Pregnancy Stress: How Chronic Anxiety Impacts Baby's Development

• Occasional stress during pregnancy is normal and generally harmless to the baby, according to Dr. Sujata Rathod and Dr. Richa Bharadwaj.
• Chronic, unmanaged stress can elevate cortisol levels, potentially reducing placental blood flow and affecting fetal growth or birth weight.
• Long-term stress may indirectly impact fetal development by disrupting the mother's sleep and nutrition, leading to fewer resources for the baby.
• Experts emphasize that persistent anxiety or an inability to cope, rather than everyday worries, signals a need for support or intervention.
• Holistic approaches like Pranic Healing suggest that a mother's emotional state and energy fields are closely connected to the baby's development.

Why It Matters: While occasional stress is normal, chronic pregnancy stress can negatively impact fetal development through hormonal and indirect pathways.