It is time to Netflix & Chill. But can you watch scary movies while pregnant?
Do you love horror movies and things that go bump in the night? Does the thrill of jump scares excite you?
These may be your guilty pleasure, and you may be itching to watch the latest one on your list.
However, being pregnant can put a pause on that for the foreseeable future.
So, can you watch scary movies while pregnant? Here are a few things that you need to consider.
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Can you watch scary movies while pregnant?
Scary movies are not expressly prohibited when you are pregnant.
However, it is best to exercise caution and just wait until you give birth before watching a scary movie.
While there is no definitive scientific proof that watching scary movies while pregnant is harmful to your child, it is still important to put your child first.
Watching scary movies can play havoc on your hormones.
Your hormones are already over the charts when pregnant, and cause your baby a lot of trauma.
That’s because you might be causing your baby undue stress as your body processes the fear induced by the movie.
No matter how often you watch scary movies, you will always experience an adrenaline surge as a response to fear.
It raises your blood pressure, increases your heart rate, and makes your breathing faster.
You may not be able to monitor these all the time.
But these are some of the things expectant mothers are advised to keep in check for their unborn baby’s health.
Your emotions will also heighten during pregnancy, so you’ll feel things even more intensely than before.
All this stress gets transferred to the baby, which can lead to some developmental issues later on.
A lot of stress on the mother can also cause premature labor or even a stillbirth.
It is best to note that this can only result from prolonged exposure to being scared while pregnant, as opposed to watching the occasional scary movie for a few hours at a time.
That is why most doctors would not recommend watching scary movies while you are pregnant.
If you must watch scary movies while pregnant, try to do it at home where you can control your surroundings.
That includes getting the right snacks, being able to go to the bathroom whenever you feel like, and pausing the movie if it gets to be a bit too much.
Going to a cinema may seem like a good idea, but it will be very chaotic for you in your current state.
Not only do you have to deal with having to go around lots of people, but you may also be seated somewhere where you don’t have a good or can’t get up quickly when needed.
The loud noises and scares can also disturb your baby in the womb due to all movement and stimulation.
You’re likely to feel this when your baby keeps moving around.
You may be unable to find an excellent spot to relax for a while.
This usually starts happening when you’re three months pregnant and the baby’s senses have begun developing.
Most mothers wonder if you can watch scary movies while pregnant, it can be a bit of a grey area.
It is a personal decision that you should make for yourself.
When you need to keep in mind is your emotional stability when watching the movie and how that can affect your baby.
At the end of the day, your baby should be the most important factor when deciding whether or not to watch scary movies while pregnant.
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Iesha is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. She’s an active parent who enjoys indoor and outdoor adventures with her family. Her mission is to share practical and realistic parenting advice to help the parenting community becoming stronger.
