Did Khloe Kardashian give birth early and did stress play a part?

Khloe Kardashian has reportedly given birth to a baby girl. And while that is undoubtedly happy news, the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s arrival have been difficult to say the least.

Earlier this week Khloe’s boyfriend Tristan Thompson was caught up in a scandal after he was reportedly spotted locking lips with a woman who was not his pregnant girlfriend.

While accusations about your partner allegedly cheating are going to be upsetting at any time, when you’re nine-months pregnant you can just imagine the impact it could have on your mental, not to mention physical health.

Although it isn’t known exactly how many weeks pregnant Khloe was, it was believed the ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star wasn’t due to give birth until later this month.

But while the reality star’s early delivery could have been a pure coincidence (according to the NHS around eight out of 100 babies will be born prematurely), fans have been speculated whether the stress of the last week could have brought on early labour.

So how exactly does stress affect pregnancy and can going through a difficult period cause mums-to-be to go into premature labour?

“Mild stress is not actually thought to initiate labour but the onset of labour is quite complex, and it is thought that many hormones are involved in the initiation of contractions,” explains Mr Ian Currie, consultant gynaecologist at BMI The Chiltern Hospital in Buckinghamshire.

“It is therefore not unreasonable to think that severe stress and anxiety might have an effect although it is not proven.”

According to Doctify’s Dr Anne Henderson, where possible stress should be avoided in pregnancy, but particularly in late pregnancy.

“The stress hormones, otherwise known as ‘fight or flight’ hormones, can trigger the onset of labour,” she explains.

“This is particularly the case for adverse stress such a bereavement or divorce. It may be nature’s way of ending the pregnancy to allow the woman to focus fully on the stressful event, bizarre though that may sound!”

And there are some other risks associated with stress in pregnancy.

“The most significant risk physicians consider is the risk of high blood pressure brought, which can cause a premature labour and/or low birth weight baby,” explains Doctify‘s Dr Baul.

According to Currie, emotional stress can impact in several ways.

“When there is an acute emotional response in the body, adrenaline is released. This can elevate blood pressure and occasionally lead to medical intervention,” he adds.

And stress during a period when pregnant women are often feeling anxious anyway is only going to add to the effects.

“First time mums are often coming to the peak of their stress as they approach motherhood for the first time. Coping with a new baby, financial implications of being off work, body image etc all add to stresses,” Ian Currie explains.

So what do pregnant women need to watch out for if they are feeling stressed?

“Signs and symptoms can include increased tightenings, gastric upset, membrane rupture and in rare cases, bleeding,” Dr Henderson continues.

“The stress hormones also cross the placenta and can affect the baby, resulting in a change in movement pattern as well.”

The birth of Khloe’s baby daughter may have come at a difficult time for the reality TV star, but hopefully she is still able to find a way to enjoy those precious first moments of new motherhood.

Feeling stressed is horrible at any time, and finding a way to find your inner calm not always easy. But it’s important. Not just for Khloe, but for her new baby as well.

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