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Is Stress Keeping You from Getting Pregnant?
Author: Stef Daniel
Have you been trying to get pregnant, but just can’t with no medical explanation of why? Chances are you are suffering from stress – which is common in men and women who are basking on the edge of becoming parents. And why wouldn’t you be stressed? One of the problems with stress and pregnancy is that many women find with each passing week and month where they aren’t pregnant, their focus shifts to thinking something is wrong. Obviously, positive thinking and optimism isn’t the only answer to getting pregnant – but it does increase your chances. Here’s why!
Firstly, when you are stressed or emotionally overloaded your body naturally releases hormones in order to ‘protect’ you. These hormones disrupt the natural hormonal releases that are needed to stay healthy and get pregnant. Essentially, the stress blocks the release of hormones that are conducive to keeping your body in tune. This could lead to a lack of ovulation, disrupted cycles, and even illness. Studies conducted actually proved that a compound found in women with high levels of stress, called alpha-mylase – produced a substantially lower amount of fertility.
In fact, in the study, women with this stress compound found in their saliva had only a 12% chance of conception over a year. These numbers are pretty telling. Obviously, the ripple effect of trying to conceive and not doing so month after month only increase your stress levels. Compound that with day-to-day stressors caused by relationships, work, and money and you have a recipe for conception disaster.
There is hope. You have to be able to recognize your own stress levels. This can be done by paying attention to your thoughts – which always produce a feeling. If you are feeling discouraged, hopeless, frustrated, overwhelmed, exhausted, and over worked, chances are you have some pretty negative thoughts that go along with it.
Learning to manage stress can definitely help you conceive. Try to find activities that you find soothing to you. It could be scheduling a daily walk in nature, journaling, reading, or even better, an exercise class like yoga or Zumba. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you engage in some activity EVERY DAY that helps you to release your stress levels. As it pertains to getting pregnant, do your very best to think positive and remain optimistic. You may find that by changing your mind and reducing your stress, you will be like millions of women who get pregnant the minute they stop trying.
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