Re: odd kinda question

Re: odd kinda question

Posted by Redhead

Posted by Calla

Geez, in case moms don't have enough guilt already. Now its her fault if her child has a demanding temperment?

I know none of you are really blaming, but thats the natural extension of this.

You know what I think -- a cranky baby makes a stressed out mom much more often than the reverse!

jeez it was a discussion not a finger pointing session.
relax nobody is saying ANYTHING is ANYONES fault...

Life by nature is stressful. And it has it's effects one way or another. It is unavoidable to certain degrees...

I was just asking a question

Re: odd kinda question

well imo it was kinda snotty.
and blame and fault wasn't any extension of the question i had

I was just looking for opinions...that was it.

But you are right....the internet does allow for misinterpretation...

Re: odd kinda question

My opinion is No...A baby cannot feel the emotions of the mother such as stress. If they could and it affected babies, well duh no one would want to have a baby since everyones stressed out at some point and would be concerned on pushing stress on a baby.

Its after the babys born that I think the parents stress levels could affect a baby.

Re: odd kinda question

Well, to add a little...I think it depends on HOW stressed you are and what kind of stress you have on your body and mind. For instance, I think if you are so stressed that it makes you ill, then YES, it can affect the baby. Just as if you were ill from anything else. But I think normal stresses of everyday life don't affect the disposition of a baby.

Re: odd kinda question

emilain - Thank you for explaining, you were right on.

And I apologize to Redhead, my intent was not to attack at all.

What came across is the frustrations of new motherhood. There is so much that is outside of our control, but the stakes feel so high! So I was being a bit sarcastic, I apologize.

So, to answer the question without my poor sense of humor, I do not think that stress within everyday common ranges impacts the babies eventual temperment.

Re: odd kinda question

Message edited 12/4/2005 7:15:22 PM.

Re: odd kinda question

Message edited 12/4/2005 7:05:48 PM.

Re: odd kinda question

Consider this, I know families who are dealing with serious illness in one of their children and then the mother is pregnant. Talk about high stress, there is the stress about the fear of the health of your child, your unborn child, financial stressors, work stability, lack of marital intimacy., etc, now that in my mind is the highest stress possible and those kids that I know are emotionally stable and well rounded.

Re: odd kinda question

Re: odd kinda question

I don't know... going by my own experience, I don't buy this theory at all. I was on an emotional rollercoaster during my PG...between it being a surprise PG, the fact that we had JUST gotten married, stress at work, a death in the family, etc etc Toward the end of my PG, stress got to me real bad and my hair started falling out (stress induced alopecia).

But Jake is SUCH a good baby. He has such a good temperament that DH and I are constantly saying we have no idea where he got it from because neither one of us are as laid back as he is.

HOWEVER, I did not stress about PG related stuff. I wasn't one of those overly freaked out pg women who won't even look at chocolate b/c it has a molecule of caffeine in it, those who worry about miscarrying every second of the day, etc etc. That's not good for you either. Of course everyone worries about those things to a certain extent and it's totally normal, and I'm not saying I didn't at all, I'm just saying I didn't take that kind of stuff to an extreme. For the most part, I was very relaxed in regards to the baby's development and the progress of the pregnancy.

But, it has been shown (watch "In the Womb" on the Discovery Channel - it's a must-see) that babies DO feel the mom's stress in the womb. When you get stressed, your body releases chemicals or different levels of hormones (don't remember exactly which) that cross through the placenta and the baby can taste them and does in fact receive them in some way.

There is a delayed reaction too. Like it may take 5 - 10 mins after the incident that stressed you and then you'll suddenly feel increased activity from the baby. At least that's the way the show explained it - like I said, it's a must-see.


I think ultimately, yes the baby does feel stress in the womb. Will it affect his temperament in the long run? IMO, doubtful because I feel genetics takes the stronger role there.

Re: odd kinda question

Thanks Sandra for the info!