Repercussions of Stress during Pregnancy and Beyond

Abstract

Stress, anxiety and depression are the disorders of brain but these affect even unborn child (foetuses). Various phobias affect expecting mothers. All these happen due to stress hormone Cortisol which is secreted during stress. This along with cortisol and other stress hormones lead to endocrine disorders like Graves’ disease, gonadal dysfunction, psychosexual dwarfism and obesity. Stress can also alter the clinical status of many preexisting endocrine disorders such as precipitation of adrenal crisis and thyroid storm. Stress during pregnancy changes hormonal milieu which affect the fetal environment and results in inflammatory conditions that have implications for maternal and infant health.