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It's one of those things that you never know. It could hurt the baby, it could not. It depends on so many things - your health, your chemical reactions, your own level of tolerance of stress. I would say in the majority of cases it will not have an outcome on the baby, the same way as smoking, physical injuries, and much worse don't necessarily reflect on the baby. They are extremely well protected by nature. I had ongoing stress during my first pregnancy and calm second pregnancy. The difference between the kids? They just have different characters, so it would be like comparing apples and oranges. Their characters are built in when conceived, so not much you do would alter that.

Stress potentially can affect your baby, and I have heard of babies whose mothers were stressed out in pregnancy being more high strung and crying more, but that is not always the case. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer my 1st trimester and underwent major surgery when I was twelve weeks pregnant. We had 4-6 very rough weeks between the cancer, surgery, and waiting to find out if the cancer had spread (it had not and they got it all). My baby is healthy, happy, and mild mannered. Try to keep as calm as you can and try to make yourself at least eat something for the baby's sake, even if you don't feel like eating. If your issues are disagreements with relatives, try to distance yourself as much as possible from the cause of the problem. Your baby is the most important thing right now, and if others don't understand that then you shouldn't have to deal with them.

The stress isn't good for you or the baby, but it shouldn't make a difference, as the others have said, as to the disposition of your baby. After your baby is born, though, if you're stressed out, the baby can sense it, and it can affect his or her mood. Try some slow, deep breathing; perhaps it'll help you relax. Keep hydrated, too, and be sure to eat something, as K said (even if you don't feel hungry). It'll help keep you from feeling sick.

I really hope stress doesn't affect the baby. I have an extremely stressful job that requires long hours, and I feel stressed on a regular basis. People say that stress affects conception, too, but when I got pg, I was very stressed out about work and an upcoming surgery I was supposed to have (we tried for over 2 years before getting pg). However, you absolutely need to eat. When you starve yourself, you starve your baby. If the baby doesn't have nutrients, it won't develop properly. I hope things are better w/your family issues!

Ann1, it might make you feel better to know that in addition to the cancer scare we had, I also worked 50 or more hours a week throughout my pregnancy at a pretty fast paced stressful professional job. I was getting ready for work when I went into labor and I had to call into work and say, I'm not going to be in today, I think I'm having a baby instead! Again, my baby is still a really healthy happy kid who doesn't cry very much.

K, that is good to know. 55 is usually my minimum hours/week and it can get as high as 75 (rarely more). My dh and I are both pretty laid back and calm, so I hope that rubs off on the baby! I am glad it worked out for you and that your mom is ok. My mom died from cancer in 2001. I took leave from work and took care of her for 6 months before she died, so I feel your stress on that situation. Are you pg again now or ttc?

Ann1, I'm sorry about your mom. My dad died of cancer in 2004 (which made it that much more stressful when my mom was diagnosed), so I know how horrible it is to watch a parent go through that. I'm neither right now. My daughter is 6 months old. I got hooked on this website and it helped me so much while we were battling infertility and throughout my pregnancy, so I still post sometimes if I think I can be helpful. We would like 2 children and before the baby was born planned to be ttc again by now because of my age, but now we think we will wait another 6 months.

K, are you waiting longer for your body to recover? I wasn't sure what you meant in relation to age. Cancer runs in my family as well. My dad has survived colon cancer and skin cancer. Last year they thought he had cancer in his intestine, but it thankfully wasn't. My mom survived b___st cancer in the late 80s and died from lung cancer that was unrelated to the b___st cancer. She smoked, so I understand the lung cancer one, but sometimes I feel like I am destined to get it! This board (the Problems Getting Pregnant one) really saved my sanity while ttc. I mentioned that it took us over 2 years--after 7 failed iuis (5 clomid and 2 injectibles) I was about to have what would have been my 3rd surgery prior to ivf when I got pg naturally. Go figure! We would like to have 2 as well, but I am so thankful for one that I can deal with this. The whole time we were ttc absolutely no one in our "real life" knew (and they still don't). This board was a life saver to be able to talk to other people about infertility!!

Ann1, Originally, because I am 39 we planned to TTC again right away. We will be back at the RE to do so because we have pretty much a 0% chance without IUI. There are a few reasons we are waiting. The first one you are going to learn for yourself as you and your husband sit looking at each other at 3:00 a.m. laughing at the thought that you once were a little disappointed that you weren't having twins, and didn't understand why the RE (who has 4 kids) looked like he was trying hard to stifle a laugh when you said you would be back to try again 3 months after the baby was born!! I'm not quite ready for 3 months solid of no sleep again. Also, right now I want my daughter to have my full undivided attention a little longer before she has to deal with a sibling. Second, I want to try to keep up the b___stfeeding for the full recommended 1st year. Third, my little angel (who came three weeks early so she was still small enough to manage it) thought it would be funny to flip back into a breech position either the night before I went into labor or possibly during labor (something extremely rare but it sometimes happens according to my Dr), which resulted in me having an emergency C-section. It is better to wait at least 9-12 mths after a C-section before getting pregnant again to reduce the risk of a rupture.

That all makes sense! I didn't know you were supposed to wait that long after a c-section. It is likely that I will have one (age and fibroids). I have borderline high fsh levels as well. I have even wondered if we should try to do ivf right after and retrieve eggs to freeze embies. I am so scared to not be able to have a second baby, if we want a second one after the first one that is! If you only have to wait 9-12 months, you can starty trying in no time!!