stress early age

Stress begins at an early age: before you might imagine

by Barry Bittman, MD

It’s obvious that no one is immune to stress. As adults, we experience it daily and we often see it in our children. Symptoms of stress are especially apparent in teenagers these days. If we take a closer look, it can even be seen in toddlers who become easily frustrated when things don’t seem to go their way. Yet what you may not realize is the fact that stress actually occurs before a child takes his/her first breath!

Researchers at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York recently measured fetal stress triggered by frustration in the mother. Expectant mothers were given challenging computer exercises while heart rate, blood pressure and breathing were measured. Sensors simultaneously measured fetal heart rate and movements. As the women struggled with computer-generated challenges, their responses reflected biological changes consistent with stress, such as increased heart rate and elevations in blood pressure. The breakthrough was that biological changes were also detected in each fetus.

For most of us, stress is easy to understand yet difficult to define. What causes stress varies considerably. Stress is basically a psychobiological response to what we perceive as threatening. Anything that causes us to struggle emotionally or physically induces stress. Since our perceptions are as individualized as our genetic code, what triggers a stressful response for one person often does not affect another in the same way.

The question that remains to be answered is whether or not the changes measured in the womb alter the development of the child. While it is well-established that severe stress in pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight, precise mechanisms are unknown. Longstanding effects can only be presumed at this time.

What we do know is that the brain processes information received from our five senses and from an incredible array of specialized sensors within our bodies. As a result, what is perceived as stressful triggers a series of biological events that signal the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline. These, in turn, produce changes in heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, metabolism and immune function. The release of stress hormones in the body also significantly alters brain function.

While we realize that high levels of stress can increase one’s chances of suffering a heart attack, stroke or other serious illnesses, it has also been shown that stress can compromise immune function¾ thereby making a person more susceptible to infection. Stress has also been shown to reverse the beneficial effects of chemotherapy in animals with cancer. Recently, chronic stress has been directly implicated in memory loss resulting from cells that die in an area of the brain termed the hippocampus.

Essentially what occurs in the mind affects the body and visa versa. The mind-body connection is inseparable. Therefore, it’s only logical that what happens in the mother affects the unborn child and ultimately the fetal mind in its most critical and formative stage of development.

While the data isn’t in yet, we shouldn’t wait for long-term studies to prove what is predictable based upon what we already know. Frankly, we don’t have the time to sacrifice the next generation while we carefully research this issue. Now is the best time for all mothers to realize that their bodies are God’s special incubators for little people in their most important stages of development. That’s why careful attention to healthy nutrition, exercise and stress reduction can make a substantial difference for every precious child who needs the best possible start in our challenging world.

During those stressful times of pregnancy, take time to restore a sense of inner balance. Consider mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, yoga, Tai Chi, music, leisurely walks in a park, or doing whatever helps you relax. Begin by simply smiling and imagining the wonderful expression on the face of the child growing within you¾ Mind Over Matter!