Regina is pregnant and has heard that maternal stress during pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn baby. She is generally calm and happy, but becomes a little upset when her favorite basketball team loses and wonders if she should stop watching basketball until her baby is born. What should she do?
◦ Regina should either quit watching basketball or start rooting for a better team. Maternal stress at any level has been found to have harmful consequences on prenatal development.
◦ Regina should keep following her favorite team. Maternal stress has been found to have a positive, stimulating effect on an unborn child.
◦ As long as Regina doesn't get too upset and stressed when her team loses, she should keep watching basketball. Although excessive stress may harm prenatal development, mild anxiety is not thought to have any harmful consequences on prenatal development.
◦ Regina should do whatever she wants to do. Even high levels of stress do not appear to be related to prenatal development.
A pregnant lioness (right)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pregnancy Categories
Transformation of a Women's Body During Pregnancy
Walking is one form of exercise that is safe for most pregnant women
Pineapples carry harmful insect shell insects, safe to eat?
The Pregnant Uterus