Prenatal stress may impact baby’s brain development: study

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, excitement, and change — but it can also be a source of significant stress.

While mild stress is common, prolonged or intense stress during pregnancy could pose risks to both mother and baby, according to a new study.

Researchers have found that high levels of prenatal stress may influence the baby's brain development even before birth. Specifically, stress experienced by the father was linked to changes in small RNA molecules in the blood of newborns, particularly in female infants. These findings add to growing evidence that emotional and physical well-being during pregnancy can have lasting effects on the child.

Stress during pregnancy is not just a mental health issue — it can trigger a range of physical complications.

Elevated stress levels are known to increase blood pressure, raising the risk of conditions such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. It may also contribute to premature labor or low birth weight.

The hormone cortisol, which spikes during periods of high stress, can cross the placenta and influence the fetus. Prolonged exposure may be linked to developmental delays, attention problems, or behavioral issues in childhood.

*Common signs of stress during pregnancy include difficulty sleeping, persistent headaches, increased heart rate, rapid or shallow breathing, heightened anxiety or irritability, intrusive or obsessive thoughts, and difficulty unwinding or relaxing.