IMPACT OF STRESS DURING PREGNANCY ON CHILD OUTCOME

The effect of the environment of the foetal in the womb and how it affects long term outcomes of the infant is termed foetal programming. Foetal programming in simple terms refers to the way in which the environment in the womb can affect the development of the foetus and thereby can have a permanent effect on the child.
Stress is one of the major factors that affects the environment of the foetus and research has shown that that the weight of the baby is greatly affected by stress the mother goes through during pregnancy whether emotional stress, aniexty, or depression, Research has also shown that smaller babies are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease in their 70s than their bigger counterparts.
Emotional stress, aniexty and depression  of about 15% affects the development of the foetal brain and has an increased risk on the later life of the infant.
Exposure that have been shown to be associated with altered child outcomes varys from very severe stress such as the death of an older child, to quite mild stresses such as daily hassles. They include symptoms of maternal anxiety, pregnancy anxiety and daily hassles, bereavement and stress due to relationship problems with partner.
A no of studies has identified an impact of stress during pregnancy on neurodevelopmental functioning on the neonatal behavioural assessment scale; and psychopathological outcomes of infants and toddlers e.g difficult temperament, sleep problems and lower cognitive performance, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Every potential mother should avoid as much stress as they can during prgnancy to avoid long term negative outcomes on their Infants.
Many are not away of this effects that is why I have decided to share this piece which I am learning from a course am taking online on Babies mind, it's really an awesome opportunity for me. I hope this will be helpful.