If You're Stressed In Pregnancy, Baby Is Too

As parents, our hearts long for the same thing: to give our children the very best start in life. Yet, even with the best intentions, the reality is that childhood health struggles are becoming more and more common. Allergies, asthma, ADHD, and autism are rising at alarming levels, leaving many parents asking: Is there anything I can do to support my child’s health even before birth?

The answer is yes. It begins with understanding how your baby’s nervous system develops during pregnancy.

The Perfect Storm: A Common Pattern

Across chiropractic offices, a repeated story is being told by families:

• Fertility struggles and stressful pregnancies

• Birth interventions such as induction, epidurals, forceps, vacuum, or C-section

• Babies struggling with colic, reflux, sleep, or nursing challenges

• Later difficulties with focus, emotions, or anxiety in childhood

This cycle is what we call “The Perfect Storm:” a series of stressors that build on each other, affecting both mom and baby’s developing nervous systems.

The Numbers That Matter

When we look at the statistics, it is clear why families feel overwhelmed:

• The U.S. ranks last among developed nations in maternal and infant mortality

• Over $50 billion is spent each year on childbirth

• The fertility clinic services market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $16.8 billion by 2028

• 1 in 4 women are induced during labor

• About 70-75% of women receive an epidural

• 1 in 3 babies are born by cesarean, far above the World Health Organization’s recommended rate of 10-15%

• 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression

While some interventions are absolutely necessary, the stress load placed on moms and babies is higher than ever. The good news is there are ways to build resilience and adaptability through pregnancy and beyond.

Why Your Nervous System Matters

Hormones play a big role in pregnancy, but there is an even greater control center at work: the nervous system.

Your autonomic nervous system has two branches that work together to keep you healthy:

Sympathetic (fight or flight): increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, tenses muscles, and prepares the body to handle stress.

Parasympathetic (rest, digest, heal): promotes calm, supports digestion, boosts immune function, and restores balance.

A healthy nervous system moves smoothly between both states, allowing your body to respond appropriately to different situations. However, when your nervous system becomes imbalanced, it can lead to chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation.

The Stress Pathways: HPA vs HPG

Nervous system dysregulation can lead to numerous hormonal imbalances, including painful menstrual cycles, fertility struggles, and irregular cycles. When your body is stuck in chronic stress mode with an overactive sympathetic nervous system and an underactive parasympathetic system, it disrupts the hormonal balance necessary for conception and healthy fetal development.

Two important hormonal systems are directly affected by chronic stress:

HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal): kicks in during stress, releasing cortisol and stress hormones.

HPG Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal): regulates reproductive hormones necessary for fertility and pregnancy.

When stress is constant, the HPA axis overrides the HPG axis, making it harder to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Balance between these systems is essential.

How Your Stress Becomes Baby’s Stress

Through the umbilical cord, your baby doesn’t just receive nutrition and oxygen. Their developing nervous system is also shaped by the signals from yours. This means your growing baby experiences any stress or emotional challenges you face during pregnancy.

High levels of maternal stress can alter fetal neurodevelopment and lead to various health challenges later in life. When you experience chronic stress, your sympathetic nervous system is constantly activated, and this stress pattern is transmitted to your growing baby.

Baby’s Nervous System Development Timeline

Understanding when your baby's nervous system develops can help you appreciate the importance of supporting your own nervous system health throughout pregnancy:

First Trimester

Week 3: Nervous system begins to form

Weeks 5-8: Major organs develop

Week 6: Sympathetic nerves (involved in social development) begin to form

Second Trimester

Weeks 13-16: Bones and muscles develop

Week 17: Cerebellum begins to form

Week 26: Vagus nerve myelination occurs

Third Trimester

Weeks 29-32: Immune system develops

Weeks 33-36: Rapid brain development occurs

Week 37: Autonomic nervous system fully develops

Week 40: Vagus nerve and immune system mature

Taking Control: Tools for Growing Healthy Babies

The good news is that you have more control than you might think. While you can't control everything, you can set your body up to be resilient and adaptable to whatever comes your way.

Start by prioritizing your overall health before conception:

• Nourish your body with real, whole foods

• Move your body regularly and gently

• Practice healthy stress management tools

• Address underlying health concerns early

• Seek chiropractic care that supports your nervous system

By laying a strong foundation before conception, you increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby.

Build Your Circle of Support

Pregnancy is not meant to be walked through alone. Surround yourself with a birth team and environment that truly uplift you:

• Choose providers who honor your values and equip you to make confident, informed choices.

• Consider partnering with midwives, doulas, pelvic floor therapists, or lactation consultants who can advocate for you and walk with you through each stage.

• Find a prenatal chiropractor who specializes in supporting the nervous system.

Caring for Your Nervous System During Pregnancy

Your nervous system is the foundation of health for both you and your baby. Nourish it daily through simple, consistent habits:

• Practice deep breathing, prayer, or meditation to calm and reset.

• Move your body with gentle, pregnancy-safe exercises.

• Prioritize restful sleep and moments of stillness.

• Lean into friendships and emotional support.

• Include chiropractic care that is focused on restoring balance to your nervous system.

The Role of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic

At Tiffin Family Chiropractic, we focus on the nervous system because it is the foundation of health for both mom and baby. With tools like Neurological INSiGHT Scans, we can see how your nervous system is functioning and create a personalized care plan to help you adapt to stress, heal, and thrive. Families often notice benefits such as:

• Better sleep and stress adaptation

• Improved immune function

• Healthier fetal positioning

• More enjoyable pregnancy and postpartum seasons

The Foundation For Lifelong Health

Your baby’s health story begins long before their first breath. By supporting your own nervous system, you are also shaping theirs. While no pregnancy or birth is free from challenges, you can create the best environment possible for growth, resilience, and lasting health.

If you are ready to take that step, reach out to us at Tiffin Family Chiropractic. If you are outside our area, you can find a PX Docs office near you.

Investing in your neurological health is one of the greatest gifts you can give your growing baby, because your resilience helps them be resilient too.