During pregnancy, your body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. Stress, resulting from lifestyle, stimulant use or exposure to anxiety-making conditions, can affect both your physiological and psychological well-being. While stress affects the levels of certain hormones in your body, namely cortisol and adrenaline, as of 2011 research does not offer evidence that stress affects the levels or production of HCG. However, managing stress during pregnancy is essential and chronic or extreme stress can contribute to poor health.
HCG
HCG is manufactured by the cells that form the placenta, which serves to nourish the egg after it has been implanted in the wall of the uterus. Lab tests can typically detect HCG in the bloodstream 11 days after conception. Once your body begins to produce HCG, levels will double roughly every 72 hours, reaching their peak within the first eight to 11 weeks of pregnancy and then leveling off for the remainder of your term.
Stress and Pregnancy
While mild stress is an unavoidable feature of life, chronic or acute stress can negatively affect your health, including your psychological and social well-being. Stress can produce many symptoms, including chest pains, headaches and breathing problems, as well as intense emotions of anxiety, guilt, worry and frustration. Stress can also affect your social behaviors, and contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and the tendency to seek isolation. High levels of stress are equated with an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and depression, and in the case of an existing medical condition, stress can cause symptoms to worsen.
Research has suggested that high levels of stress may increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. However, according to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, these studies may not offer a complete picture of risk. Because feelings of stress are frequently accompanied by unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking and poor diet, it is difficult to determine if stress alone contributes to risk.
HCG and Stress
Although stress can affect your body and mind in multiple ways, as of 2011 there is no research to suggest that stress influences HCG. A July 2010 study published in "Biological Research for Nursing" examined the relationship between HCG, stress and vomiting and nausea across the three trimesters of pregnancy. The researchers did not find any evidence of an association between stress and HCG; however, they did identify that both stress and HCG may be related to morning sickness.
Managing Stress During Pregnancy
Even though stress has no measurable impact on HCG levels during pregnancy, stress can still take a toll on the the health of both you and your child. To reduce stress may necessitate making changes in your life to limit your contact with people or situations that cause anxiety or frustration. Getting adequate rest and engaging in regular exercise also help to modify stress, and talking about your feelings with friends and family can help to relieve the sense of emotional burden. If stress becomes chronic and interferes with your mental state and daily functioning, consult your doctor to discuss options for treatment.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): The Pregnancy Hormone
- Organization of Teratology Information Specialists: Stress and Pregnancy
- "Biological Research for Nursing"; Relationships Between Leptin, HCG, Cortisol, and Psychosocial Stress and Nausea and Vomiting Throughout Pregnancy; S.H. Kuo et al.; July 2010
