High – stress levels are not good for our health in general. And it also affect your fertility and the health of your pregnancy. When a person is faced with a stressor, their body enters a fight or flight mode which in turn can negatively affect conception, pregnancy, and even birth.
The Physical Damage Caused by Stress
1. During very stressful situations your body release Cortisol. It also triggers a fight or flight reaction in your body. This can disrupt ovulation and the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle.
2. High – stress levels can also result in hypertensive disease. A woman has an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, placenta abruption, poor fetal growth and maternal stroke when she enters pregnancy with high blood pressure.
Tips to Lower your Stress:
1. Get active. Getting a healthy amount of exercise can help lower stress and lead to a healthier body. Exercise can also facilitate healthy weight management and weight loss if that is a factor for you.
2. Eat a healthy diet. When people are stressed, they tend to eat in less healthy ways. Constant stress has been shown to lead to weight gain, and weight gain and obesity have in turn been linked to fertility problems. On the flip side, some people cope with stress by dieting or find that they lose their appetite when under a lot of pressure.
Obesity can also negatively impact male fertility, leading to lower sperm counts. Just as being overweight can lead to fertility problems, weighing too little or not eating enough can also affect your reproductive potential. Being significantly underweight can cause amenorrhea, and no menstrual cycle means no ovulation. Without ovulation, you can’t get pregnant.
3. Embrace relaxation. Hang out with friends that make you happy and relaxed. You can also try yoga, practice deep breathing, get a massage, learn to meditate. Take time for hobbies. Read a book, listen to music, catch up on your favorite podcast.
4. Protect healthy sleep. Sleep 8 hours a night. Some ways to improve your sleep habits include:
- Creating a bedtime routine and sticking with it
- Avoiding work or checking email just before sleep
- Having a cup of herbal tea just before bed
- Avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon and evening
- Keeping your bedroom work- and TV-free
Start lowering your stress level by identifying your biggest sources of stress and start making changes toward a healthier body, mind and spirit!
If you want to learn more about preparing for a healthy pregnancy and baby, we invite you to have a call with our admissions advisor. Book your call here: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/discovery-calls/
