A new study has found that maternal caregiving can revere any impact that pregnancy stress had on the fetus while in the womb. Going through pregnancy is always going to be an overwhelming time for a woman, and while she is pregnant, life continues to happen. That means that she can endure stress and times of sorrow in her life that can further impact her mental health and wellbeing. There have been studies and reports did that show that stress during pregnancy can have an impact on a developing fetus, it is important to work on resources and strategies that can help mitigate some of that.
According to Medical Xpress, a new study was done that is showing that maternal caregiving when the baby is born can help reduce some of the effects that stress can cause on a developing fetus. This study was published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and can be read in full here.
The study is suggesting that being sensitive when caring for a newborn baby, can help “erase” the negative effects of stress during pregnancy. The study involved 94 pairs of mothers and infants.
It showed that the levels of the primary stress hormone, cortisol, were lower in babies who experienced a mother who was more emotionally available to them. While this emotional response may be easy for a lot of new moms, there are moms who struggle with feeling “maternal” and who may be dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, and/or psychosis. This study may be another highlight on how important it is to make sure that new moms have access to resources and support to help them through the fourth trimester.
Sarah Nazzari is the lead author of the study and she stated that these findings provide some clear insights into how the professional world should look at new mothers. That mothers who had high stress during their pregnancy, for whichever reason, should be the target for interventions to help them cope after birth and bond with their baby if they are having a hard time. There is evidence that stress during pregnancy can impact a child’s development as they grow and this is the best way to make sure that a new mom and her baby are supported. This is also an important reminder to new moms, or mom-to-bes, out there that may be struggling to care for their newborn that they need to reach out for support if they feel like they are having a difficult time.
Sources: Medical Xpress, Wiley