Prenatal Stress and Infant Health
It’s hard to avoid stress. For mothers who are expecting a baby, worry is compounded. This can make managing stress even more important as it’s such a critical time in the baby’s development. Research indicates that stress hormones experienced by a pregnant mother in the early gestation period have been associated with delayed development over the first year of life and has been shown to affect mental health development at 12 months old.
The cortisol and adrenaline released when stress is present in the body can bathe the infant in these hormones and influence the child’s central nervous system and how he or she functions in the future. While this information is not meant to induce more stress, we emphasize this to let expectant mothers know that there are programs that can help reduce stress that are nonmedical, noninvasive, drug free and don’t require a therapist.
Neurofeedback is one of these programs that has been used successfully by pregnant mothers to manage their stress. This not only improves the health of the mother but the baby, as well. Helping to move out of an overwhelmed and stressed central nervous system, neurofeedback gently exercises the brain by mirroring to itself exactly what it’s doing, allowing the central nervous system to make changes so that it can perform more efficiently. Neurofeedback training has provided positive outcomes in mothers and babies as it often improves their skills in transitioning into calm and focus when needed.
The cortisol and adrenaline released when stress is present in the body can bathe the infant in these hormones and influence the child’s central nervous system and how he or she functions in the future. While this information is not meant to induce more stress, we emphasize this to let expectant mothers know that there are programs that can help reduce stress that are nonmedical, noninvasive, drug free and don’t require a therapist.
Neurofeedback is one of these programs that has been used successfully by pregnant mothers to manage their stress. This not only improves the health of the mother but the baby, as well. Helping to move out of an overwhelmed and stressed central nervous system, neurofeedback gently exercises the brain by mirroring to itself exactly what it’s doing, allowing the central nervous system to make changes so that it can perform more efficiently. Neurofeedback training has provided positive outcomes in mothers and babies as it often improves their skills in transitioning into calm and focus when needed.
“I was in an abusive relationship when I was pregnant and worried about my stress hormones affecting my baby’s ability to handle stress. Neurofeedback was recommended for me, and I did brain training while pregnant. My baby was born and is healthy, happy and easy going with no negative side effects. I continue to train and have since started my own practice and love working with pregnant and new moms providing neurofeedback brain training.” – 27-Year-Old Mom with a Trauma Background
The neurofeedback program may be especially helpful for pregnant or new moms going through a divorce, death of a loved one, job loss, health problems, an accident, medical procedures or a life trauma.
Neurofeedback has also been used by new moms with restless and colicky infants. Often done with an infant while the baby is nursing or feeding, many new moms have found neurofeedback to help their baby to better regulate themselves. As a holistic brain training tool, the program does not push the brain in any one direction, but merely reflects back to itself what brain is doing.
New moms have also found neurofeedback to help in managing their mood, improving focus, helping them to sleep better, and to feel less stressed. In turn, their baby often reflects these positive changes in their own regulation.
If you are a pregnant or new mom, and are interested in learning more, please sign up for a free consultation to see if you may benefit from a neurofeedback program.
Resources:
Neurofeedback has also been used by new moms with restless and colicky infants. Often done with an infant while the baby is nursing or feeding, many new moms have found neurofeedback to help their baby to better regulate themselves. As a holistic brain training tool, the program does not push the brain in any one direction, but merely reflects back to itself what brain is doing.
New moms have also found neurofeedback to help in managing their mood, improving focus, helping them to sleep better, and to feel less stressed. In turn, their baby often reflects these positive changes in their own regulation.
If you are a pregnant or new mom, and are interested in learning more, please sign up for a free consultation to see if you may benefit from a neurofeedback program.
Resources:
- The Timing of Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Cortisol and Psychosocial Stress is Associated with Human Infant Cognitive Development
- Will stress during pregnancy affect my baby?
- Dr. Gabor Maté: Parental Stress and Its Impact on Kids (Video)
- Less Stress for Healthier Mom, Baby