take careful care of the nine months. Be it food, health or language, people are very cautious to give the best of everything to their child. But what do you do about the things you can’t control? Stress is one of the most unwanted aspects of one’s life, especially when a woman is going to give birth to another life. The theory suggests that stress not only affects the health of both mother and baby but also affects the labor cycle. Can stress cause labor pain? This is a key question, and this article will explain you all about it. Let’s start Can stress cause premature labour.
How to identify stress and its effects during pregnancy
To understand the consequences of stress for a mother-to-be, one must first understand what stress is and how it affects your body. When a woman is under stress, the body releases a stress hormone called cortisol. Increased cortisol can lead to high blood pressure , diabetes , and even miscarriage .
Stress is divided into two parts: acute and chronic. Acute stress is stress that is temporary and does not cause the body to react for a very long time. A fight with a relative or a presentation in the office causes intense stress. Chronic stress, on the other hand, refers to external problems going on in a woman’s life that adversely affect the body over time. The death of a loved one or being involved in long-running court cases are examples of chronic stress.
Although there is no evidence that stress directly affects changes in labor, it does have a physical effect on the body, which, in turn, affects the process of labor. But the question to be asked is – can stress cause premature delivery?
Acute stress does not affect the body to a great extent. However, chronic stress can cause false contractions, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions .
How to reduce stress during pregnancy
Apart from a healthy and a regular sleep , there are some measures that a pregnant woman can take to ensure that she remains calm and avoids stress during pregnancy.
1 . Meditate
One of the best ways to calm yourself is by forgetting the responsibilities and duties of your daily life for a moment. For meditation, sit at a place in a comfortable position and take deep breaths. You can play any slow music in the background to create a peaceful atmosphere. The sound of the ocean or the sound of rain are known to create a calming, stress-free atmosphere.
2. Go to a counselor
It is never wrong to seek professional help. Going to a counselor can help you get your mind off things during pregnancy and also give you expert advice on how to deal with the situation.
3. Write down ideas
One of the best ways to think and analyze a situation is to get your feelings out on paper. It helps you get your feelings out without feeling the need to be right or moral. It is one of the most natural ways of being expressed. Writing down your thoughts is a great way for the mom-to-be to express her feelings when needed.
4. Use rock salt
Adding Epsom salt in water and taking bath or staying alone in water for some time helps in relaxation. Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfates that are absorbed into the skin and help relax the nervous system and reduce muscle tension.
5 . Yoga Exercise
Let us tell you that physical training is difficult and it is advised to be careful while doing it while pregnant, but doing yoga exercises is considered a great way to avoid too much pressure on the body. However, be sure to consult your doctor before doing any exercise , including yoga.
6. Planning and budgeting ahead of time
After the birth of a child, a woman faces many problems and stress, such as her financial condition and all her work getting disrupted, all this due to her not planning in advance. Therefore, planning and budgeting ahead in the initial months of pregnancy helps in preventing mistakes from happening later.
7. Keep laughing
Your laughing during stress may sound a bit absurd, but it is a true fact that laughing and being happy helps in reducing stress. It reduces stress hormones and releases endorphin hormones in the body which calms the body. So, grab a tub of popcorn and watch a great comedy movie.
Sometimes some complications occur during pregnancy. Moreover, stress increases the problems further, which is neither beneficial for the mother nor for the child. Therefore, the most important thing is to remain calm and avoid any stress and to maintain the environment according to the child, the mother-to-be can do many activities and save herself from any trouble.
