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Pregnancy and Stress
By Jennifer Howard, MA
While the holidays are a time of joy, they can also be very stressful.
Decorating the house, shopping for gifts and attending holiday gatherings can take a
lot of time and energy. If you are also preparing for the arrival of your new baby, the
additional stress can become overwhelming for expectant parents. For pregnant women,
keeping stress at a moderate level during pregnancy plays an important role in having a
healthy baby.
When you feel emotionally stressed, your body releases stress hormones. If a woman is
pregnant, these hormones can keep the baby from getting oxygen and nutrients that she
needs to grow properly. Research has shown that high levels of stress during pregnancy
can cause babies to be born prematurely. It is also linked to respiratory problems and
physical defects in the newborn. So if you are expecting a baby, it is very important
to keep your holiday stress to a minimum, as it will benefit both you and your baby!
For expectant fathers and partners - if you see that she is overwhelmed by all the things
that have to get done, remind her to take a moment and relax. Give her a massage, remind
her to take deep cleansing breaths, or to go take a nice hot bath or shower. Even better,
take on a few chores yourself!
Here are some things that mom-to-be can do to have an enjoyable, low-stress holiday season:
• Accept help!!! Your partner, family, and friends are great people to rely on when
you feel as though you have too much on your plate. Don’t hesitate to ask for or accept
their help.
• Limit Obligations. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the less energy
you will have to attend holiday gatherings. Choose only the ones that won’t stress you out,
and politely decline the others to avoid overextending yourself.
• Be Realistic. Decide which holiday projects are most important to you – baking,
crafting, or entertaining – and focus your energy there. With the preparations for the
new baby time will be limited, so make sure you get to do the things you enjoy during the
holiday season.
• Online Shopping. As you get further along in your pregnancy, being on your feet
for too long can be a problem. Try to shop at times when the stores are less crowded or
shop online and avoid waiting on long lines all together!
• Stop and Smell the Pine Tree. Make sure you take the time to soak in the spirit
of the holiday season and the wonder of your pregnancy. Sometimes the hustle and bustle
of the holidays can become so stressful it can cause you to miss out on these unique and
precious moments.
Take every opportunity to laugh, smile and soak up the joy of the season and excitement of
your pregnancy. By staying relaxed during the holidays, you’ll make the season more
pleasurable, and also give your baby a healthier start.
Jennifer Howard, MA, is a Program Coordinator for Maternal-Infant Services Network (MISN)
of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, a not-for-profit organization that coordinates
health and human services for pregnant women and children. Visit our website at
www.misn-ny.org or call 1-800-453-4666 for more information.
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