Pregnancy is the outcome of a healthy body and a balanced hormone system. If your body is in good health, your pregnancy will likely be healthy, serving as an indicator of a balanced hormone system. In this article, I will address how stress affects pregnancy and the unborn child.
Pregnancy in a nutshell
A fundamental question arises: How does pregnancy develop in a human body, particularly in a female’s body?
To simplify, blood vessels in the uterus are referred to as uterine vessels, which carry blood. Essentially, anything a female consumes is not directly received by the baby. The food dissolves in the mother’s blood, which then reaches the baby. It undergoes processing through the blood vessels of the womb, placenta, and cord, facilitated by the umbilical cord. During the journey, a plethora of nutrients and medicines flow through the placenta and the cord to reach the baby. This complex mechanism makes sure that the developing baby gets the nutrients and resources it needs for growth and development.
Decoding stress
Now, let’s discuss stress. Stress is a component of the autonomic nervous system in our body. Our body comprises various central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. Additionally, the autonomic nervous system has two parts: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. While stress can have medical implications, acquiring basic knowledge and information enables us to comprehend things more easily.
Let’s break down how the nervous system functions. The sympathetic nervous system operates in the fight-or-flight mode. Consider a scenario where we perceive danger; we promptly enter the fight-or-flight mode. When our sympathetic system is active, our eyes become alert, and our heartbeat accelerates as the heart pumps faster. Respiration also quickens, and the muscles become active. Additionally, if we sense a need for caution, our natural calls may temporarily cease. This experience is familiar, as we have encountered it many times.
As for the parasympathetic system, it is consistently present in our bodies. To illustrate, when a person is in a relaxed state, the heartbeat naturally slows down, promoting calmness, and respiration becomes steady. This state also signifies normal and healthy digestion. You can now infer the relationship between these two systems.
The mother needs to be careful
Stress is a natural occurrence in the human body or any other body. The parasympathetic system consists of two components, and maintaining a balance between them is essential. When stress is consciously or unconsciously embraced, the sympathetic system becomes active. Stress, often rooted in uncertain or imaginary situations, triggers contemplation and may lead to panic. Occasional activation of the sympathetic system in such situations is normal, but continuous alertness raises concerns.
It’s important to note that prolonged activation of the sympathetic system results in the production of detrimental hormones like steroids in our body. Some expectant mothers (women in late pregnancy) attempt to evade reality by resorting to smartphone use. However, it’s crucial to understand that this does not address the underlying problem.
To conclude, blood vessels, the sympathetic system, and the production of detrimental hormones are impacted in a manner that induces a sense of security. Consequently, there is a reduction in blood flow. In essence, stress excessively activates the sympathetic system, while simultaneously lessening the activity of the parasympathetic system, leading to decreased blood flow to the baby. This, in turn, has a comprehensive impact on pregnancy health. Hence, stress poses a significant threat to an expecting mother: stress affects pregnancy.
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