Study: A stressful pregnancy reduces the chances of having a boy
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 16-10-2019
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According to the researchers, physically stressed mothers, with higher blood pressure and caloric intake, were more likely to give birth prematurely than unstressedmothers. Psychologically stressed mothers had more birth complications than physically stressed mothers, the study said.
An estimated 30 per cent of pregnant women report psychosocial stress from job strain or related to depression and anxiety. Such stress has been associated with increased risk of premature birth, which is linked to higher rates of infant mortality and of physical and mental disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety, among offspring.
When social support was statistically equalised across the groups, the stress effects on pre-term birth disappeared, the study added.