Everyone feels worried, sad or stressed at times. Very high levels of stress can affect your ability to conceive a baby. Developing babies exposed to high levels of stress may develop problems later in life. If you’re concerned about your worrying, sadness or stress speak with your health care provider. There are many things you can do that can help.
Stress is the emotional, mental and physical strain that happens when something changes in the world around you.
It could be a new job, moving, loss of a family member or friend or a change in finances.
Some stress is positive. It challenges you to try something new or learn how to do something you haven’t done before.
However, high levels of stress or stress that lasts a long time can have negative health effects.
Learn more about stress here.
It’s normal to have many emotions. But if you’re having trouble with your day-to-day life because of your emotions, thoughts or feelings, your mental health may be affecting the quality of your life.
Think about talking with your health care provider if any of the following are affecting you:
Getting help when you first notice the symptoms of depression or anxiety is very important. Depression or anxiety that lasts for a long time can have serious effects for you and your family, and can be harder to treat.
Needing help doesn’t mean you’re weak, or that you won’t be a good parent. The earlier you ask for help, the sooner you can start feeling better.
For more information on emotional health during pregnancy, visit Healthy Parents Healthy Children.
A past mental health concern can increase the chance of having a mental health concern during pregnancy.
A person who had a mental health condition before becoming pregnant is more likely to have:
Visit Healthy Parents, Healthy Children to learn more about mood changes after birth.
Learning ways to manage your mental health before you become pregnant can help your health and the health of your future baby. If you have experienced mental illness or have concerns about your mental health, talk with your health care provider.
Stress can affect your ability to become pregnant or conceive a baby.
High levels of stress can change your hormones. Hormones are chemicals that travel throughout the body and help control how your cells work.
Stress can affect your body’s ability to release an egg (ovulate). Since stress may delay releasing an egg, the days in your cycle that you’re able to become pregnant (fertility window) will change.
Stress can also affect your testosterone levels. This can affect your sperm and sexual function.
If you’re feeling stressed, you may also be less interested in sex.
Stress can have physical, emotional and mental effects. High levels of stress or constant stress is called toxic stress. If your level of stress is very high and constant, your body is making stress hormones almost all the time. This affects how your brain works and can lead to problems with your mental and physical health.
Developing babies exposed to high levels of stress hormones through the placenta are at higher risk of developing learning disabilities, attention disorders, and behavioural or emotional problems.
Some signs that your stress level is high include:
Long-term stress can increase your risk for:
Some ways to cope with stress include:
Learn about your Stress Index here.
Talk with your health care provider if you’re concerned about your stress or mental health.
You can also contact:
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