Effect of maternal stress on mode of delivery and birth outcomes of newborns an observational study

Women often experience certain events or situations during their pregnancies known as pregnancy-related stress. Numerous factors can promote stress during pregnancy, such as physical health issues like illness and discomfort, changes in lifestyle, insufficient social support, unintended pregnancies, low income, shifting roles, hormonal and physiological changes, and expectation of childbirth, and violence from partners before and after pregnancy. Pregnancy is a critical time for neurodevelopment of newborns; it is an exceptionally delicate time. Over this period, it has been found that several stress-related events in mothers can have long-term consequences on an infant’s behavior and brain development, which may have an effect on both mental and physical health. In previous studies, information is focused on postpartum stress and its effects on mother’s health and infant’s development. But this study focuses on maternal stress during/throughout the pregnancy. Studying the effect of maternal stress on mode of delivery and birth outcomes of newborns is crucial for several reasons as maternal stress can influence fetal development through physiological pathways, such as hormonal changes, which can impact the growth and development of the fetus. High maternal stress levels are associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Early life stress exposure can have long-term effects on a child’s health, including cognitive development, behaviour, and susceptibility to chronic diseases. Understanding these links can help in developing long term strategies for child health and development.