Nervous System Regulation During Pregnancy and the Role of INSiGHT Scans
Pregnancy is a time of significant physical, hormonal, and emotional change. Alongside these changes, the nervous system plays an important role in how the body adapts.
Some research suggests that a mother’s physiological state—including stress responses and nervous system activity—may influence aspects of the developing baby’s environment. This is often referred to as co-regulation.
Rather than being another source of concern, this can be an opportunity to better understand and support your well-being during pregnancy.
The Nervous System in Pregnancy
The nervous system helps regulate many key functions, including:
Stress responses
Sleep cycles
Hormonal signalling
Immune system activity
During pregnancy, systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (stress response) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis (reproductive hormones) adapt to support both mother and baby.
When stress is ongoing, the body may spend more time in a heightened “fight or flight” (sympathetic) state, rather than a “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) state.
Prolonged periods of reduced nervous system adaptability may be associated with:
Sleep disruption beyond typical pregnancy discomfort
Increased stress or anxiety
Changes in immune function
Hormonal fluctuations influencing mood and energy
Increased muscle tension and physical discomfort
These experiences are relatively common in pregnancy and can have multiple contributing factors.
The Vagus Nerve and Regulation
The vagus nerve is a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system and contributes to:
Heart rate regulation
Digestive function
Aspects of emotional regulation
Measures such as heart rate variability (HRV) are often used to reflect vagal activity and overall nervous system adaptability.
Lower HRV or reduced vagal tone has been associated in research with:
Reduced capacity to adapt to stress
Changes in digestion
Altered stress response patterns
Co-Regulation During Pregnancy
Co-regulation refers to the way a baby’s developing systems are influenced by the maternal environment during pregnancy.
The fetus is not directly experiencing emotions in the same way as the mother, but is exposed to physiological signals such as:
Hormonal changes (including stress hormones like cortisol)
Heart rate patterns
Nutritional and metabolic factors
Research suggests that ongoing maternal stress may be associated with differences in:
Infant stress responsiveness
Early sleep and settling patterns
Emotional regulation tendencies
There is also emerging evidence that maternal autonomic nervous system activity may influence
What Are INSiGHT Scans?
INSiGHT Scans are non-invasive assessments that aim to measure aspects of nervous system function. They are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement for medical care.
They typically include:
Thermal Scan
Assesses temperature patterns along the spine, which may reflect autonomic nervous system activity.
Surface EMG (Electromyography)
Measures muscle activity and may indicate areas of increased muscle tension.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Evaluates variation between heartbeats, commonly used as an indicator of stress and adaptability.
These scans may provide insight into how the body is responding to stress at a given point in time. These scans are non-invasive and do not involve radiation. They are generally considered minimal risk.
Summary
The nervous system plays an important role in how the body adapts during pregnancy. Research into co-regulation suggests that the maternal physiological environment may influence aspects of early development, although many factors contribute to outcomes.
Non-invasive tools like HRV and other assessments may provide insight into stress and adaptability, but should be used within a broader, evidence-based approach to care.
Focusing on overall well-being remains the most important foundation for both mother and baby.