Pregnancy stress leads to coordination problems in children during adolescence: study

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Australian researchers found that children born to women who have experienced pregnancy stress due to traumatic circumstances, such as death of a family member or friend, dire financial straits or marital problems, may grow up to be clumsier or have less body coordination. The study on maternal pregnancy stress and their children's motor development was detailed in the journal Child Development.

For the study, researchers surveyed nearly 3,000 mums-to-be during their 18th and 34th week pregnancy. Their children were then tested thrice at ages 10, 14 and 17. The researchers tested the childrens' locomotor movements including hand strength, walking a straight line, and standing on one foot.

They found that children who were born to mothers who experienced more than three stressful events had lower motor development than the rest of their peers. According to Live Science, there is a significant gap in motor development between children born to mothers who were relatively stress-free during gestation and mothers who experienced more than three stressful events. Additionally, the phenomenon was more pronounced on children with mothers who experienced stress late in their pregnancies as it is associated with the formation of the cerebellar cortex, the one responsible for motor skills.

According to the researchers low motor development in children can hinder them from doing important daily tasks such as running, throwing or writing. It has also been associated with short and long-term mental and physical health consequences. However, intervention and support can help improve them.

The study does not show whether the results of the study can really impact those who have low motor development. According to Dr. Andrew Adesman of New York's Cohen Children Medical Center, the ability to stand on one foot may not matter so much when they grow up.

"Given our findings on the importance of mothers' emotional and mental health on a wide range of developmental and health outcomes, programs aimed at detecting and reducing maternal stress during pregnancy may alert parents and health professionals to potential difficulties and improve the long-term outcomes for these children," said Beth Hands, co-author of the study from the University of Notre Dame Australia, via EurekAlert.

However, pregnant women suffering from postnatal depression or maternal stress can reduce the strain by undergoing gentle exercise and other stress-reduction techniques.

 "Screening for postnatal depression occurs in most antenatal clinics in Australia. This cost-effective model could be used to screen for maternal stress throughout pregnancy as part of regular clinic visits," said Tegan Grace, co-author of the study.