How Maternal Stress Affects the Developing Baby
Pregnancy is a beautiful, sacred journey—but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy.
From physical discomfort to emotional ups and downs, many pregnant mothers experience stress. While some stress is completely normal, ongoing or intense stress can have a deeper impact—one that reaches beyond just the mother.
Research has shown that maternal stress can influence the growth and development of the baby in the womb. As a doula and educator, I believe in supporting the whole mother—body, mind, and heart. That’s why it’s so important to understand how stress affects pregnancy and how we can reduce its effects with love, care, and support.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
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What Is Maternal Stress?
Maternal stress refers to the emotional and physical strain a woman experiences during pregnancy. This can be caused by many things, including:
Financial pressure
Relationship or family conflict
Fear of childbirth
Health concerns
Work or environmental stress
Trauma, anxiety, or depression
During stressful times, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol. When stress becomes chronic, those hormones can stay elevated—and some of them can reach your baby through the placenta.
How Can Stress Affect the Baby?
While every pregnancy is different, chronic stress has been linked to:
Brain Development Changes
Excess cortisol may affect areas of the baby’s brain that regulate emotions, memory, and learning.
Increased Risk of Preterm Birth & Low Birth Weight
Prolonged stress can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby, which may slow growth or contribute to early labor.
Greater Risk of Emotional and Behavioral Issues
Some studies suggest that children exposed to high maternal stress during pregnancy may be more likely to experience anxiety, ADHD symptoms, or difficulties with emotional regulation.
Epigenetic Changes
Stress can even affect how your baby’s genes are expressed—possibly influencing how they respond to stress later in life.
The Good News: Stress Can Be Managed
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be supported.
There are so many simple, effective ways to reduce stress during pregnancy:
Build a Support Team
Having a doula, midwife, or supportive birth partner can make all the difference. You deserve people who hold space for your fears, your questions, and your heart.
Practice Mind-Body Tools
Gentle movement (like walking or prenatal yoga), deep breathing, journaling, and meditation all help calm the nervous system.
Talk It Out
Sharing your thoughts with someone you trust—whether a friend, therapist, or childbirth educator—can relieve emotional pressure.
Care for Your Body
Staying nourished, hydrated, and well-rested helps regulate both physical and emotional stress.
You Deserve Peace—So Does Your Baby
Remember: taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby.
Your womb is your baby’s first home. Let’s make it a peaceful one. Whether you’re preparing for your first birth or your fifth, you don’t have to walk this journey alone.
At Shiphrah Birth & Beyond, I’m here to walk beside you—offering emotional support, education, and hands-on comfort through every step of your pregnancy and birth journey.
