Long-Term Stress During Pregnancy Affects Baby’s Health
Managing stress during pregnancy is critical not only to the mother’s health but also to her baby’s. In the research carried out by University of Zurich, stress during pregnancy can affect the baby’s health as cortisol (stress hormones) go through the amniotic fluid and absorbed by the foetus.
Long-term stress impacts foetus’ health
When a woman is exposed to stress during pregnancy, a small amount of stress hormone – corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) – enters the amniotic fluid and foetal metabolism. This is somewhat beneficial as this hormone can boost the development of the unborn child. However, when exposed to the stress hormone for so long, this increase can also have negative consequences, according to the new study.
The study involved 34 healthy pregnant women, who took part in amniocentesis within the scope of prenatal diagnostics. Participants took part in a test which constitutes a stress situation for the expectant mother as her body secretes cortisol in the short term. To determine whether the placenta also releases stress hormones, the researchers compared the cortisol level in the mother’s saliva with the CRH level in the amniotic fluid – and determined that there was no connection.
But the effect seems to be different when the mums were exposed to prolonged stress. The researchers found that the higher concentration of stress hormone in turn accelerates the growth of the foetus. As a result, the effect of the hormone on growth is confirmed, as has been observed in animals such as tadpoles: If their pond is on the verge of drying out, CRH is released in tadpoles, thereby driving their metamorphosis.
Researchers advise pregnant women to seek support from a therapist to better handle their stress. This way, they are not only protecting their body, but their baby’s health too.
Source of this article:
Statins may shield unborn babies from mother’s stress, study suggests
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