Some studies have shown that high levels of stress in pregnancy may cause certain problems during childhood, such as trouble paying attention or other mental health conditions. It's possible that stress also may affect your baby's brain development or immune system.
Too much stress can cause you to have trouble sleeping, headaches, loss of appetite, or a tendency to overeat—all of which can be harmful to you and your developing baby. High levels of stress can also cause high blood pressure, which increases your chance of having preterm labor or a low-birth-weight infant.
Depression isn't the only mental health factor that can influence pregnancy outcomes. High levels of stress during pregnancy may also be connected to autism in children. This connection appears to have the most impact when the parent experiences stress between weeks 25 and 28 of pregnancy.
Infants whose mothers experienced high levels of stress while pregnant, particularly in the first trimester, show signs of more depression and irritability. In the womb, they also are slower to "habituate" or tune out repeated stimuli -- a skill that, in infants, is an important predictor of IQ.
The vast majority of maternal disabilities stem from health complications that are a direct result of pregnancy or childbirth. These “direct causes” include severe bleeding, infection, obstructed or prolonged labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure), and unsafe abortion (see Table 1).
Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain drugs during pregnancy. Having certain medical conditions, such as being obese or having uncontrolled diabetes before and during pregnancy. Taking certain medications, such as isotretinoin (a drug used to treat severe acne). Having someone in your family with a birth defect.
If you're very sad, or suffering from depression, your baby experiences those feelings as well. Your emotional state affects your baby's development for a significant portion of their life. Depression is a serious, but treatable, condition that can have a serious impact on your unborn baby.
Babies in the womb can pick up on some sounds, visuals, and emotions. A mother's stress can lead to the release of stress hormones, like cortisol, which may impact the baby's in utero development.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Babies born to mothers with depression but not prescribed antidepressants are 54.9% more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than those born to mothers without depression.
A growing number of studies have indicated that psychological distress experienced by the mother — in the form of stress, anxiety, or depression — is associated with alterations in fetal brain development.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
Stress results in increased catecholamine production, which in turn leads to decreased uterine blood flow and increased fetal hypoxia. Animal studies indicate that hypoxia affects a variety of developmental processes (eg, cell death)29 and organ systems, which could result in various types of birth defects.
Crying during pregnancy can also greatly affect the development of the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women should keep a relaxed and happy mood, participate in prenatal classes or yoga classes for pregnant women.
Studies have shown that infants as young as one month-old sense when a parent is depressed or angry and are affected by the parent's mood. Understanding that even infants are affected by adult emotions can help parents do their best in supporting their child's healthy development.
There is evidence that maternal and foetal cortisol levels are correlated especially in more anxious or depressed mothers. If the mother is anxious or depressed, this can alter the function of the placenta in a way that allows more cortisol to pass through to the foetus.
When you feel happy and calm, it allows your baby to develop in a happy, calm environment. However, emotions like stress and anxiety can increase particular hormones in your body, which can affect your baby's developing body and brain.
Maternal stress during pregnancy increases the risk of the child having a range of altered neurodevelopmental outcomes. The stress can be of different types, and at least for some outcomes, there seems to be a linear dose response effect.
Genetic screening can help diagnose the potential for certain genetic disorders before birth. First trimester screening is a combination of fetal ultrasound and maternal blood testing. This screening process can help determine the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects.
Tests used to diagnose birth defects may include amniocentesis (also called amnio). This test takes some amniotic fluid from around your baby in the uterus (womb) to check for birth defects and genetic conditions in your baby. You can get this test at 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.