So once every six weeks or so, C and I have some kind of major flare up. This time, like so many other times, it feels like a) we’ve made a ton of progress and b) we’re back to square one. Either way, I am aware of how important it is for me to stay grounded and centered these days (and despite wanting to kill C).
According to just about every source I’ve read on the subject, there is a high correlation between maternal stress, premature delivery and low birth weight. Moreover, elevated stress levels produce hormones called corticotrophins, which can influence the development of neurology responsible for personality and emotions, reduce blood flow to the fetus, slow down growth and normal organ development, and lower the mother’s immune system.
For me, this crappy stupid flare up was an opportunity to learn lesson #1: Doesn’t matter what’s going on, the bean needs me to be calm.
Deal.
davee said,
October 15, 2007 at 9:06 pm
hmm… maybe meditation would help during pregnancy? do you think a ‘meditation for pregnancy’ kind of class would be interesting? i never thought about that specific crowd of folks, but seems like it would be helpful.
i wonder if there already are programs like that or if not, where a good place to hold them would be. the stress reduction angle makes a lot of sense in general.
pregnantover40 said,
October 16, 2007 at 2:11 am
definitely – i haven’t heard of any meditation classes for pregnant folks per se, though i have heard of more support/circle type of groups around the east bay. a regular meditation class designed for dealing with the unique stresses of pregnancy (hormones, physical change, changing security needs, etc) is a great idea.
Over40Sis said,
October 16, 2007 at 7:33 am
Then again – women have been giving birth in war zones, during famines, under stress, working in the fields, while in super-crappy marriages, and even enslaved for millennia and the vast majority of those babies turned out fine .
Not to say that you shouldn’t try to stay calm and centered, but the last thing you need to do is put MORE pressure on yourself.
Tell your C it’s on him, anyway. Aren’t men supposed to humor pregnant women?
maternity » Motherhood Lesson: #1 in a series said,
October 16, 2007 at 1:44 pm
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