Trauma, Toxic Stress, and ACEs

There are several hormones that can impact your mood during pregnancy. Most women notice changes in their first and third trimesters.

Depending on your level of sensitivity, you may or may not see significant changes. Postpartum, your body stops making these hormones which can also impact your mood.

Remember, this is not something you can control and it's not your fault.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about hormonal sensitivity during or after pregnancy.

Personal or family history of a mood disorder, like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, is the strongest predictor of having a maternal mental health condition.

Other health factors also play a role. Your Endocrine System is responsible for releasing hormones and can impact your mood. This is why health conditions like Diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, PMS, and Thyroid Dysfunction can have mood related side effects.

Of course, any chronic health conditions or fetal diagnoses can also affect your mood. It is always important to tell your healthcare provider if you are feeling overwhelmed.

You can also check out our RESOURCES and CARE CONNECTOR to access additional support.

Past experiences can naturally create anxiety about our ability to successfully transition to motherhood. Here are a few examples:

• Child Abuse or Neglect

• Domestic Violence

• History of Suicidal Ideation or Attempts

• Infertility

• Negative Healthcare Experiences

• Pregnancy or Infant loss

If you are experiencing uncomfortable feelings or worries that you can't control, it is important to reach out for support. You are not alone.

Check out our CARE CONNECTOR to access mental health support.

All new parents hope for a baby that will sleep and eat on a semi-regular schedule and not be troubled by gas and the dreaded colic.

Unfortunately, whether or not your child needs to cluster feed, sleep in 20 minute increments or have a strong digestive system is entirely up to chance.

Parents who experience one or more of these challenges in the first weeks or months of bringing baby home may have a more difficult time adapting to parenthood. And that is OK!

This is a time when support systems are critical. Having someone who can come in and relieve you from the stress of lack of sleep or frustration of having an inconsolable baby is part of self care.

Since infants don’t develop strong attachments until after 6 months of age you don’t need to worry about baby knowing the difference between you, your mom, or friend.

Check out BUILD A SUPPORT TEAM to plan for one or more of these unexpected challenges.

Chronic life stress is not the same as everyday stress to meet a deadline, or juggle parenting. Chronic stress is insidious and hard on our bodies, minds and souls.

Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by chronic life stress.

Food access, public transportation, poverty, proximity to good jobs, frequent crime, unsafe or unstable housing, and access to services in your language all impact your experience of chronic life stress.

Being in toxic relationships or experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse; lack of support can also impact chronic life stress and result in difficulties with substances, mental and physical health.

Community Organizations that support pregnant and parenting families are an excellent source of support. Check out our RESOURCES page to learn more.

Experiences of racism and oppression have profound effects on our lives. It leads to mistrust of systems and people who represent that lived and transgenerational trauma.

When trauma is triggered, this activates our fight, flight, or freeze response. If you are in a constant state of stress, it can be difficult to get your needs met, but you are not responsible to create the changes necessary to be seen.

There is hope! The Dignity in Childbirth law was passed to ensure providers become aware of their own implicit bias and impact this has on your health.

To learn more click here

Epigenetics is the study of how the environment and other factors can change the way that genes are expressed. -

Articles:

Can the legacy of trauma be passed down the generations?

Toxic stress starts with adverse childhood experiences (ACES). This includes ongoing exposure to violence, abuse, or neglect; witnessing violence in the home or community, and having a family member attempt or die by suicide. Other risk factors include growing up in a household where someone has substance use problems, mental health problems, or instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison.

Children who experience early life toxic stress are at greater risk of developing unhealthy responses to stress that impact relationships, coping skills, lifestyle choices, and increase risk of substance abuse, mental and physical health conditions.

ACEs and toxic stress are linked to a higher risk of various health conditions in both children and adults, referred to as ACE-Associated Health Conditions. Individuals with six or more ACEs have a life expectancy that is 19 years shorter than those with none.

Screening tools:

https://www.acesaware.org/learn-about-screening/screening-tools/

Stress busters:

https://www.acesaware.org/managestress/

Learn more:

https://www.acesaware.org/ace-fundamentals/the-science-of-aces-toxic-stress/

Trauma-Informed Network of Care Roadmap:

https://www.acesaware.org/provide-treatment-healing/for-clinicians-and-practices/

Check out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) video on how to stop the cycle of toxic stress.