Maternal stress in pregnancy and after birth: risks and support in Spain

So, you’re pregnant – congrats! This transformative time encompasses so many feelings in a short time: joy, anticipation and, to a certain extent, stress. Many women face unknown physical and emotional demands during the nine months of pregnancy and beyond. According the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are prevalent in around 15–21% of pregnant and postpartum women.  

What is maternal stress?

Maternal stress refers to the stress experienced by a mother during pregnancy, childbirth, or even while raising children and encompasses emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Maternal stress can come in many forms and depend largely on each individual and her situation.  

Here are common maternal stressors:

• Psychological:  Many mothers experience anxiety about their health and the baby's, as well as the upcoming changes to their body and lifestyle – and this stress comes around practically from the beginning of the pregnancy. Other factors could include fears about parenting abilities and caring for a newborn, how relationships will change, finances, and work-life balance. 
• Hormonal influx:  Changes in hormones during the gestational period can make some mother more sensitive to stress; in some cases, this could lead to anxiety or depression, postpartum. 
• Physical Strain:  Pregnancy and childbirth place significant physical demands on the body, which can lead to stress due to fatigue, hormonal changes, and pregnancy and labor pain. 
• Social and Environmental Stress:  The demands of childcare, especially with limited support, lack of sleep, financial concerns, or challenges in relationships, can increase maternal stress. 

You may also be experiencing  a high-risk pregnancy  and need to manage your symptoms for yours and the baby’s wellbeing – including maternal stress.  

How does maternal stress affect my pregnancy?

Maternal stress, especially high levels of prolonged stress during the pregnancy, can influence the development of the fetus. There are both physical factors, such as premature birth or low birth weight, as well as emotional and behavioral health for both mother and baby.  

Some of the key physical effects of maternal stress for the mother include:

• Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and heart rate
• Immune system suppression and susceptibility to illness
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Increased risk of gestational diabetes
• Sleep disturbances
• Hormonal imbalance, particularly higher levels of cortisol

Managing stress through support, lifestyle adjustments, and professional guidance can significantly improve health outcomes for both mother and child.

Warning signs of maternal stress to watch for

Emotional signs

• Feeling constantly overwhelmed, irritable, or angry.
• Uncontrollable anxiety or guilt.
• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or tearfulness.
• Emotional numbness or detachment.

Physical signs

• Constant fatigue or exhaustion, but trouble sleeping.
• Headaches, muscle tension, racing heart or panic-like symptoms
• Getting sick frequently, stomach problems and changes in appetite.

Cognitive signs

• Difficulty concentrating or remembering.
• Constant worry about your baby or family.
• Unable to make decisions.
• Racing thoughts, intrusive or distressing thoughts.

Behavioral signs

• Withdrawing from family or friends or snapping at them.
• Crying frequently.
• Avoiding baby care or daily tasks.
• Increased use of alcohol, nicotine, or other substances.
• Over-controlling behaviors driven by anxiety.

 If you are experiencing symptoms that are interfering with you functioning normally in daily life, seek medical or mental health support urgently.  

How Caser health insurance supports maternal mental health in Spain 

Caser’s comprehensive family coverage via the Integral Family plan and the Prestigio Family plan will help care for your entire brood – including the baby you’re expecting. Having a baby means that you’ll have a seemingly endless agenda full of tests and appointments before delivery, as well as considering if you want to engage antenatal classes, an epidural or anesthetia during childbirth and what to bring in your hospital bag! Rest assured that Caser’s coverage will take care of the medical aspect of pregnancy and childbirth.

When engaging a health insurance plan, be sure to use a cost calculator to find the baseline coverage, and then add any additional care elements you may need. Also keep in mind if you would like to pay a higher monthly cost for no co-pays or engage co-pays, keeping in mind the level of care you will need.

Let’s begin with the popular Integral plan, perfect for families. Most importantly, you’ll have access to Caser’s battery of qualified medical professionals around the clock with the flexibility of co-payments or not. Aside from general medicine and a number of specialities included, you can also take advantage of a number of specialty medicine. When speaking about family planning, this plan includes infertility diagnoses and treatment, prenatal classes and post-natal care Plus, the coverage includes 20 individual psychology sessions per insured person per year to help manage your maternal stress. All of this on top of the 24-hour telehealth options, reimbursement for medication and more.

Looking for a bit more? Choose the Prestigio plan. Not only can you choose your own doctor, you’ll never worry about surprise expenses – Prestigio covers your co-pays.

Frequently Asked Questions about maternity coverage with Caser

Can I take out coverage while pregnant?

 Yes, though you will need to check your coverage details to see if you qualify for coverage on important diagnostic tests during pregnancy, procedures hospitalization and other treatments from Day 1. This is called a “periodo de carencia”, or grace period. Discover information about Caser grace periods.  

Can my newborn be a part of my Caser coverage?

Yes; if you have been a policy holder for at least eight months, you can add your little bundle of joy to your current plan within 15 days.

How to manage maternal stress effectively 

Clearly, managing stress ahead of an enormous life change should be a priority, both for you and the baby. Some easy, practical ways to handle stress are:

• Practice Relaxation Techniques,  such as deep breathing and meditation, daily. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply or even focus on tensing or untensing muscles from head to toe. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided meditation practices. 
• Stay active through regular exercise. Activities that are excellent for pregnancy include walking, prenatal yoga, or gentle stretching, though if you’ve already been active, you can likely modify what you already do. Apart from mood-boosting hormones, exercise while pregnant is also a way to increase energy, relieve joint pain and maintain a healthy weight.
• Choose activities that are safe for pregnancy and always consult with your doctor, especially when beginning a new form of exercise.  
• Don’t forget to get enough rest! Fatigue only exacerbates stress, so getting a full night’s sleep and reducing things like screentime can help you cope. And don’t be afraid of short naps during the day – your body will tell you what you need!  
• Eat a balanced diet full of fiber and protein and stay hydrated. Eating smaller portions and drinking plenty of water can combat both fatigue and mood swings. Be sure to reach for whole foods – Spain has plenty of healthy dishes to choose from!  
• Connect with others. Whether it’s supportive friends and family, or other expectant mothers, being with others can help you cope with your new feelings while reducing isolation. Check in your area for prenatal classes or pregnancy or new parent groups.
•  Find a therapist to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms, as an alternative. Many therapists specialize in maternal mental health, too.  
• Set boundaries and prioritize self-care. Taking care of yourself will allow you to take care of a newborn, so get in the practice now of accepting help or setting firm boundaries – you can say no. Identify what you enjoy doing to promote mental health and reduce stress – reading, taking a walk, drawing a warm bath or whatever you like to do will help.
• Practice Mindfulness and enjoy the little moments in your pregnancy. While it might feel like a long journey, it goes by quickly in many cases. Take time to notice the flutter of a kick, to listen to the baby’s heartbeat or to imagine what the baby will look like with your partner.

By planning ahead and managing any symptoms that arise, you can have a healthy, fulfilling pregnancy. Here’s wishing you just that!