🤰A little more on maternal stress ⤵️ . Note: this is not medical advice and is for educational purposes only. . Stress is a natural response the human body is designed to handle; however prolonged stress and chronic stress has negative physiological effects on the human body. . 👉🏼 Hormonal Changes: Maternal stress triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Elevated levels of cortisol, over a prolonged period, can affect the functioning of the placenta, which plays a crucial role in providing nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. Disruption in the hormonal balance can lead to altered growth patterns in the fetus and may contribute to long-term health issues. . 👉🏼 Increased Risk of Preterm Birth: Maternal stress is associated with an increased risk of preterm labor and delivery. Chronic stress activates the body’s inflammatory response, which may trigger contractions and premature labor. Additionally, stress hormones can interfere with the normal functioning of the uterus, leading to early onset of labor. Preterm birth poses significant health risks for the fetus, including respiratory distress, neurological complications, and developmental delays. . 👉🏼 Impaired Immune Function: Maternal stress can weaken the mother’s immune system, making her more susceptible to infections. Furthermore, stress hormones can cross the placenta and affect the fetal immune system, potentially impairing its ability to fight off infections. This increased vulnerability to infections during pregnancy can have adverse effects on fetal health, increasing the risk of complications such as intrauterine infections. . 👉🏼 Epigenetic Changes: Maternal stress during pregnancy can induce epigenetic changes in the fetus, altering the expression of genes without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Studies have shown that maternal stress can modify the activity of genes involved in regulating stress response, immune function, and metabolism, increasing the risk of diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and mental health disorders in the offspring. . ✅ Save & share if you found this interesting! . #fetus #pregnancy #stressrelief