The stress level during pregnancy and its impact on maternal-fetal health

Introduction. Maternal stress affects both the mother’s well-being and the development of the newborn, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and perinatal complications.Objective. To investigate how maternal stress influences the pregnant woman’s mental health and neonatal para­me­ters, focusing on the relationship with symptoms of de­pres­sion and anxiety. Methodology. The assessment of stress (PSS), de­pres­sion (EPDS), and anxiety (STAI), along with neonatal data. Results. No statistically significant correlations were found between maternal stress levels and neonatal pa­ra­me­ters such as birth weight (χ²=2.20; p=0.33; df=2), ges­ta­tio­nal age (χ²=0.76; p=0.38; df=1), newborn length (χ²=1.92; p=0.38; df=2), Apgar score (χ²=1.22; p=0.27; df=1), or type of delivery (χ²=3.09; p=0.08; df=1). However, a significant association was observed between high stress levels and the presence of depressive (χ²=11.46; p=0.00071; df=1) and anxious (χ²=29.68; p=0.0000000509; df=1) symptoms in pregnant women. Conclusions. Although it did not direc­tly affect the baby’s health, maternal stress negatively im­pac­ted the emotional state of the pregnant women, high­lighting the essential role of psychological monitoring and the involvement of general practitioners in referring patients to specialized support.