Your Pregnancy Stress Becomes Baby's Stress
As parents, we all share one fundamental desire: to give our children the best possible start in life. Yet even with the best intentions, many families today are noticing more and more challenges to children’s health. From allergies and asthma to ADHD and autism, parents are often left wondering: Is there anything we can start doing now, even before birth, to help support our child’s development and wellbeing?
The encouraging news is yes, and it begins with understanding the vital role your baby’s nervous system plays during pregnancy.
The Perfect Storm: A Common Pattern
In chiropractic offices across the country, many parents share stories that follow a remarkably similar path:
Fertility challenges and stressful pregnancies
Medical interventions during birth (such as induction, epidural, forceps, vacuum, or C-section)
Babies experiencing colic, digestive concerns, sleep struggles, or latching difficulties
Children later facing challenges with focus, attention, or emotional regulation
This cascade of experiences is often referred to as The Perfect Storm, a combination of stressors that may influence both mother and baby’s nervous system development
Understanding Your Nervous System: The Foundation of Health
Many people think hormones are the main factor in a healthy pregnancy. But it’s important to take a step back and recognize what actually coordinates every system in the body: the nervous system.
The Autonomic Nervous System: Your Body’s Control Center The autonomic nervous system has two main branches that work together to keep the body in balance:
The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): Fight or Flight
Activates during times of stress or perceived danger
Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension
Prepares the body for quick action
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): Rest, Regulate, and Digest
Promotes relaxation, recovery, and healing
Slows heart rate and enhances digestion
Supports immune function and restoration
In a healthy state, both systems work in harmony, allowing the body to adapt to different situations. When the nervous system becomes stressed or overactive, however, that balance can shift, making it harder for the body to regulate and recover.
The HPA vs. HPG Axis: Why Balance Matters
When the nervous system is under prolonged stress, it can affect the way the body regulates hormones. This may show up as irregular cycles, fertility challenges, or uncomfortable menstrual symptoms. Two important systems play a role here:
1. The HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal)
Activates during times of stress
Releases cortisol and other stress hormones
When overactive, can influence reproductive function
2. The HPG Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal)
Produces reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
Supports conception and helps sustain a healthy pregnancy
When stress is ongoing, the HPA axis can take priority over the HPG axis, making it harder for the body to maintain reproductive balance. Both systems are vital — but ideally, the body knows when to activate a stress response and when to shift into rest and restoration.
How Your Stress Becomes Baby's Stress
Here’s something many parents don’t realize: the umbilical cord is not only a pathway for nutrients and oxygen, it also serves as a “power cord” connecting your nervous system with your baby’s developing one. This means your growing baby is influenced by the stress patterns and emotional state you experience during pregnancy.
In a lot of ways, your nervous system provides a blueprint for your baby’s nervous system to learn from. When stress is high and the sympathetic system stays activated for long periods, that pattern can be reflected in your baby’s development. On the other hand, when your nervous system can regularly shift into calm and restoration, it provides a more balanced environment for your baby to grow and thrive.
Your Baby's Nervous System Development Timeline
Understanding when your baby's nervous system develops can help you understand the importance of supporting your own nervous system health throughout pregnancy:
First Trimester
Week 3: Nervous system begins to form
Weeks 5-8: Major organs develop
Week 6: Sympathetic nerves (involved in social development) begin to form
Second Trimester
Weeks 13-16: Bones and muscles develop
Week 17: Cerebellum begins to form
Week 26: Vagus nerve myelination occurs
Third Trimester
Weeks 29-32: Immune system develops
Weeks 33-36: Rapid brain development occurs
Week 37: Autonomic nervous system fully develops
Week 40: Vagus nerve and immune system mature
Taking Control: Tools for Growing Healthy Babies
The good news is that you may have more influence than you realize. While not everything is within your control, you can help set your body up to be more resilient and adaptable throughout pregnancy.
Prioritize Preconception Care
Laying a strong foundation before conception can support a healthier pregnancy:
Focus on balanced nutrition that nourishes the nervous system
Incorporate regular, appropriate exercise
Practice stress-management techniques
Seek gentle, natural support through chiropractic care
Address existing health concerns with your healthcare team
Build Your Support Circle
Surround yourself with a birth team and environment that make you feel supported and empowered:
Choose providers who respect your values and encourage informed decision-making
Consider additional professionals such as midwives, doulas, pelvic floor therapists, or lactation consultants
Explore prenatal chiropractic care focused on nervous system support
Connect with other birth professionals who can offer guidance along the way
Support Your Nervous System During Pregnancy
Throughout pregnancy, prioritize activities that bring balance to your nervous system:
Practice deep breathing or meditation
Engage in gentle, pregnancy-appropriate movement
Make rest and quality sleep a priority
Stay connected with supportive friends and family
Include chiropractic care that emphasizes nervous system function
The Role of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
Neurologically-focused chiropractic care can support both mother and baby by helping the body:
Improve nervous system function
Adapt more effectively to stress
Support immune balance
Encourage optimal pelvic and fetal positioning
Create a more comfortable pregnancy experience
At ChiroHouse, we use advanced technology like Neurological INSiGHT Scans to assess how the nervous system is functioning and highlight areas that may benefit from additional support. These non-invasive scans allow us to create a personalized care plan tailored to your individual needs, no matter where you are in your prenatal journey.
Your Baby’s Health Starts Before Birth
The foundation of your baby’s health begins long before their first breath. By understanding the importance of nervous system development and taking proactive steps to support both your own and your baby’s neurological health, you can create a stronger foundation for lifelong wellbeing.
Every baby and every pregnancy is unique. While not every challenge can be prevented, families often find that focusing on nervous system care creates a more supportive environment for healthy development. If you’re in the Ottawa area, we’d love to connect with you here at ChiroHouse. If you’re not local, you can also explore the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.
Your baby’s nervous system is shaped by yours, and caring for your own neurological health is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your growing child.
