Maternal stress during a pregnancy seems to have its greatest impact if it occurs
A) early in the prenatal period.
B) close to the time of delivery.
C) from time to time, rather than being a continuous state.
D) at a low but constant level throughout the pregnancy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research suggests that maternal stress during the early stages of pregnancy can have the most significant impact on prenatal development. This is because the early stages of pregnancy are a critical period for the formation and development of the baby's organs and systems. Stress during this time can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones and chemicals necessary for healthy development. Stress later in pregnancy, closer to the time of delivery, may have other effects such as premature birth or lower birth weight, but the impact on the baby's organ development is less significant. Meanwhile, maternal stress that occurs on a continuous or chronic level may have a cumulative effect, but research suggests that acute and severe stress during the early stages of pregnancy is most concerning.

Maternal Stress During a Pregnancy Seems to Have Its Greatest