Gynaecologists have warned pregnant women against prolonged exposure to stress, cautioning that excessive physical, emotional and financial pressure during pregnancy could increase the risk of premature births, low birth weight and other complications affecting both mothers and their unborn babies.
The specialists explained that persistent stress could contribute to high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, poor sleep and unhealthy eating habits, all of which may negatively affect maternal health and pregnancy outcomes.
They particularly raised concerns about pregnant women struggling with financial difficulties, demanding work schedules, long commuting hours and the pressure to combine business or professional responsibilities with the physical demands of pregnancy.
The experts gave the warning in separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, stressing that pregnant women need adequate rest, proper nutrition, emotional support and regular medical attention throughout pregnancy.
They also called on employers to introduce pregnancy-friendly working arrangements, including lighter duties, flexible working hours, shorter shifts and regular breaks for meals and hydration.
According to the specialists, women should not be forced to choose between earning a living and protecting their health and that of their unborn children.
The warning comes against the backdrop of the 2026 International Stress Awareness Week, observed from November 2 to 6, under the theme, ‘Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace.’
A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Abubakar Panti, explained that pregnancy is a period when a woman’s physical, emotional and psychological well-being requires particular attention.
He noted that the prevailing economic situation has made life increasingly challenging for many pregnant women, especially those dealing with financial insecurity, demanding jobs, long journeys to work and the pressure to sustain their businesses or careers.
According to him, prolonged stress can affect both the mother and the developing baby, particularly when it is accompanied by inadequate sleep, poor nutrition and missed antenatal appointments.
Panti explained that excessive stress may manifest through persistent headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability and emotional distress.
He warned that when stress becomes prolonged, it could influence the pregnancy environment and increase the possibility of premature delivery and low birth weight.
The professor also identified antenatal anxiety and depression, poor maternal mental health, unhealthy lifestyle changes and inadequate prenatal care as other concerns associated with persistent stress.
He therefore advised pregnant women not to ignore their health challenges or continue working under conditions that expose them to unnecessary physical and emotional pressure.
Panti further cautioned pregnant women against dismissing unusual symptoms, particularly persistent exhaustion, headaches, severe abdominal pain, dizziness and fainting.
He identified regular painful contractions, vaginal bleeding and leakage of fluid as warning signs requiring urgent medical attention.
Other symptoms he highlighted include blurred vision, sudden swelling of the face and hands, severe breathlessness, chest pain, depression and reduced or absent foetal movement.
The specialist advised women experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention rather than assuming they were ordinary pregnancy discomforts.
On managing workplace stress, Panti encouraged pregnant women in paid employment to discuss flexible working hours, lighter responsibilities or remote working arrangements with their employers where possible.
He also advised them to take regular breaks, particularly when their jobs require prolonged standing or sitting, and to avoid excessive overtime and physically demanding assignments.
He recommended planning meals, carrying affordable nutritious snacks and drinking enough water during working hours.
For self-employed women, traders and business owners, the professor suggested reducing unnecessarily long working hours, delegating responsibilities to trusted family members and creating opportunities for rest during the day.
He also encouraged pregnant women to attend antenatal appointments regularly, practise relaxation techniques, engage in gentle exercise and use breathing exercises where medically appropriate.
Panti further stressed the importance of emotional support from spouses, relatives and friends, while advising pregnant women to prepare realistic household budgets and prioritise essential expenses.
Emphasising the importance of rest, he noted that pregnant women should aim for adequate nighttime sleep, take short breaks during the day and avoid unnecessary long walks that could result in physical exhaustion.
He maintained that women who must continue working or trading for financial reasons should consider alternating demanding tasks, sitting whenever possible, negotiating their schedules and seeking assistance with household responsibilities.
The professor called for collective action by government agencies, employers, healthcare providers, families and communities to ensure that pregnant women can remain economically productive without compromising their health.
Also speaking, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Stanley Egbogu, warned that prolonged or excessive stress during pregnancy could have consequences for both the mother and the unborn child.
He explained that excessive stress could raise blood pressure and contribute to anxiety, headaches and insomnia.
According to him, stress may also affect eating habits, causing some pregnant women to lose their appetite and eat inadequately, while others may resort to overeating.
Egbogu further explained that prolonged stress could affect the flow of blood and the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby, potentially slowing its growth and resulting in low birth weight.
He added that persistent stress could also affect aspects of the baby’s development, including brain development, and might be associated with irritability and sleeping difficulties after birth.
The specialist attributed some of these effects to increased production of cortisol, a hormone released by the body in response to stress, which he said could pass through the placenta to the developing baby.
He, however, distinguished occasional stress from prolonged exposure lasting several weeks or months, explaining that sustained pressure presents greater concerns for pregnancy outcomes.
Among the possible complications he identified were pre-eclampsia, low birth weight and premature delivery. He also noted that severe stress could trigger early contractions and, in some cases, miscarriage.
Addressing the financial difficulties confronting many pregnant women, Egbogu advised them to prepare simple and realistic budgets covering essential expenses such as food, transportation and antenatal medicines.
He encouraged women to explore available support at primary healthcare centres, where some antenatal medicines and supplies, including folic acid and mosquito nets, may be provided at subsidised rates or free of charge.
The gynaecologist also urged pregnant women to seek assistance from trusted relatives, friends and co-workers instead of attempting to manage every financial challenge alone.
He explained that women who require financial assistance for essential medical services, including ultrasound scans or transportation to antenatal appointments, should clearly communicate their immediate needs when requesting support.
On managing stress, Egbogu recommended seven to eight hours of nighttime sleep, alongside short afternoon naps where possible.
He also advised pregnant women to take short walks, spend time in fresh air, speak with trusted people about their concerns and reduce excessive exposure to distressing news on social media.
The consultant further encouraged women to reduce their workloads and delegate responsibilities, including shopping for baby supplies and other household activities, to trusted family members.
He advised them to set realistic and achievable daily goals, recognise their progress and draw strength from their support networks.
The specialists also placed responsibility on employers to ensure that pregnant employees are not exposed to unnecessary workplace pressure.
Egbogu urged organisations to assign pregnant workers less demanding responsibilities and allow colleagues to assist them when necessary.
He suggested that pregnant employees could be transferred to departments or sections where lighter duties are available, while employers should consider shorter working hours and remote work arrangements where appropriate.
He also called for night shifts to be avoided where possible and urged employers to respect medically prescribed periods of bed rest.
The experts maintained that pregnancy should not become a period in which women are forced to endure excessive physical demands or financial pressure at the expense of their health.
They stressed that adequate support from employers, families, healthcare professionals and society remains important in helping women navigate pregnancy safely.
Their message is that protecting maternal health requires more than regular hospital visits. It also involves creating supportive homes and workplaces where pregnant women can obtain adequate rest, maintain proper nutrition, manage stress and receive assistance when needed.
