Influence of maternal stress during pregnancy and child outcomes

Abstract

Prenatal stress is an overwhelming concern in pregnancy-related care. The mother exposed to prenatal stress poses the fetus at the risk of developing many adverse health conditions. It is estimated that around 10%–20% of pregnant women suffer from mental health concerns during the perinatal period. History dates back to the tragic 1961 Thalidomide tragedy which cautions both the individual and the health professionals about pregnancy-related care. Multiple mechanisms have been put forth to link the relationship between the indwelling fetus and the carrying mother. Of them, the “Barker hypothesis” suggests the role of perinatal conditions in influencing the development of diseases in the later life of the child. Mental health issues are a growing concern during pregnancy. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of smoking, alcohol abuse, and illicit drug use among pregnant women, which has been shown to adversely affect the fetus. In the 21st century, environmental stressors are a looming threat that has now been shown to affect the pregnant population. These data emphasize the need to consider early environmental life events as etiological factors for adverse child outcomes. This review summarizes the history, background, causes of maternal stress, and the ways to improve them.