Patient's question:
I am 4 months pregnant. During my pregnancy, my emotions have sometimes been unstable, and I have had a few instances of losing my temper and crying. I would like to ask the doctor if such emotional instability could cause fetal abnormalities, such as cleft lip and palate, for example.Doctor's answer:
Poor emotional state during pregnancy may lead to miscarriage. Human emotional changes are related to the limbic system of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus. Emotional fluctuations indirectly affect the relative stability of the endocrine system. Intense emotions such as anger, fear, and panic can disrupt the balance between the cerebral cortex and subcortical regulation, placing the body in a state of stress. This disrupts the original stable state, causing disturbances in the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, especially altering the levels of progesterone, which can affect normal pregnancy.When a pregnant woman is in a long-term state of stress, her progesterone levels may decrease, leading to poor placental development, which is unfavorable for placental growth. At the same time, the sympathetic nervous system of the autonomic nervous system promotes uterine contractions in pregnant women. The uterus is highly sensitive at this time, and even slight stimuli can trigger contractions, potentially causing miscarriage.
For the baby's health, it is important to remain open-minded and not be overly concerned with trivial matters. When encountering unpleasant situations, think about the baby in your belly. For his healthy development, it is necessary to restrain yourself.