It’s important, both for ourselves and our babies that we are as healthy as possibly throughout and heading into our pregnancy, and new research has proven just how much this can impact on our little ones.
According to a study carried out at the University of California-Los Angeles, women who suffer with severe stress are more likely to give birth to babies who weigh less at birth.
Alarmingly, the researchers found that this statistic is the same regardless of whether the stress is endured before or during the pregnancy.
For the purposes of this study, the team took a baby of 5lbs 8oz to be a child of low birth weight.
As part of the study, the team looked at the data of 142 women participating in another community child health study. They then looked specifically at how severe stress impacted upon the mothers and their babies.
While the mothers’ stress levels were measured through monitoring their blood pressure and cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone) levels, the babies’ levels were analysed through saliva samples taken at three different stages – six months, one year, and 18 months.
Through the study, the research team were able to connect higher cortisol levels linked to stress with the delivery of a baby of low birth weight.
Not surprisingly money, relationships and family deaths were among the biggest sources of stress for these new mothers.
Warning women to ensure that their stress levels don’t get too high before and during pregnancy, one study author advised: “Women should treat depression, evaluate and treat stress, be sure they are in a healthy relationship, be physically active, stop smoking and gather family support. All of the things that create an optimal pregnancy and healthy life for the mother should be done before getting pregnant."
Do you think it would be possible, in modern times, to ensure this?
