Expectant mothers have been advised to actively manage stress to protect themselves and their babies from serious health complications, including premature delivery and low birth weight. Maternal health specialists explained that chronic physical and mental strain can trigger hypertension, anxiety, depressive symptoms, poor sleeping patterns, and poor feeding habits during pregnancy.
According to a report by Punch Healthwise, the experts noted that heavy workloads, long commutes, and tough economic conditions often make it difficult for women to rest, buy needed medications, and keep up with their clinic schedules. The caution coincided with 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."
Abubakar Panti, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, explained that ongoing stress significantly disrupts a pregnant woman's body and mental state. He pointed out that prolonged strain can cause muscle tension, severe exhaustion, constant headaches, and difficulty staying focused.
Panti warned that severe stress can affect the womb's environment, raising the likelihood of early labour and developmental issues for the baby. He urged working women to approach their employers for lighter tasks, shorter working hours, flexible schedules, or remote options where possible.
The fertility specialist also called on employers to provide adequate hydration and meal breaks, stressing that no woman should feel pressured to sacrifice her pregnancy to earn a living. For traders and self-employed women, he suggested reducing long business hours, delegating duties to trusted relatives, and avoiding heavy physical exertion.
Expectant mothers were advised to treat rest as a basic necessity rather than laziness. Panti encouraged women to get enough night rest, take short pauses during the day, do gentle exercises, and attend all antenatal appointments.
He further cautioned women never to ignore severe warning signals such as sudden swelling of the hands and face, blurred vision, fainting spells, heavy headaches, intense chest pain, breathlessness, bleeding, fluid leaks, or a drop in the baby’s movements.
