Can Your Anxiety Affect Your Baby?

SOMATOPHYSICS: The idea that “basic physiological processes affect the personality structure, perception, and performance of an individual.”

We know that hormones easily cross over the placenta. If a mother’s bloodstream is constantly flooded with stress hormones, the baby will also be affected by those hormones throughout the entire pregnancy.

This perpetual exposure to maternal neurohormones may predispose the fetus to anxiety because over time it will change the unborn baby’s body chemistry.

Studies on this theory all evolve around extreme, ongoing stress; not minor stressors that we all deal with daily.

That said, we are living through a very uncertain and stressful time. I think it’s extra important to find self-care practices that help you lessen the anxiety that has come with this pandemic.

• go for a walk while listening to relaxing music

• make a relaxing playlist to listen to at bedtime or whenever you need to chill out

• practice some relaxation or positive visualization techniques paired with music that makes you feel good

• try to be easy on yourself!